# William Seeger *German American soldier, politician and immigration official who served as Minnesota State Treasurer* William Seeger (May 12, 1810 – May 22, 1888) was born in Germany and worked as a soldier, politician and immigration official in [[Minnesota]]. He held two posts in the state treasury: deputy state treasurer from 1867 to 1871, and then, after his election as a Republican in 1871, the fourth [[Minnesota State Treasurer]] from 1872 to 1873.[^1] In 1873 he resigned as treasurer. Wikipedia's lead says the resignation followed an indictment on embezzlement charges.[^1] He later headed the Minnesota Board of Immigration.[^2] He died in 1888 and is buried in Saint Paul.[^3] ## Early life and career Seeger was born on May 12, 1810, in Lauenburg, in Schleswig-Holstein.[^4] Wikipedia cites the Minnesota Historical Election Archive for two dates: he came to the United States in 1852 and settled in [[Minnesota Territory]] in 1856.[^4] Wikipedia names him with [[William Pfaender]] and A. Prieser among the founders of [[New Ulm, Minnesota]], in 1856. It also lists him among the early residents of [[St. Peter, Minnesota]], where he worked as a brewer.[^4] During the American Civil War, Seeger enlisted in the Union Army on August 19, 1862. He entered Company D of the [[9th Minnesota Infantry Regiment]] as a sergeant, under Captain [[Asgrim Knutson Skaro]].[^5] That company served as the military guard at the [[1862 Mankato mass execution]].[^5] He was discharged for disability on February 28, 1863.[^5] From 1867 to 1871 Seeger was deputy to State Treasurer [[Emil D. Munch]].[^6] In 1871 he ran for treasurer as the Republican candidate. In the election of November 7, 1871, he defeated Democrat Barney Vosberg and Prohibition Party candidate William L. Mintzer. Wikipedia gives his share as 60.41 percent of the vote and his margin of victory as 21.00 percent.[^6] In 1873 the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]] indicted Seeger and the [[Minnesota Senate]] investigated him. Wikipedia describes the subject of both as embezzlement of state funds and "corrupt misconduct."[^6] The same section says he resigned before he could be charged, and that [[Edwin W. Dyke]] replaced him.[^6] The article's lead puts it differently: it says he resigned after an indictment.[^1] Both versions are given here as the source states them. Seeger was then put in charge of the Minnesota Board of Immigration. Wikipedia credits him with a leading part in founding a colony of Mennonites who had emigrated from Russia.[^2] ## Death Seeger died of dropsy (edema) on May 22, 1888. He was buried in [[Oakland Cemetery (St. Paul, Minnesota)]] in [[Saint Paul, Minnesota]].[^3] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - William Seeger, born May 12, 1810, in Lauenburg, Schleswig-Holstein.[^4] - Minnesota deputy state treasurer, 1867–1871, under Emil D. Munch; fourth Minnesota State Treasurer, 1872–1873, elected as a Republican.[^1][^6] ### What - Won the 1871 treasurer election with 60.41 percent of the vote and a margin of victory of 21.00 percent.[^6] - 1873: indicted by the Minnesota House of Representatives and investigated by the Minnesota Senate over embezzlement of state funds; resigned and was replaced by Edwin W. Dyke.[^1][^6] - Later placed in charge of the Minnesota Board of Immigration.[^2] ### When - Emigrated to the United States in 1852; moved to Minnesota Territory in 1856.[^4] - Enlisted August 19, 1862; discharged February 28, 1863.[^5] - Won the treasurer election on November 7, 1871.[^6] - Died May 22, 1888.[^3] ### Where - New Ulm and St. Peter, Minnesota; buried at Oakland Cemetery, Saint Paul.[^3][^4] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *William Seeger* (lead section, revision 1350398959, retrieved 2026-10-25) — terms as deputy and fourth State Treasurer; resignation following a 1873 indictment. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Seeger [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *William Seeger* ("Early life and career," final paragraph, revision 1350398959, retrieved 2026-10-25) — charge of the Minnesota Board of Immigration; Mennonite colony. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Seeger [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *William Seeger* ("Death," revision 1350398959, retrieved 2026-10-25) — date and cause of death; burial at Oakland Cemetery, Saint Paul. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Seeger [^4]: Wikipedia contributors, *William Seeger* ("Early life and career," first paragraph, revision 1350398959, retrieved 2026-10-25) — birth, emigration dates (attributed to the Minnesota Historical Election Archive), New Ulm and St. Peter. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Seeger [^5]: Wikipedia contributors, *William Seeger* ("Early life and career," second paragraph, revision 1350398959, retrieved 2026-10-25) — enlistment, Company D of the 9th Minnesota, Mankato guard duty, discharge. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Seeger [^6]: Wikipedia contributors, *William Seeger* ("Early life and career," third paragraph, revision 1350398959, retrieved 2026-10-25) — deputy appointment, 1871 election result, 1873 indictment and investigation, resignation, successor. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Seeger