Emil Frey

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Emil Johann Rudolf Frey (October 24, 1838 - December 24, 1922) was a Swiss politician, soldier in the American Civil War and member of the Swiss Federal Council (1890–1897).

[edit] Early life

Frey was born in Arlesheim, Switzerland, as the son of Emil Remigius Frey. His father was liberal separatist politician.

Frey's family provided refuge for Friedrich Hecker when he fled the repression following the revolution in Germany in 1848. He later emigrated to the USA arriving in Belleville, Illinois an area with many Forty-Eighters, veterans of the 1848 revolutions in Europe. For a while he worked for Hecker, but they had a falling out.[1]

[edit] Career during the American Civil War

Frey entered the unionist 24th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment‎ as a private. Hecker was his commander, and they became friends again, with Frey sharing a tent with Hecker's son. Frey was made ensign and later rose to the rank of colonel, raising the 81st Illinois Regiment. He was taken prisoner and held in Libby Prison for eighteen months before being exchanged for Captain Gordon, a confederate prisoner under sentence of death.[2]

[edit] Swiss politician

After the Civil War, Frey returned to Switzerland. From 1866 to 1872, he was a member of the cantonal government of Basel-Country. In 1870, he married Emma Kloss (1848-1877) with whom he had five children.

In 1872, Frey was elected to the Swiss National Council, council he presided in 1875/1876.

From 1882 to 1888, Frey was the first ambassador (Minister) of Switzerland to the United States in Washington.

He was elected to the Federal Council of Switzerland on December 11, 1890 and handed over office on March 31, 1897. He was affiliated to the Free Democratic Party. During his office time he held the Military Department.

He was President of the Confederation in 1894.

From 1897 to 1921, Frey was director of the International Telegraph Union.[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ II Formation and Enlistment by Ray W. Burhop, accessed 10 December 2007
  2. ^ 'Receiving the Swiss Minister: Col. Frey receiving the congratulations of his countrymen' New York Times, 20 November 1882
  3. ^ ITU: ITU's Former Secretaries-General

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Jakob Stämpfli		 President of the Swiss National Council
1875/1876		 Succeeded by
Arnold Otto Aepli
Preceded by
Bernhard Hammer		 Member of the Swiss Federal Council
1890–1897		 Succeeded by
Ernst Brenner