p. 984
WILLIAM E. TRAUTMANN. It has been given Mr. Trautmann to attain to precedence as one of the representative members of the bar of his native county, and he has been engaged in the practice of his profession in the city of East St. Louis, the metropolis of St. Clair county, since 1895. Here also he has built up a large and successful enterprise in the handling of real estate, and he is known as one of the alert, progressive and public-spirited citizens of the county which has been his home from the time of his birth to the present. He represented the county in the lower house of the state legislature for four successive terms, and he has added materially to his professional prestige through his able and effective service in the responsible office of United States district attorney for the eastern district of Illinois, _a position which has brought him to the forefront in many important litigations and in which his versatility and admirable professional powers have been effectually proved.
William Emil Trautmann is of staunch German lineage and is a scion of one of the sterling old families of St. Clair county. He was born at Caseyville, this county, on the 16th of August, 1872, and is a son of Frederick and Dorothea (Deck) Trautmann. After completing the curriculum of the public schools Mr. Trautmann was afforded the advantages of McKendree College. He gave most careful attention to
p. 985
preparing himself for his chosen profession and was admitted to the bar of his native state in 1894. He forthwith established an office in East St. Louis, where he has followed the work of his profession, with unequivocal success, during the intervening years and where he has also been actively identified with the real-estate business since 1895.
Well fortified in his convictions as to matters of public polity and aligned as a staunch and effective advocate of the principles and policies of the Republican party, Mr. Trautmann has given yeoman service as an active worker in behalf of the party cause. His eligibility for offices of public trust was early recognized, and in 1898, when but twentysix years of age, he was elected to represent his native county in the state legislature. That he made an excellent record during his initial term in the lower house needs no further evidence than that given by the fact that he was chosen as his own successor in 1900, as was he also in the elections of 1902 and 1904, so that his service extended throughout four successive terms. In the general assembly he was a staunch supporter of progressive policies, wise economy in appropriations and other fiscal affairs, and liberality in the furtherance of enterprises and measures tending to conserve the best interests of the state and its people. On the 24th of May, 1905, there came further and distinctive recognition of the professional ability and sterling character of Mr. Trautmann in that he was appointed United States district attorney for the eastern district of Illinois, which office he still holds. In this important position his administration has amply demonstrated his selection for the office. In 1905 Mr. Trautmann was given significant proof of the high esteem in which he is held in his home city, as he was made the nominee of his party for the office of mayor of East St. Louis. He made an admirable record at the polls, but, owing to various political exigencies, was defeated, though this was compassed be only two hundred and forty-nine votes.
Mr. Trautmann is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias, and other fraternal and social organizations. He married on the 25th of November, 1910, Miss Evelyn L. Kinne, of Bloomington, Illinois, a daughter of Mary White Kinne.