William H. Dieterich

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William Henry Dieterich (March 31, 1876 – October 12, 1940) was an American lawyer and Democratic politician from Illinois. He served as a state lawmaker, a U.S. Representative, and a U.S. Senator.

He was born near Cooperstown, Illinois. He studied at Kennedy Business College (1897) and Northern Indiana Law School (1901), was admitted to the bar, and began practicing in Rushville, Illinois. He served in the Spanish–American War as a corporal. He held local roles including city attorney for Rushville (1903–1907); treasurer of Rushville Union Schools (1906–1908); and county judge of Schuyler County (1906–1910). In 1911 he moved to Chicago, then in 1912 to Beardstown, where he continued his law practice.

In 1916 he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives and served from 1917 to 1921. In 1930 he was elected U.S. Representative from one of Illinois' at-large seats, serving from 1931 to 1933. He declined re-nomination to the House in 1932 and ran for the U.S. Senate, defeating incumbent Otis Glenn 52% to 46%. He served as a U.S. Senator from 1933 to 1939. He did not seek re-election in 1938 and returned to his law practice.

He died in Springfield, Illinois on October 12, 1940, during a business trip, at age 64.