Gustavus A. Finkelnburg

Born on April 6, 1837, near Cologne, Prussia,[1] Finkelnburg immigrated to the United States in 1848 with his parents, who settled in St. Charles, Missouri.[2] He attended St. Charles College, then graduated from the Cincinnati Law School (now the University of Cincinnati College of Law) in 1859.[1] He was admitted to the bar and entered private practice in St. Louis, Missouri starting in 1860.[1] He served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.[1] He was a member of the Missouri House of Representatives from 1864 to 1868, serving as Speaker pro tempore in 1868.[1]

Finkelnburg was elected as a Republican from Missouri's 2nd congressional district to the United States House of Representatives of the 41st United States Congress and as a Liberal Republican to the 42nd United States Congress, serving from March 4, 1869 to March 3, 1873.[2]

Finkelnburg received a recess appointment from President Theodore Roosevelt on May 20, 1905, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri vacated by Judge Elmer B. Adams.[1] He was nominated to the same position by President Roosevelt on December 5, 1905.[1] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 12, 1905, and received his commission the same day.[1] His service terminated on March 31, 1907, due to his resignation.[1]

Finkelnburg died on May 18, 1908, in Denver, Colorado.[1] He was interred in Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis.[2]

• United States Congress. "Gustavus A. Finkelnburg (id: F000129)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Gustavus Adolphus Finkelnburg at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.