Emil Welti
Dive- Early Life and Education
- Political Career
- Federal Council Member
- Multiple Terms as President
- Later Career
Early Life and Education
Emil Welti was born in Zurzach, Switzerland, on April 23, 1825. He was the eldest of nine children of Jakob Welti, a judge and member of the Grand Council of Zurich, and his wife, Anna. His paternal grandfather, Abraham Welti, had served as a member of the National Assembly of the Helvetic Republic.
Welti attended school in Zurzach and then studied law at the University of Jena in Germany and the University of Berlin. He graduated in 1844 and returned to Switzerland to practice law.
Political Career
In 1856, Welti was elected to the Grand Council of Aargau and became a member of the cantonal government. From 1858 to 1859, he served as head of the cantonal government. In 1860, he was elected president of the Council of States of the Swiss Parliament.
Welti served as head of the Aargau cantonal government again from 1862 to 1863 and from 1866 to 1867. In 1866, he was again elected president of the Council of States.
Federal Council Member
On December 8, 1866, Welti was elected to the Swiss Federal Council. He served as head of the Military Department from 1867 to 1868 and from 1870 to 1871. He also served as vice-president of Switzerland in 1868 and 1871.
In 1869, Welti was elected president of Switzerland. He also served as head of the Political Department (Foreign Minister) that year.
Multiple Terms as President
Welti was elected president of Switzerland again in 1872, 1876, 1880, 1884, and 1891. He served as head of the Military Department from 1873 to 1875 and as head of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs in 1877 and 1878. He also served as vice-president of Switzerland in 1874, 1879, 1883, and 1890.
Later Career
From 1881 to 1882, Welti served as head of the Department of Justice and Police. In 1882 and 1883, he served as head of the Department of Posts and Railways.
Welti stepped down from the Federal Council on December 31, 1891. He died in Bern on February 24, 1899.
