William I. Traeger

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (March 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

William I. Traeger
Traeger in 1933
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 15th district
In office March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1935
Preceded by	None (New district)
Succeeded by	John M. Costello
26th Sheriff of Los Angeles County
In office 1921–1932
Preceded by	John C. Cline
Succeeded by	Eugene W. Biscailuz
Personal details
Born	(1880-02-26)February 26, 1880 Porterville, California, U.S.
Died	January 20, 1935(1935-01-20) (aged 54) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Alma mater	Stanford University

William Isham Traeger (February 26, 1880 – January 20, 1935) was an American

Traeger was born in Porterville, California,^[1] the oldest of five children of Augustus Traeger, a blacksmith who had migrated from Wisconsin in 1872, and his wife Martha Ellen (Dunn) Traeger, who had migrated from Arkansas in 1874. William attended elementary and high schools in Porterville,^[1] also assisting his father in his trade; Martha Traeger died in 1895. Traeger served during the Spanish–American War as a private and corporal in the 6th California Volunteer Infantry from May 11 to December 15, 1898.^[1]

College

After the war, Traeger studied law at

In 1902 Traeger moved to Los Angeles, where he helped in various athletic departments, leading Pomona College's football team to a 3–2 record in 1902 and coaching at Occidental College the following year. He served as a deputy United States Marshal from April 1903 through 1906 and as a deputy sheriff for Los Angeles County from January 1907 to 1911.^[1]

He also worked for a general contracting company. While a deputy marshal, he married Alice Collier, who died in 1908 from tuberculosis.

Law school and USC coaching

Traeger attended law school at the

Traeger was admitted to the bar in California in 1909, and began private practice. In 1911, be began serving as deputy clerk for the Supreme Court of California, a position he would hold until 1921.^[1] During World War I he enlisted in the Army and served at an officer's training camp.

In 1921, Traeger was appointed Sheriff of Los Angeles County; he was elected to 4-year terms in 1922, 1926 and 1930, serving until December 1932. During his time in office, he reorganized the county jail, established the county's honor camps for first-time misdemeanor offenders, and started the employment contact office which helped prisoners find employment after their release. In 1929 he became the first president of the Los Angeles County Peace Officers' Association.

Congress

In 1932,

Death

Traeger died at age 54 of a liver disorder at the Wadsworth Hospital in Los Angeles, two weeks after leaving office; he had become ill in late December. He was survived by his second wife, the former Ruth McAllister, a schoolteacher he had married in 1912, and by one daughter from each marriage.^[3]

Traeger was interred at Rosedale Cemetery, Los Angeles.^[1]

Electoral history

Head coaching record

College

References