Balthasar Henry Meyer

Balthazar Henry Meyer (May 28, 1866 - February 9, 1954) was a civil servant and professor of economics and sociology of the United States. He served for 28 years as a member of the Interstate Trade Commission. Meyer was born near Mekuon, Wisconsin, the son of Henry and Louie (Wiepking) Meyer. He studied at the Oshkosh State Normal School, receiving a bachelor's degree, and then received two degrees, including a doctorate in 1897, at the University of Wisconsin, after completing his thesis at the University of Berlin in 1894-95. He taught at the school from 1884 to 1886. He was the principal of schools in Fredonia, Wisconsin, from 1887 to 1889. He was the principal of a high school in Port Washington, Wisconsin, from 1889 to 1892. After receiving his degree, he remained in Madison to become a sociology instructor. He was promoted to associate professor in 1899 and to the professor of political economy in 1900. There he taught the first insurance course in the United States. He married Alice Elizabeth Carleton of Wowatos, Wisconsin, on August 29, 1901.