Gustav Altherr (Speicher, August 28, 1870 - Faith, April 18, 1954) was a Swiss politician.
Gustav Altherr was an old entrepreneurial family. He followed education in Trogen and then followed a training as a merchant in a embroidery factory in Sankt Gallen. Afterwards he was the director of the parental embroidery factory in Speicher. In 1924 he resigned as director and devoted himself completely to politics since then.
Gustav Altherr was a member of the Progressive Burger Party (the Department of the Liberal Democratic Party in the Canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden). He belonged to the right wing of this party. From 1897 to 1908 he was an elder (Gemeinderat) in Speicher and from 1901 to 1908 he was also Mayor (Gemeindehauptmann). From 1899 to 1917 he was a member of the Canton of the Canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden and from 1918 to 1943 he was a member of the Government Council of the Appenzell Ausserrhoden canton. He subsequently managed the Department of Education (1918-1921) and then the Department of Finance (1921-1943). In the latter position, he pursued a punitive fiscal policy during the crisis years (30s). From 1931 to 1935 he was also a member of the National Council (Parliamentary Chamber of Assembly).
Gustav Altherr was from 1924 to 1927, from 1930 to 1933 and from 1936 to 1939 he was Regerende Landammann (ie government leader) of the Canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden.
Other positions held by Altherr: Chair of the Cantonal Tax Commission (1921-1934), Chairman of the Cantonal Insurance Commission (1934-1943), Board member of the St. Galler-Appenzeller Kraftwerke (1931-1942) and President of the Trogenerbahn (1928-1950).
Gustav Altherr died at the age of 83, on April 18, 1954 in Trogen. Also see
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