Frederick Henry Mueller (November 22, 1893 – August 31, 1976) was a U.S.
cabinet officer. He served as the
United States Secretary of Commerce
The United States secretary of commerce (SecCom) is the head of the United States Department of Commerce. The secretary serves as the principal advisor to the president of the United States on all matters relating to commerce. The secretary rep ...
from 1959 until 1961, during the administration of President
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower (born David Dwight Eisenhower; ; October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969) was an American military officer and statesman who served as the 34th president of the United States from 1953 to 1961. During World War II, ...
.
Early life
Mueller was born in
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the second most-populated city in the state after Detroit. Grand Rapids is the ...
, the son of Emma Matilde Oesterle and furniture manufacturer John Frederick Mueller.
Education
He graduated from
Michigan State University in 1914, with a bachelor's degree in
mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is the study of physical machines that may involve force and movement. It is an engineering branch that combines engineering physics and mathematics principles with materials science, to design, analyze, manufacture, an ...
.
Career
Upon his father's retirement, he became president of the family business.
Prior to joining the Eisenhower administration, Mueller served in multiple posts at the
Department of Commerce. In 1956, Mueller was charged with the heading of the Division of Domestic Affairs, and in 1958, he was elevated to deputy secretary, the number two position in the bureau.
Personal life
He married the former Mary Darrah on November 6, 1915; they had two children, Marcia Joan and Frederick Eugene Mueller.
Death
Mueller died in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on August 31, 1976, at age 82. He is interred in Graceland Mausoleum in Grand Rapids.
References
External links
Papers of Frederick H. Mueller, Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library
Politicians from Grand Rapids, Michigan
United States Secretaries of Commerce
1893 births
1976 deaths
Michigan State University alumni
Eisenhower administration cabinet members
20th-century American politicians
American people of German descent
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