11 Facts About Jonas Furrer

Jonas Furrer was a Swiss lawyer and politician who served as a member of the Federal Council, from 1848 to 1861, and as the first president of the Swiss Confederation from 1848 to 1849, and again in 1852,1855 and 1858.

Jonas Furrer was one of the leading figures in the foundation of Switzerland as a federal state.

Jonas Furrer received his early education in his hometown, and in 1824 went to study law at the University of Zurich.

Jonas Furrer soon continued his studies in Heidelberg, and between 1825 and 1826 studied at the University of Gottingen.

Jonas Furrer was admitted to the bar in 1832, and that year he married Friederike Sulzer, daughter of Johann Heinrich Sulzer.

Jonas Furrer served until 1839, and was again elected in 1842.

In 1847, Jonas Furrer was appointed member of the commission tasked with reaching a peaceful settlement for the Sonderbund War.

Jonas Furrer served as Federal Councilor from 1848 until his death in 1861.

Jonas Furrer resolved the question regarding stateless persons, enacted a law in 1850 protecting religiously mixed couples, and founded government agencies responsible for settling conflicts of jurisdiction between the Confederation and the cantons.

Jonas Furrer was a member of the masonic Lodge Akazia at Winterthur, and was elected Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge Alpina of Switzerland in 1844.

Jonas Furrer wrote Das Erbrecht der Stadt Winterthur.