Judge Albert Pfau was for more than four decades one of the most prominent figures in the legal and civic life of Mankato. His death in February 1918 came as a profound shock not only to his friends in the city, but throughout Minnesota, where he had long been recognized as a jurist of distinction and a public servant of uncommon integrity.

He was born February 14, 1847, in Prussia, Germany. In 1849 his parents set sail for America seeking a better future, but both died during the voyage. Orphaned before reaching shore, young Albert and his siblings arrived in New York Harbor alone. He was taken in and raised by friends in New York State, where he received his education and studied law in the office of Judge R. S. Hart. His early hardships instilled in him a resilience and determination that marked his entire life.

In 1868 he removed to Wisconsin, where he was admitted to the bar, and the following spring he came to Mankato—a city that would remain his home for the rest of his life. From the outset, Pfau quickly established himself as a lawyer of marked ability, known for his quick, vigorous prosecution of cases and his ready grasp of legal principles. His practice extended beyond Mankato into surrounding counties, and he served as local attorney for both the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway and the Chicago & North Western Railway companies.

Public confidence in him was reflected in repeated elections to office. He served seven years as County Attorney of Blue Earth County, one year as City Attorney of Mankato, four terms as Mayor, and seven years as Judge of the District Court. In every role he was regarded as painstaking, thorough, and fair. Neighbors described him as always well thought of and frequently called upon for positions of responsibility.

In 1871 he married Cornelia Brown, daughter of Judge James Brown, another distinguished member of the Mankato bar. Their home became one of the respected households of the community. Five children were born to them: James F.; Albert R., who joined his father in the legal profession; Caroline (Mrs. L. W. Prendergast); Edith; and Mary. His sister, who had shared the hardships of their early orphaned years, made her home with him after the death of her husband.

Though vigorous and active well into his later years—he was in his office at work only days before his final illness—Judge Pfau succumbed suddenly to peritonitis. His passing at nearly seventy-one years of age marked the end of a life shaped by adversity, discipline, and unwavering devotion to law and community.

Remembered as a man of strong character, keen intellect, and steady public service, Judge Albert Pfau stood among the leading figures in Mankato’s formative years. His career linked the immigrant experience, the development of Minnesota’s legal institutions, and the steady growth of Mankato itself. He rests in Glenwood Cemetery among the generation that built the city he helped guide for nearly half a century.