Charles "Carl" Habich Sr. (November 13, 1824 – May 29, 1901) was a German American immigrant, merchant, lawyer, and Democratic politician.
He eventually settled in the town of Madison, Wisconsin, where he operated a daguerreotype studio for a number of years.
Habich fell 400 votes short of Samuel D. Hastings, about the same margin by which Democratic gubernatorial candidate James B.
[2] During the campaign and for a few years after, Habich was involved in several investigations of the treasurer's office over poor book-keeping practices and potential embezzlement.
Testimony implied several state officers—including governors—over several administrations had potentially been appropriating money from the treasury without authorization, but no charges were ever brought against Habich or anyone else.
[3] Though he lost his job with the office of the treasurer, Habich remained involved in public affairs.