William Pfaender Sr. (born Jakob Wilhelm Pfänder, July 6, 1826 – August 11, 1905) was a German-American politician and businessman.

Born in Heilbronn, Kingdom of Württemberg, Pfaender emigrated to the United States in 1848 and went to New York.

During the American Civil War, Pfaender served in the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and was commissioned lieutenant colonel.

He served as register for Brown County, Minnesota and as postmaster for New Ulm.

[1][2] His great-great-great-grandniece is British singer, and Spice Girl, Victoria Beckham.