15th Wisconsin Legislature
Wisconsin legislative term for 1862
The Fifteenth Wisconsin Legislature convened from January 8, 1862, to April 7, 1862, in regular session, and re-convened from June 3, 1862, through June 17, 1862. The legislature further convened in a special session from September 10, 1862, through September 26, 1862.
This was the first legislative session after the expansion and redistricting of the Senate and Assembly according to an act of the previous session . The Senate grew from 30 to 33 seats; the Assembly grew from 97 to 100 seats.
Senators representing even-numbered districts were newly elected for this session and were serving the first year of a two-year term. Assembly members were elected to a one-year term. Assembly members and odd-numbered senators were elected in the general election of November 8, 1861. Senators representing odd-numbered districts were serving the second year of their two-year term, having been elected in the general election held on November 6, 1860, or were elected in the 1861 election for a newly created district and were serving a one-year term.[ 1]
Major events
January 6, 1862: Inauguration of Louis P. Harvey as the 7th Governor of Wisconsin .
January 10, 1862: Assemblymember Alexander Campbell of Iowa County resigned his seat after it was demonstrated that he had actually lost his election to Robert Wilson.
January 16, 1862: Joseph M. Morrow sworn in to replace the deceased Simon D. Powers as assemblymember for the Monroe County district
April 6–7, 1862: Battle of Shiloh took place in Hardin County, Tennessee . Three regiments of Wisconsin Volunteers participated in the battle. Former Wisconsin state senator James S. Alban was killed, and former state senator Benjamin Allen was wounded.
April 19, 1862: Wisconsin Governor Louis P. Harvey died in an accident near Savannah, Tennessee . Lieutenant Governor Edward Salomon became the 8th Governor of Wisconsin .
May 1, 1862: Union forces occupied New Orleans after Confederate forces evacuated the city.
May 8, 1862: State senator Charles Quentin died.
September 1, 1862: Dr. Francis Huebschmann was sworn in to replace the deceased Charles Quentin as senator for the 5th district .
September 17, 1862: Battle of Antietam took place near Sharpsburg, Maryland . Five regiments of Wisconsin Volunteers participated in the battle.
September 22, 1862: U.S. President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation .
October 8, 1862: Battle of Perryville took place near Perryville, Kentucky .
Major legislation
First session
February 17, 1862: Joint Resolutions relative to amending the constitution in regard to the governor's salary, 1862 Joint Resolution 6 . Proposed an amendment to the Constitution of Wisconsin to increase the salary of the governor from $1,250 to $2,500 per year. The amendment was rejected by voters in the November general election.
March 22, 1862: Act to change the name of Bad Ax County to that of Vernon, 1862 Act 137
Special session
September 25, 1862: Act to empower towns, cities, incorporated villages and counties to raise money for the payment of bounties to volunteers, 1862 Special Session Act 13
Party summary
Senate summary
Senate Partisan composition Democratic: 11 seats
National Union: 2 seats
Republican: 20 seats
Assembly summary
Assembly Partisan composition Democratic: 45 seats
National Union: 11 seats
Republican: 44 seats
Sessions
1st Regular session: January 8, 1862 – April 7, 1862; June 3, 1862 – June 17, 1862
Special session: September 10, 1862 – September 26, 1862
Leaders
Senate leadership
Assembly leadership
Members
Members of the Senate
Members of the Wisconsin Senate for the Fifteenth Wisconsin Legislature:[ 2]
Senate partisan representation Democratic: 11 seats
Union: 2 seats
Republican: 20 seats
District
Counties
Senator
Party
Residence
01
Sheboygan
Luther H. Cary
Rep.
Greenbush
02
Brown & Kewaunee
Edward Hicks
Dem.
Green Bay
03
Ozaukee
Hugh Cunning
Dem.
Ozaukee
04
Washington
Frederick O. Thorpe
Dem.
West Bend
05
Milwaukee (Northern Part)
Charles Quentin (until May 8)
Dem.
Milwaukee
Francis Huebschmann (after June 1)
Dem.
Milwaukee
06
Milwaukee (Southern Part)
Edward Keogh
Dem.
Milwaukee
07
Racine
William L. Utley
Rep.
Racine
08
Kenosha
Herman S. Thorp
Rep.
Cypress
09
Adams , Juneau , Waushara
John T. Kingston
Rep.
Necedah
10
Waukesha
George C. Pratt
Dem.
Waukesha
11
Dane (Eastern Part)
Samuel C. Bean
Rep.
Sun Prairie
12
Walworth
Wyman Spooner
Rep.
Elkhorn
13
Lafayette
Samuel Cole
Dem.
Gratiot
14
Sauk
Smith S. Wilkinson
Rep.
Prairie du Sac
15
Iowa
Lemuel W. Joiner
Rep.
Wyoming
16
Grant
Milas K. Young
Rep.
Glen Haven
17
Rock
Ezra A. Foot
Rep.
Footville
18
Dodge (Western Part)
Joel Rich
Dem.
Juneau
19
Manitowoc & Calumet
George A. Jenkins
Rep.
Charlestown
20
Fond du Lac
George W. Mitchell
Dem.
Ripon
21
Winnebago
Samuel M. Hay
Rep.
Oshkosh
22
Door , Oconto , Outagamie , Shawanaw
Thomas R. Hudd
Dem.
Appleton
23
Jefferson
Edwin Montgomery
Rep.
Farmington
24
Green
Edmund A. West
Rep.
Monroe
25
Columbia
Gerry W. Hazelton
Rep.
Columbus
26
Dane (Western Part)
Benjamin F. Hopkins
Rep.
Madison
27
Marathon , Portage , Waupaca , Wood
Edward L. Browne
Rep.
Waupaca
28
Ashland , Burnett , Dallas , Douglas , La Pointe , Pierce , Polk , St. Croix
Herman L. Humphrey
Union
Hudson
29
Marquette , Green Lake
Charles S. Kelsey
Rep.
Montello
30
Bad Ax , Crawford , Richland
Norman S. Cate (until May)
Union
De Soto
Vacant from May 1862
31
La Crosse , Monroe
Edwin Flint
Rep.
La Crosse
32
Buffalo , Chippewa , Clark , Dunn , Eau Claire , Jackson , Pepin , Trempealeau
M. D. Bartlett
Rep.
Durand
33
Dodge (Eastern Part)
Satterlee Clark
Dem.
Horicon
Members of the Assembly
Members of the Assembly for the Fifteenth Wisconsin Legislature:[ 3]
Assembly partisan representation Democratic: 45 seats
Union: 11 seats
Republican: 44 seats
Senate District
County
District
Representative
Party
Residence
09
Adams
George H. Hall
Rep.
Dell Prairie
28
Ashland , Burnett , Dallas , Douglas , La Pointe , Polk
George R. Stuntz
Rep.
Superior
30
Bad Ax
1
Ole C. Johnson
Rep.
Breckenridge
2
Jeremiah M. Rusk
Rep.
Viroqua
02
Brown
Frederick S. Ellis
Dem.
Green Bay
32
Buffalo , Pepin , Trempealeau
Orlando Brown
Rep.
Gilmanton
19
Calumet
William F. Watrous
Dem.
Charleston
32
Chippewa , Dunn , Eau Claire
Horace W. Barnes
Union Rep.
Eau Claire
Clark & Jackson
Carl C. Pope
Rep.
Black River Falls
25
Columbia
1
Jonathan Bowman
Rep.
Newport
2
William Dutcher
Union Dem.
Columbus
3
Robert B. Sanderson
Rep.
Cambria
30
Crawford
Ormsby B. Thomas
Union Dem.
Prairie du Chien
11
Dane
1
Benjamin F. Adams
Rep.
Door Creek
2
Willard H. Chandler
Rep.
Windsor
26
3
Alden S. Sanborn
Dem.
Mazomanie
4
Nicholas M. Matts
Rep.
Verona
5
Edmund Jüssen
Rep.
Madison
18
Dodge
1
Quartus H. Barron
Rep.
Fox Lake
2
John F. McCollum
Dem.
Trenton
3
Harvey C. Griffin
Dem.
Oak Grove
33
4
Jacob G. Mayer
Dem.
LeRoy
5
David D. Hoppcock
Dem.
Rubicon
22
Door , Oconto , Shawano
Ezra B. Stevens
Rep.
Sturgeon Bay
20
Fond du Lac
1
Charles F. Hammond
Rep.
Ripon
2
W. W. Hatcher
Dem.
Waupun
3
Campbell McLean
Rep.
Fond du Lac
4
John Boyd
Dem.
Calumet
5
Henry C. Hamilton
Dem.
Waucousta
16
Grant
1
William Brandon
Rep.
Smeltzer's Grove
2
Allen Taylor
Rep.
Dickeyville
3
Joseph T. Mills
Rep.
Lancaster
4
William W. Field
Rep.
Fennimore
5
Samuel Newick
Rep.
Beetown
24
Green
1
Calvin D. W. Leonard
Rep.
Dayton
2
Harvey T. Moore
Union Dem.
Spring Grove
29
Green Lake
Archibald Nichols
Rep.
Markesan
15
Iowa
1
Alexander Campbell (until Jan. 10)
Rep.
Ridgeway
Robert Wilson (from Jan. 10)
Dem.
2
John H. Vivian
Rep.
Mineral Point
23
Jefferson
1
Peter Rogan
Dem.
Watertown
2
Walter S. Greene
Union Dem.
Milford
3
William W. Reed
Rep.
Jefferson
4
John B. Crosby
Rep.
Palmyra
09
Juneau
D. R. W. Williams
Rep.
Werner
08
Kenosha
Reuben L. Bassett
Union Dem.
Wilmot
02
Kewaunee
George W. Elliott
Dem.
Ahnapee
31
La Crosse
Thomas B. Stoddard
Union Rep.
La Crosse
13
Lafayette
1
Charles B. Jennings
Dem.
Benton
2
James Wadsworth
Dem.
Darlington
19
Manitowoc
1
Samuel Rounseville
Ind. Rep.
Meeme
2
James Cahill
Dem.
Franklin
3
Elijah K. Rand
Dem.
Manitowoc
27
Marathon & Wood
Charles Hoeflinger
Dem.
Wausau
29
Marquette
Horatio S. Thomas
Dem.
Briggsville
05
Milwaukee
1
Henry L. Palmer
Dem.
Milwaukee
2
George Abert
Dem.
Milwaukee
06
3
George K. Gregory
Dem.
Milwaukee
4
Jacob V. V. Platto
Dem.
Milwaukee
5
John M. Stowell
Dem.
Milwaukee
05
6
Adam Finger
Dem.
Milwaukee
7
Henry Kirchhoff
Dem.
Ten Mile House
06
8
Perley J. Shumway
Dem.
Wauwatosa
9
L. Semmann
Dem.
Oak Creek
31
Monroe
--Vacant-- (until Jan. 16)
Joseph M. Morrow (from Jan. 16)
Ind. Dem.
Sparta
22
Outagamie
Milo Coles
Dem.
Borina
03
Ozaukee
John A. Schletz
Dem.
Grafton
28
Pierce & St. Croix
Joseph W. Beardsley
Union Dem.
Prescott
27
Portage
Alexander S. McDill
Rep.
Plover
07
Racine
1
Calvin H. Upham
Rep.
Racine
2
Thomas Butler
Dem.
Mount Pleasant
3
James Catton
Dem.
Burlington
30
Richland
Leroy D. Gage
Dem.
Richland
17
Rock
1
Nathan B. Howard
Rep.
Magnolia
2
Ephraim Palmer
Rep.
Edgerton
3
Samuel Miller
Rep.
Shopiere
4
John Bannister
Union Rep.
Beloit
5
Allen C. Bates
Rep.
Janesville
6
Orrin Guernsey
Rep.
Janesville
14
Sauk
1
J. Stephens Tripp
Dem.
Sauk City
2
Argalus W. Starks
Union Dem.
Baraboo
01
Sheboygan
1
Godfrey Stamm
Dem.
Sheboygan
2
John E. Thomas
Dem.
Sheboygan Falls
3
Samuel D. Hubbard (until Aug. 11)
Union
Scott
--Vacant-- (from Aug. 11)
4
Benjamin Dockstader
Rep.
Plymouth
12
Walworth
1
Fayette P. Arnold
Rep.
South Grove
2
Sylvester Hanson
Rep.
La Grange
3
Hilton W. Boyce
Ind. Rep.
Geneva
4
Hollis Latham
Dem.
Elkhorn
04
Washington
1
Thomas Barry
Dem.
Erin
2
Michael Maloy
Dem.
Richfield
3
Robert Salter
Dem.
Newburg
10
Waukesha
1
George W. Brown
Dem.
Brookfield Center
2
Samuel Thompson
Rep.
Hartland
3
Peter D. Gifford
Dem.
North Prairie
4
William A. Vanderpool
Dem.
Vernon
27
Waupaca
Chester D. Combs
Rep.
North Royalton
09
Waushara
William C. Webb
Ind. Rep.
Wautoma
21
Winnebago
1
William E. Hanson
Rep.
Oshkosh
2
Michael Hogan
Dem.
Menasha
3
David R. Bean
Rep.
Waukau
Employees
Senate employees
Chief Clerk: John H. Warren [ 2]
Assistant Clerk: Erasmus D. Campbell
Engrossing Clerk: T. Wilson Caster
Enrolling Clerk: J. M. Randall
Transcribing Clerk: F. W. Stewart
Sergeant-at-Arms: Bloom U. Caswell
Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms: James L. Wilder
Postmaster: H. W. Browne
Assistant Postmaster: D. H. Pulcifer
Doorkeeper: William C. Lesure
Assistant Doorkeeper: Julius C. Chandler
Firemen:
C. H. Beyler
John Crowley
Messengers:
Fred Sholes
Albert F. Dexter
William L. Abbott
Assembly employees
Chief Clerk: John S. Dean[ 3]
Assistant Clerk: Ephraim W. Young
Bookkeeper: Sylvester Foord, Jr.
Engrossing Clerk: Herbert A. Lewis
Enrolling Clerk: Daniel Brisbois
Transcribing Clerk: Henry F. Pelton
Sergeant-at-Arms: A. A. Huntingdon
Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms: Jas. G. Alden
2nd Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms: J. W. Overbaugh
Postmaster: A. A. Bennett
Assistant Postmaster: N. F. Pierce
2nd Assistant Postmaster: William P. Bowman
Doorkeeper: J. I. Ellis
Assistant Doorkeeper: Frederik Huchting
Assistant Doorkeeper: E. T. Kearney
Firemen:
Reese Evans
E. C. Cavenaugh
Barnet Wilson
Messengers:
E. C. Mason
Jno. N. Ford
E. D. Strong
Albert W. Carpenter
Fred. VanBergen
William Booth
Samuel Myers
Hugh Spencer
Rufus H. Roys
George D. Potter
Linus S. Webb
Changes from the 14th Legislature
New districts for the 15th Legislature were defined in 1861 Wisconsin Act 216 , passed into law in the 14th Wisconsin Legislature .
Senate redistricting
Summary of changes
17 senate districts were left unchanged.
The Dane County district boundaries were slightly redrawn (11, 26).
Dodge County went from having one senator to two (18, 33).
Jefferson County went from two senators to one (23).
Rock County went from two senators to one (17).
Sauk County became its own senate district (14), after previously having been in a shared district with Adams and Juneau counties.
Iowa County became its own senate district (15), after previously having been in a shared district with Richland county.
Waushara County was moved from the 27th district to the 9th.
The multi-county northeastern district was divided into two (2, 22).
The multi-county western region of the state went from two senators to four (28, 30, 31, 32).
Senate districts
after redistricting
before redistricting
Dist.
14th Legislature
15th Legislature
1
Sheboygan County
Sheboygan County
2
Brown, Outagamie, Door, Kewaunee, Oconto, Shawano counties
Brown, Kewaunee counties
3
Ozaukee County
Ozaukee County
4
Washington County
Washington County
5
Northern Milwaukee County
Northern Milwaukee County
6
Southern Milwaukee County
Southern Milwaukee County
7
Racine County
Racine County
8
Kenosha County
Kenosha County
9
Adams, Juneau, Sauk counties
Adams, Juneau, Waushara counties
10
Waukesha County
Waukesha County
11
Eastern Dane County
Eastern Dane County
12
Walworth County
Walworth County
13
Lafayette County
Lafayette County
14
Northern Jefferson County
Sauk County
15
Iowa, Richland counties
Iowa County
16
Grant County
Grant County
17
Western Rock County
Rock County
18
Eastern Rock County
Western Dodge County
19
Manitowoc, Calumet counties
Manitowoc, Calumet counties
20
Fond du Lac County
Fond du Lac County
21
Winnebago County
Winnebago County
22
Dodge County
Door, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawanaw counties
23
Southern Jefferson County
Jefferson County
24
Green County
Green County
25
Columbia County
Columbia County
26
Western Dane County
Western Dane County
27
Marathon, Portage, Waupaca, Waushara, Wood counties
Marathon, Portage, Waupaca, Wood counties
28
Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Dunn, La Pointe, Pierce, Polk, St. Croix counties
Ashland, Burnett, Dallas, Douglas, La Pointe, Pierce, Polk, St. Croix counties
29
Marquette County
Marquette County
30
Bad Ax, Buffalo, Crawford, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Tremealeau counties
Bad Ax, Crawford, Richland counties
31
Did not exist in 14th Legislature
La Crosse, Monroe counties
32
Buffalo, Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Pepin, Trempealeau counties
33
Eastern Dodge County
Assembly redistricting
Summary of changes
Adams and Juneau counties became separate assembly districts, after previously having been in a shared district.
Bad Ax County became 2 assembly districts, after previously having been in a shared district with Crawford County.
Dane County went from having 6 districts to 5.
Dodge County went from having 6 districts to 5.
Jefferson County went from having 5 districts to 4.
Kenosha County went from having 2 districts to 1.
Kewaunee County became its own assembly district, after previously having been in a shared district with Door, Oconto, and Shawano counties.
La Crosse and Monroe counties became separate assembly districts, after previously having been in a shared district.
Lafayette County went from having 3 districts to 2.
Manitowoc County went from having 2 districts to 3.
Marquette County went from having 2 districts to 1.
Ozaukee County went from having 2 districts to 1.
Portage County became its own assembly district, after previously having been in a shared district with Marathon and Wood counties.
Racine County went from having 4 districts to 3.
Rock County went from having 5 districts to 6.
Sheboygan County went from having 3 districts to 4.
Assembly districts
County
Districts in 14th Legislature
Districts in 15th Legislature
Adams
Shared with Juneau
1 District
Ashland
Shared with Burnett, Douglas, La Pointe, Polk, St. Croix
Shared with Burnett, Dallas, Douglas, La Pointe, Polk
Bad Ax
Shared with Crawford
2 Districts
Brown
1 District
1 District
Buffalo
Shared with Jackson, Trempealeau
Shared with Pepin, Trempealeau
Burnett
Shared with Ashland, Douglas, La Pointe, Polk, St. Croix
Shared with Ashland, Dallas, Douglas, La Pointe, Polk
Calumet
1 District
1 District
Chippewa
Shared with Clark, Dunn, Pierce
Shared with Dunn, Eau Claire
Clark
Shared with Chippewa, Dunn, Pierce
Shared with Jackson
Columbia
3 Districts
3 Districts
Crawford
Shared with Bad Ax
Shared with Bad Ax
Dallas
Did not exist
Shared with Ashland, Burnett, Douglas, La Pointe, Polk
Dane
6 Districts
5 Districts
Dodge
6 Districts
5 Districts
Door
Shared with Kewaunee, Oconto, Shawano
Shared with Oconto, Shawano
Douglas
Shared with Ashland, Burnett, La Pointe, Polk, St. Croix
Shared with Ashland, Burnett, Dallas, La Pointe, Polk
Dunn
Shared with Chippewa, Clark, Pierce
Shared with Chippewa, Eau Claire
Eau Claire
Did not exist
Shared with Chippewa, Dunn
Fond du Lac
5 Districts
5 Districts
Grant
5 Districts
5 Districts
Green
2 Districts
2 Districts
Green Lake
1 District
1 District
Iowa
2 Districts
2 Districts
Jackson
Shared with Buffalo, Trempealeau
Shared with Clark
Jefferson
5 Districts
4 Districts
Juneau
Shared with Adams
1 District
Kenosha
2 Districts
1 District
Kewaunee
Shared with Door, Oconto, Shawano
1 District
La Crosse
Shared with Monroe
1 District
La Pointe
Shared with Ashland, Burnett, Douglas, Polk, St. Croix
Shared with Ashland, Burnett, Dallas, Douglas, Polk
Lafayette
3 Districts
2 Districts
Manitowoc
2 Districts
3 Districts
Marathon
Shared with Portage, Wood
Shared with Wood
Marquette
2 Districts
1 District
Milwaukee
9 Districts
9 Districts
Monroe
Shared with La Crosse
1 District
Oconto
Shared with Door, Kewaunee, Shawano
Shared with Door, Shawano
Outagamie
1 District
1 District
Ozaukee
2 Districts
1 District
Pepin
Shared with Chippewa, Clark, Dunn
Shared with Buffalo, Trempealeau
Pierce
Shared with Chippewa, Clark, Dunn
Shared with St. Croix
Polk
Shared with Ashland, Burnett, Douglas, La Pointe, St. Croix
Shared with Ashland, Burnett, Dallas, Douglas, La Pointe
Portage
Shared with Marathon, Wood
1 District
Racine
4 Districts
3 Districts
Richland
1 District
1 District
Rock
5 Districts
6 Districts
Sauk
2 Districts
2 Districts
Shawano
Shared with Door, Kewaunee, Oconto
Shared with Door, Oconto
Sheboygan
3 Districts
4 Districts
St. Croix
Shared with Ashland, Burnett, Douglas, La Pointe, Polk
Shared with Pierce
Trempealeau
Shared with Buffalo, Jackson
Shared with Buffalo, Pepin
Walworth
4 Districts
4 Districts
Washington
3 Districts
3 Districts
Waukesha
4 Districts
4 Districts
Waupaca
1 District
1 District
Waushara
1 District
1 District
Winnebago
3 Districts
3 Districts
Wood
Shared with Marathon, Portage
Shared with Marathon
Notes
^ Charles Quentin (District 5) died in office. Norman S. Cate (District 30) resigned.
^ Francis Huebschmann (District 5) was elected to replace Charles Quentin.
^ Simeon D. Powers (Monroe County) was elected in the 1861 general election but died December 15, 1861.
^ Robert Wilson replaced Alexander Campbell (Iowa 1st district) due to successful election challenge.
^ Joseph M. Morrow replaced Simeon D. Powers (deceased; Monroe County).
^ Samuel D. Hubbard (Sheboygan 3rd district) resigned.
References
External links