43rd Wisconsin Legislature

The Forty-Third Wisconsin Legislature convened from January 13, 1897, to April 21, 1897, in regular session. They also convened in a special session from August 17 through August 20, 1897.[1]

43rd Wisconsin Legislature
42nd 44th
Wisconsin State Capitol, 1887
Overview
Legislative bodyWisconsin Legislature
Meeting placeWisconsin State Capitol
TermJanuary 4, 1897 – January 2, 1899
ElectionNovember 3, 1896
Senate
Members33
Senate PresidentEmil Baensch (R)
President pro temporeLyman W. Thayer (R)
Party controlRepublican
Assembly
Members100
Assembly SpeakerGeorge A. Buckstaff (R)
Party controlRepublican
Sessions
1stJanuary 13, 1897 – April 21, 1897
Special sessions
Aug. SpecialAugust 17, 1897 – August 20, 1897

This was the first legislative session after the redistricting of the Senate and Assembly according to an act of the previous session.

Senators representing even-numbered districts were newly elected for this session and were serving the first two years of a four-year term. Assembly members were elected to a two-year term. Assembly members and even-numbered senators were elected in the general election of November 3, 1896. Senators representing odd-numbered districts were serving the third and fourth year of a four-year term, having been elected in the general election of November 6, 1894.[1]

Major events

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Major legislation

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  • April 22, 1897: An Act to revise the laws authorizing the business of banking, 1897 Act 303. Attempted to create a state department of banking. The Wisconsin Constitution required that any law which enabled the business of banking in Wisconsin had to be approved by a public referendum. This legislation went to the voters in the 1898 general election and was defeated.
  • Joint Resolution that the foregoing proposed amendment to the constitution of the state of Wisconsin be and the same is agreed to by this legislature, 1897 Joint Resolution 9. This was the second legislative passage of a proposed amendment to grant authority to the legislature to determine the appropriate number of circuit court seats for single-county circuits. The amendment would be ratified by the voters in the Spring 1897 election.
  • Joint Resolution to amend article No. 11 of the constitution of the state of Wisconsin, 1897 Joint Resolution 17. Proposed an amendment which would enable the Legislature to set limits on taxation enacted by counties and towns in the state. This amendment would not proceed beyond this step.
  • Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to section 1, of article 10, of the constitution of the state of Wisconsin relating to education, 1897 Joint Resolution 22. Proposed a constitutional amendment to move the election of Superintendent of Public Instruction from the Fall of even numbered years to the Spring of odd numbered years. This amendment also would not proceed, but the proposed change would be enacted by a later amendment.

Summary

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Senate summary

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Senate partisan composition
  Democratic: 4 seats
  Republican: 29 seats
Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Dem. Rep. Vacant
End of previous Legislature 13 20 33 0
Start of 1st Session 4 29 33 0
Final voting share 12.12% 87.88%
Beginning of the next Legislature 2 31 33 0

Assembly summary

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Assembly partisan composition
  Democratic: 9 seats
  Populist: 1 seat
  Republican: 90 seats
Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Dem. Pop. Rep. Vacant
End of previous Legislature 19 0 81 100 0
Start of 1st Session 9 1 90 100 0
From Apr. 21, 1897[note 1] 89 99 1
Final voting share 10% 90%
Beginning of the next Legislature 19 0 81 100 0

Sessions

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  • 1st Regular session: January 13, 1897 – April 21, 1897
  • August 1897 Special session: August 17, 1897 – August 20, 1897

Leaders

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Senate leadership

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Assembly leadership

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Members

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Members of the Senate

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Members of the Senate for the Forty-Third Wisconsin Legislature:[2]

 
Senate partisan representation
  Democratic: 4 seats
  Republican: 29 seats
Dist. Counties Senator Residence Party
01 Door, Kewaunee, & Marinette De Wayne Stebbins Ahnapee Rep.
02 Brown & Oconto Andrew C. Mailer De Pere Rep.
03 Kenosha & Racine Ernst Timme Kenosha Rep.
04 Milwaukee (Northern Part) J. Herbert Green Milwaukee Rep.
05 Milwaukee (City Center) William H. Austin Milwaukee Rep.
06 Milwaukee (City Northwest) William Devos Milwaukee Rep.
07 Milwaukee (Southern & Western County) Charles T. Fisher Wauwatosa Rep.
08 Milwaukee (City South) Julius E. Roehr Milwaukee Rep.
09 Adams, Marquette, Waushara, & Wood Clarence V. Peirce Germania Rep.
10 Pierce & St. Croix Dempster Woodworth Ellsworth Rep.
11 Burnett, Douglas, & Polk Thomas B. Mills West Superior Rep.
12 Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Iron, Sawyer, & Washburn Clarence A. Lamoreux Ashland Rep.
13 Dodge Michael E. Burke Beaver Dam Dem.
14 Outagamie & Shawano Alexander B. Whitman Appleton Rep.
15 Calumet & Manitowoc John E. McMullen Chilton Dem.
16 Grant & Iowa Charles H. Baxter Lancaster Rep.
17 Green, Lafayette, & southern Rock Henry Putnam Brodhead Rep.
18 Fond du Lac & Green Lake Lyman W. Thayer Ripon Rep.
19 Winnebago Charles W. Davis Oshkosh Rep.
20 Ozaukee & Sheboygan Fred A. Dennett Port Washington Rep.
21 Portage & Waupaca John Phillips Stevens Point Rep.
22 Northern Rock & western Jefferson John M. Whitehead Janesville Rep.
23 Walworth & eastern Jefferson Albert Solliday Watertown Dem.
24 Buffalo, Eau Claire, & Pepin John W. Whelan Mondovi Rep.
25 Clark & Marathon Clarion A. Youmans Neillsville Rep.
26 Dane Chauncey B. Welton Madison Rep.
27 Columbia & Sauk William F. Conger Prairie du Sac Rep.
28 Crawford, Richland, & Vernon Oliver Munson Viroqua Rep.
29 Chippewa & Dunn James H. Stout Menomonie Rep.
30 Florence, Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Oneida, Price, Taylor, & Vilas Daniel E. Riordan Eagle River Rep.
31 Jackson, Juneau, & Monroe James J. McGillivray Black River Falls Rep.
32 La Crosse & Trempealeau Levi Withee La Crosse Rep.
33 Washington & Waukesha Stephen F. Mayer West Bend Dem.

Members of the Assembly

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Members of the Assembly for the Forty-Third Wisconsin Legislature:[2]

 
Assembly partisan composition
  Democratic: 9 seats
  Populist: 1 seat
  Republican: 90 seats
 
Milwaukee County districts
Senate
District
County Dist. Representative Party Residence
09 Adams & Marquette Solon Pierce Rep. Friendship
12 Ashland & Iron Mathew J. Connors Rep. Hurley
Barron Jonathan J. Smith Rep. Barron
Bayfield, Sawyer, & Washburn King G. Staples Rep. Iron River
02 Brown 1 Thomas J. McGrath Rep. Green Bay
2 John M. Hogan Rep. Green Bay
24 Buffalo & Pepin Samuel F. Plummer Rep. Waterville
11 Burnett & Polk Lester B. Dresser Rep. St. Croix Falls
15 Calumet Joseph Wolfinger Dem. Woodville
29 Chippewa 1 Charles A. Stanley Rep. Chippewa Falls
2 John W. Thomas Rep. Anson
25 Clark Joseph C. Marsh Rep. Loyal
27 Columbia 1 Lemuel P. Hindes Rep. Lodi
2 George Wylie Rep. Leeds
28 Crawford James O. Davidson Rep. Soldiers Grove
26 Dane 1 Daniel Bechtel Dem. Madison
2 Christopher Legreid Rep. Cambridge
3 Oscar F. Minch Dem. Montrose
13 Dodge 1 Jesse Clason Gold Dem. Neosho
2 Samuel R. Webster Rep. Elba
01 Door Henry J. Overbeck Rep. Sturgeon Bay
11 Douglas 1 James H. Agen Rep. Superior
2 Jarvis White Rep. South Superior
29 Dunn Albert R. Hall Rep. Knapp
24 Eau Claire 1 Byron Buffington Rep. Eau Claire
2 Horace N. Polley Rep. Bridge Creek
30 Florence, Forest, & Langlade George W. Latta Rep. Antigo
18 Fond du Lac 1 Louie A. Lange Dem. Fond du Lac
2 Wynn Edwards Rep. Rosendale
16 Grant 1 Thomas McDonald Jr. Rep. Lancaster
2 Adelbert L. Utt Rep. Platteville
17 Green Nathaniel B. Treat Rep. Monroe
18 Green Lake Hans H. Olson Rep. Berlin
16 Iowa William A. Jones Rep. Mineral Point
31 Jackson Addison W. Merrill Rep. Alma
23 Jefferson 1 Jesse Stone Rep. Watertown
22 2 Gilbert Rutherford Rep. Lake Mills
31 Juneau Frank E. Hurd Rep. New Lisbon
03 Kenosha John F. Reynolds Rep. Randall
01 Kewaunee Maynard T. Parker Rep. Ahnapee
32 La Crosse 1 George H. Ray Rep. La Crosse
2 Mark Buttles Rep. Onalaska
17 Lafayette George Sheffer Rep. New Diggings
30 Lincoln & Taylor William H. Flett Rep. Merrill
15 Manitowoc 1 Charles W. Sweeting Rep. Cato
2 Fred C. Maertz Dem. Reedsville
25 Marathon 1 Henry M. Thompson Rep. Mosinee
2 Marcus H. Barnum Rep. Wausau
01 Marinette George W. Taylor Rep. Marinette
05 Milwaukee 1 Charles H. Welch Rep. Milwaukee
2 Charles Polacheck Rep. Milwaukee
07 3 Barney A. Eaton Rep. Milwaukee
05 4 Frank A. Anson Rep. Milwaukee
08 5 Charles N. Frink Pop. Milwaukee
04 6 Charles Niss Rep. Milwaukee
07 7 Emerson D. Hoyt Rep. Wauwatosa
08 8 John Fremont Burnham Rep. Milwaukee
06 9 Reinhard Klabunde Rep. Milwaukee
10 Albert Woller Rep. Milwaukee
08 11 Julius Feige Rep. Milwaukee
06 12 Henry Otto Reinnoldt Rep. Milwaukee
04 13 John H. Yorkey Rep. Milwaukee
07 14 August Gawin Dem. Milwaukee
04 15 Charles A. W. Krauss Rep. Milwaukee
31 Monroe David F. Jones Rep. Sparta
02 Oconto Lesley C. Harvey Rep. Oconto
30 Oneida, Price, & Vilas Gid H. Clark Rep. Rhinelander
14 Outagamie 1 Bernard C. Wolter Rep. Appleton
2 Charles Clack Rep. Freedom
20 Ozaukee Herman Schellenberg Dem. Cedarburg
10 Pierce George E. Pratt Rep. River Falls
21 Portage 1 Patrick H. Cashin Dem. Stevens Point
2 Peter N. Peterson Rep. Amherst
03 Racine 1 William T. Lewis Rep. Racine
2 Thomas H. Mosher Rep. Raymond
28 Richland William M. Fogo Rep. Richland Center
22 Rock 1 William G. Wheeler Rep. Janesville
2 Abner S. Flagg Rep. Edgerton
17 3 Charles W. Merriman Rep. Beloit
27 Sauk 1 John M. True Rep. Baraboo
2 John E. Morgan Rep. Spring Green
14 Shawano Otto A. Risum Rep. Pulcifer
20 Sheboygan 1 Christian Ackerman Rep. Sheboygan
2 William F. Sieker Rep. Herman
3 George W. Wolff Rep. Rhine
10 St. Croix Hans Borchsenius Rep. Baldwin
32 Trempealeau Joseph B. Beach Rep. Whitehall
28 Vernon Emilus Goodell Rep. Viroqua
23 Walworth 1 William H. Hurlbut Rep. Elkhorn
2 Leonard C. Church Rep. Walworth
33 Washington William Froehlich Rep. Jackson
Waukesha 1 Delbert K. Smith Rep. Big Bend
2 Omar L. Rosenkrans Rep. Oconomowoc
21 Waupaca 1 Ole C. Sether Rep.
2 Andrew Jensen Rep. Ogdensburg
09 Waushara William Hughes Rep. Aurora
19 Winnebago 1 George A. Buckstaff Rep. Oshkosh
2 Silas Bullard Rep. Menasha
3 Frank T. Tucker Rep. Omro
09 Wood Herman C. Wipperman Rep. Grand Rapids

Committees

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Senate committees

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  • Senate Committee on Agriculture – McGillivray, chair
  • Senate Committee on Assessment and Collection of Taxes – Woodworth, chair
  • Senate Committee on Banks and Insurance – Davis, chair
  • Senate Committee on Bills on Third Reading – Whelan, chair
  • Senate Committee on Corporations – Mills, chair
  • Senate Committee on Education – Stout, chair
  • Senate Committee on Enrolled Bills – Phillips, chair
  • Senate Committee on Engrossed Bills – Conger, chair
  • Senate Committee on Federal Relations – Whitman, chair
  • Senate Committee on the Judiciary – Austin, chair
  • Senate Committee on Legislative Expenses – Conger, chair
  • Senate Committee on Manufactures – Dennett, chair
  • Senate Committee on Military Affairs – Welton, chair
  • Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections – Roehr, chair
  • Senate Committee on Public Health – Mailer, chair
  • Senate Committee on Public Lands – Fisher, chair
  • Senate Committee on Railroads – Withee, chair
  • Senate Committee on Roads and Bridges – Peirce, chair
  • Senate Committee on State Affairs – Putnam, chair
  • Senate Committee on Town and County Organizations – Youmans, chair

Assembly committees

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  • Assembly Committee on Agriculture – Barney A. Eaton, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Assessment and Collection of Taxes – N. B. Treat, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Bills on their Third Reading – Bernard C. Wolter, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Cities – Frank Anson, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Corporations – Charles A. Stanley, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Dairy and Food – William Froehlich, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Education – Frank T. Tucker, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Engrossed Bills – George W. Latta, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Enrolled Bills – Mark H. Barnum, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Finance, Banks, and Insurance – William A. Jones, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Federal Relations – Omar L. Rosenkrans, chair
  • Assembly Committee on the Judiciary – Silas Bullard, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Legislative Expenditures – A. L. Utt, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Lumber and Mining – A. R. Hall, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Manufactures – Joseph C. Marsh, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Military Affairs – George W. Taylor, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Public Lands – Andrew Jensen, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Public Health and Sanitation – Jesse A. Clason, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Public Improvements – William F. Sieker, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Privileges and Elections – Herman C. Wipperman, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Railroads – Emerson D. Hoyt, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Roads and Bridges – James O. Davidson, chair
  • Assembly Committee on State Affairs – Jesse Stone, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Town and County Organization – Jonathan J. Smith, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Ways and Means – William G. Wheeler, chair

Joint committees

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  • Joint Committee on Charitable and Penal Institutions – Stebbins (Sen.) & William T. Lewis (Asm.), co-chairs
  • Joint Committee on Claims – Baxter (Sen.) & George H. Ray (Asm.), co-chairs
  • Joint Committee on Fish and Game – Timme (Sen.) & Lester B. Dresser (Asm.), co-chairs
  • Joint Committee on Printing – Munson (Sen.) & William M. Fogo (Asm.), co-chairs

Changes from the 42nd Legislature

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New districts for the 43rd Legislature were defined in 1896 Wisconsin Special Session Act 1, passed into law in the 42nd Wisconsin Legislature.

Senate redistricting

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Summary of changes

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  • 7 districts were left unchanged (1, 2, 3, 13, 15, 19, 32).
  • Dane County became a single district again (26) after previously having been divided between two districts.
  • Milwaukee County went from having 4 and a half districts to 5 districts (4, 5, 6, 7, 8).
  • Fond du Lac County lost its single-district status and was combined with Green Lake County (18).
  • Two counties were split in multi-county districts (Rock & Jefferson), down from seven under the previous map.
  • Fond du Lac County became its own district (18) after previously having been split between two districts.
  • Only three single-county districts remain (18, 19, 20).
  • Seven counties are split between multi-county senate districts.

Senate districts

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Dist. 42nd Legislature 43rd Legislature
1 Door, Kewaunee, Marinette counties Door, Kewaunee, Marinette counties
2 Brown, Oconto counties Brown, Oconto counties
3 Kenosha, Racine counties Kenosha, Racine counties
4 Milwaukee County (city northeast) Milwaukee County (northern quarter)
5 Milwaukee County (city south) Milwaukee County (city center)
6 Milwaukee County (city center) Milwaukee County (city northwest)
7 Northern Milwaukee and eastern Waukesha Milwaukee County (southern & west)
8 Milwaukee County (county south) Milwaukee County (city south)
9 Adams, Juneau, Marquette, Green Lake counties Adams, Marquette, Waushara, Wood counties
10 Pierce, Polk, St. Croix counties Pierce, St. Croix counties
11 Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Sawyer, Washburn counties Burnett, Douglas, Polk counties
12 Marathon, Wood counties Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Iron, Sawyer, Washburn counties
13 Dodge County Dodge County
14 Florence, Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Shawano counties Outagamie, Shawano counties
15 Calumet, Manitowoc counties Calumet, Manitowoc counties
16 Crawford, Richland, northern Grant counties Grant, Iowa counties
17 Green, southeast Dane, western Rock counties Green, Lafayette, southern Rock counties
18 Fond du Lac County Fond du Lac & Green Lake
19 Winnebago County Winnebago County
20 Sheboygan County Ozaukee, Sheboygan county
21 Portage, Waushara, western Waupaca counties Portage, Waupaca counties
22 Outagamie, eastern Waupaca counties Northern Rock, western Jefferson counties
23 Jefferson, western Waukesha counties Walworth, eastern Jefferson counties
24 Walworth, eastern Rock counties Buffalo, Eau Claire, Pepin counties
25 Clark, Eau Claire counties Clark, Marathon counties
26 Most of Dane County Dane County
27 Sauk, western Columbia counties Columbia, Sauk counties
28 Iowa, Lafayette, southern Grant counties Crawford, Richland, Vernon counties
29 Buffalo, Barron, Dunn, Pepin counties Chippewa, Dunn counties
30 Chippewa, Oneida, Price, Taylor counties Florence, Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Oneida, Price, Taylor, Vilas counties
31 Jackson, Monroe, Vernon counties Jackson, Juneau, Monroe counties
32 La Crosse, Trempealeau counties La Crosse, Trempealeau counties
33 Ozaukee, Washington, northern Dodge counties Washington, Waukesha counties

Assembly redistricting

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Summary of changes

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  • 35 districts were left unchanged.
  • Dane County went from having 4 districts to 3.
  • Dodge County went from having 3 districts to 2.
  • Douglas County went from having 1 district to 2.
  • Fond du Lac County went from having 3 districts to 2.
  • Milwaukee County went from having 14 districts to 15.
  • Portage County went from having 1 district to 2.
  • No district comprised more than three counties.

Assembly districts

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County Districts in 42nd Legislature Districts in 43rd Legislature Change
Adams Shared with Marquette Shared with Marquette  
Ashland 1 District Shared with Iron  [note 2]
Barron 1 District 1 District  
Bayfield Shared with Burnett, Sawyer, & Washburn Shared with Sawyer, & Washburn  
Brown 2 Districts 2 Districts  
Buffalo Shared with Pepin Shared with Pepin  
Burnett Shared with Bayfield, Sawyer, & Washburn Shared with Polk  
Calumet 1 District 1 District  
Chippewa 2 Districts 2 Districts  
Clark 1 District 1 District  
Columbia 2 Districts 2 Districts  
Crawford 1 District 1 District  
Dane 4 Districts 3 Districts  
Dodge 3 Districts 2 Districts  
Door 1 District 1 District  
Douglas 1 District 2 Districts  
Dunn 1 District 1 District  
Eau Claire 2 Districts 2 Districts  
Florence Shared with Ashland, Forest, Oneida, & Price Shared with Forest & Langlade  
Fond du Lac 3 Districts 2 Districts  
Forest Shared with Florence & Langlade Shared with Florence & Langlade  
Grant 2 Districts 2 Districts  
Green 1 District 1 District  
Green Lake 1 District 1 District  
Iowa 1 District 1 District  
Iron Did not exist Shared with Ashland
Jackson 1 District 1 District  
Jefferson 2 Districts 2 Districts  
Juneau 1 District 1 District  
Kenosha 1 District 1 District  
Kewaunee 1 District 1 District  
La Crosse 2 Districts 2 Districts  
Lafayette 1 District 1 District  
Langlade Shared with Florence & Forest Shared with Florence & Forest  
Lincoln 1 District Shared with Taylor  
Manitowoc 2 Districts 2 Districts  
Marathon 2 Districts 2 Districts  
Marinette 1 District 1 District  
Marquette Shared with Adams Shared with Adams  
Milwaukee 14 Districts 15 Districts  
Monroe 1 District 1 District  
Oconto 1 District 1 District  
Outagamie 2 Districts 2 Districts  
Ozaukee 1 District 1 District  
Pepin Shared with Buffalo Shared with Buffalo  
Pierce 1 District 1 District  
Polk 1 District 1 District  
Portage 1 District 2 Districts  
Price Shared with Oneida & Taylor Shared with Oneida & Vilas  
Racine 2 Districts 2 Districts  
Richland 1 District 1 District  
Rock 3 Districts 3 Districts  
Sauk 2 Districts 2 Districts  
Sawyer Shared with Bayfield, Burnett, & Washburn Shared with Bayfield & Washburn  
Shawano 1 District 1 District  
Sheboygan 3 Districts 3 Districts  
St. Croix 1 District 1 District  
Taylor Shared with Oneida & Price Shared with Lincoln  
Trempealeau 1 District 1 District  
Vernon 1 District 1 District  
Walworth 2 Districts 2 Districts  
Washburn Shared with Bayfield, Burnett, & Sawyer Shared with Bayfield & Sawyer  
Washington 1 District 1 District  
Waukesha 2 Districts 2 Districts  
Waupaca 2 Districts 2 Districts  
Waushara 1 District 1 District  
Winnebago 3 Districts 3 Districts  
Wood 1 District 1 District  

Notes

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  1. ^ Republican William A. Jones (Iowa County) resigned after he was appointed U.S. Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
  2. ^ Iron County was created from the eastern half of Ashland, so the district was not actually changed.

References

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  1. ^ a b Barish, Lawrence S.; Lemanski, Lynn, eds. (2011). "Statistics: History" (PDF). State of Wisconsin 2011–2012 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 709, 714, 717, 719. ISBN 978-0-9752820-1-4. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Casson, Henry, ed. (1897). "Biographical Sketches" (PDF). The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 656–701. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
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