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Historical Essay

Paine, Byron, 1827-1871

Civil Rights Law
Learn about the Milwaukee based lawyer who won two of Wisconsin's most important civil rights cases and was on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Historical Essay

Rehnquist, William H., (1924-2005)

United States Supreme Court Justice
Biography of William H. Rehnquist, who was born in Milwaukee and went on to serve as an Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Historical Essay

Gillespie, Ezekiel (1818-1892)

Black Voting Rights Activist
Biography of Ezekiel Gillespie who was active in Milwaukee's small Black community, especially on voting rights issues.
Historical Essay

Old Abe and the Iron Brigade

Wisconsin in the Civil War
Discover how a pet eagle named Old Abe helped Wisconsin serve the Union in the Civil War
Historical Essay

Catlin, John, 1803-1874

Brief biography of pioneer lawyer, politician and railroad man John Catlin.
Brief biography of pioneer lawyer, politician and railroad man John Catlin.
Historical Essay

Ryan, Edward George 1810-1880

Lawyer, Politician and Judge
Biography of lawyer, politician and judge Edward George Ryan.
Historical Essay

Booth, Sherman Miller 1812-1904

Temperance Lecturer, Abolitionist and Newspaper Editor
Biography of temperance lecturer, abolitionist and newspaper editor Sherman Miller Booth.
Historical Essay

Black History in Wisconsin

Read about Black history in Wisconsin. There are many links to original documents, pictures, eyewitness accounts, and other primary sources.
Historical Essay

Mitchell, Alexander 1817-1887

Banker, Politician, Congressman and Railroad Promoter
Biography of banker, politician, Congressman and railroad promoter and executive Alexander Mitchell.
Historical Essay

Brewing and Prohibition

Read about the brewing industry, the temperance movement, and the effects of prohibition in Wisconsin.
Classroom Material

Victor Berger, Milwaukee Socialists, and Civil Liberty

Conflict on the Homefront: Wisconsin During World War I
Learn more about Victory Berger by examing 1917 editorial selections from his newspaper, Milwaukee Leader
Historical Essay

Victor Berger Campaign Banner

Wisconsin Historical Museum Object – Feature Story
United States Senate campaign banner for Milwaukee Socialist Congressman Victor L. Berger, April 1918. (Museum object #1992.168)
Classroom Material

Civil Rights Movement Lesson Plans

from Tools for Teaching the History of Civil Rights in Milwaukee and the Nation (Madison, WI: Wisconsin Historical Society Press, 2015)

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