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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

Edgerton Bible Case

Brief explanation of The Edgerton Bible case and its wider ramifications.
Historical Essay

Barstow-Bashford Affair of 1856

A brief history of the Barstow-Bashford Affair of 1856.
Historical Essay

Another Time's Norms

The Antiquated Belief of a Chief Justice
Discover Wisconsin Chief Justice Edward G. Ryan's opinion on women and court
Historical Essay

Potter Law (1874)

Brief explanation of The Potter Law (1874).
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

Paines in the Neck for Powers-That-Be

Two Lawyers Spur Abolitionist Reform and Universal Voting Rights
Learn how Byron Paine and Halbert E. Paine used the power of law for radical abolitionist reform in mid-19th century Wisconsin.
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

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.

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