Charles E. Estabrook: Difference between revisions

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| alt =
| alt =
| caption =
| caption =
|order = 14th
| order = 14th
|office = Attorney General of Wisconsin
| office = Attorney General of Wisconsin
| term_start = January 3, 1887
| term_start = January 3, 1887
| term_end = January 5, 1891
| term_end = January 5, 1891
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| predecessor = [[Leander F. Frisby]]
| predecessor = [[Leander F. Frisby]]
| successor = [[James L. O'Connor]]
| successor = [[James L. O'Connor]]
|state1 = Wisconsin
| state1 = Wisconsin
|state_assembly1 = Wisconsin
| state_assembly1 = Wisconsin
|district1 = [[Milwaukee County, Wisconsin|Milwaukee]] 13th
| district1 = [[Milwaukee County, Wisconsin|Milwaukee]] 13th
| term_start1 = January 6, 1913
| term_start1 = January 6, 1913
| term_end1 = January 4, 1915
| term_end1 = January 4, 1915
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|birth_name = Charles Edward Estabrook
|birth_name = Charles Edward Estabrook
|birth_date = {{Birth date|1847|10|31}}
|birth_date = {{Birth date|1847|10|31}}
|birth_place = [[Grant County, Wisconsin|Grant County]], {{nobreak|[[Wisconsin Territory]], U.S.}}
|birth_place = [[Grant County, Wisconsin|Grant County]], {{nowrap|[[Wisconsin Territory]], U.S.}}
|death_date = {{Death date and age|1918|12|03|1847|10|31}}
|death_date = {{Death date and age|1918|12|03|1847|10|31}}
|death_place = [[Milwaukee]], [[Wisconsin]], U.S.
|death_place = [[Milwaukee]], [[Wisconsin]], U.S.
|restingplace = [[Forest Hill Cemetery (Madison, Wisconsin)|Forest Hill Cemetery]], {{nobreak|[[Madison, Wisconsin]]}}
|restingplace = [[Forest Hill Cemetery (Madison, Wisconsin)|Forest Hill Cemetery]], {{nowrap|[[Madison, Wisconsin]]}}
|occupation = teacher, lawyer, politician
|occupation = teacher, lawyer, politician
|spouse = Jennie Hodges
|spouse = {{marriage|Jennie Hodges|1876|1918}}
|children = At least 3
|children = {{unbulleted list
| Charles Mitchell Estabrook
| Margaret Estabrook
| Francis H. Estabrook
| Mary Estabrook
| George M. Estabrook
| Benjamin H. Estabrook
}}
| awards =
| awards =
| education = {{Plainlist|
| education = {{Plainlist|
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* [[University of Wisconsin–Platteville|Platteville Normal School]]
* [[University of Wisconsin–Platteville|Platteville Normal School]]
}}
}}
|allegiance = {{flag|United States|1864}}
| allegiance = [[United States]]
|branch = {{flag|United States Army}}<br/>[[Union Army]]
| branch = [[United States Volunteers]]<br/>[[Union Army]]
|serviceyears = 1864&ndash;1865
| serviceyears = 1864&ndash;1865
|rank = [[File:Union Army Infantry Corporal.svg|24px]] [[Corporal]], [[United States Volunteers|USV]]
| rank = [[Corporal]], USV
|unit = [[43rd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment|43rd Reg. Wis. Vol. Infantry]]
| unit = [[43rd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment|43rd Reg. Wis. Vol. Infantry]]
|commands =
| commands =
|battles = [[American Civil War]]
| battles = [[American Civil War]]
* [[Franklin–Nashville Campaign]]
* [[Franklin–Nashville Campaign]]
** [[Battle of Johnsonville]]
** [[Battle of Johnsonville]]
** [[Battle of Nashville]]
** [[Battle of Nashville]]
|mawards =
| mawards =
| signature = Signature of Charles Edward Estabrook.png
}}
}}


'''Charles Edward Estabrook''' (October 31, 1847{{spaced ndash}}December 3, 1918)<ref>"Joint Resolution 43 Assembly", ''Journal Proceedings of the ...session of the Legislature of Wisconsin'', Wisconsin Legislature. Assembly, State Printer; 1919, pp. 316–317</ref> was an [[Americans|American]] [[teacher|educator]], [[lawyer]] and [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] politician from the [[U.S. state]] of [[Wisconsin]]. He was the 14th [[Attorney General of Wisconsin]] and served 14 years in the [[Wisconsin State Assembly]], representing first [[Manitowoc, Wisconsin|Manitowoc]] and later [[Milwaukee]]. Earlier in his life, he was also an enlisted [[United States Volunteers|volunteer]] in the [[Union Army]] during the [[American Civil War]]. Later, he founded the Wisconsin Historical Commission and published of several volumes of history of the Civil War for the [[Wisconsin Historical Society]].
'''Charles Edward Estabrook''' (October 31, 1847{{spaced ndash}}December 3, 1918)<ref>{{cite book|url= https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89069540300 |title= Journal Proceedings of the Fifty-Fourth Session of the Wisconsin Legislature |publisher= State of Wisconsin |year= 1919 |location=[[Madison, Wisconsin]] |pages= 316–317 |access-date= January 12, 2021 }}</ref><ref name="jtres">{{cite act|url= https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/1919/related/joint_resolutions/25.pdf |title= Relating to the death and public services of Honorable Charles E. Estabrook | legislature= [[Wisconsin Legislature]] |type= Joint Resolution |year= 1919 |index= 25 |accessdate= January 12, 2021 }}</ref> was an [[Americans|American]] [[teacher|educator]], [[lawyer]], [[Eugenics in the United States|eugenicist]], and [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] politician from the [[U.S. state]] of [[Wisconsin]]. He was the 14th [[Attorney General of Wisconsin]] and served 14 years in the [[Wisconsin State Assembly]], representing first [[Manitowoc, Wisconsin|Manitowoc]] and later [[Milwaukee]]. As a young man, he was an enlisted [[United States Volunteers|volunteer]] in the [[Union Army]] during the [[American Civil War]]. Later, he founded the Wisconsin Historical Commission and published several volumes of history of the Civil War for the [[Wisconsin Historical Society]].


==Early life==
==Early life==
Estabrook was born near [[Platteville, Wisconsin|Platteville]] in [[Grant County, Wisconsin|Grant County]], [[Wisconsin Territory]], on October 31, 1847.<ref name="Obit">{{cite news|title=C. E. Estabrook Dies Suddenly in Milwaukee|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11436142/charles_e_estabrook_18471918/|newspaper=[[The Capital Times]]|date=December 4, 1918|page=1|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|accessdate = June 3, 2017}} {{Open access}}</ref> His father was an early settler of Grant County after it was acquired from the [[Meskwaki]]. Charles worked on his father's farm throughout his childhood, attending the rural [[state school|public school]] during the winter months.<ref name="1913bio">{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1913 |title= The Wisconsin Blue Book |location=[[Madison, Wisconsin]] |year= 1913 |publisher= State of Wisconsin |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1913/reference/wi.wibluebk1913.i0011.pdf |pages= 674-675 |chapter= Part VIII. Biographical Sketches |accessdate= January 12, 2021 }}</ref>
Estabrook was born near [[Platteville, Wisconsin|Platteville]] in [[Grant County, Wisconsin|Grant County]], [[Wisconsin Territory]], on October 31, 1847.<ref name="Obit">{{cite news|title=C. E. Estabrook Dies Suddenly in Milwaukee|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11436142/charles-e-estabrook-1847-1918/ |newspaper= [[The Capital Times]] |date= December 4, 1918|page=1|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|access-date = June 3, 2017}} {{Open access}}</ref> His father was an early settler of Grant County after it was acquired from the [[Meskwaki]]. Charles worked on his father's farm throughout his childhood, attending the rural [[state school|public school]] during the winter months.<ref name="1913bio">{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1913 |title= The Wisconsin Blue Book |location=[[Madison, Wisconsin]] |year= 1913 |publisher= State of Wisconsin |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1913/reference/wi.wibluebk1913.i0011.pdf |pages= 674–675 |chapter= Part VIII. Biographical Sketches |access-date= January 12, 2021 }}</ref>

[[File:Charles E. Estabrook.jpg|thumb|left|Charles E. Estabrook, c. 1864]]


[[File:Charles E. Estabrook.jpg|thumb|left|Charles E. Estabrook, ca.1864]]
==Civil War service==
==Civil War service==
At the outbreak of the [[American Civil War]], Charles was just 13 years old, but was enthusiastic about the Union cause and wanted to join the fight.<ref name="berry">{{cite book|url= https://archive.org/details/historyofbenchba01berr |title= History of the Bench and Bar of Wisconsin |volume= Vol. 1 |publisher= H. C. Cooper, Jr.|location= [[Chicago]] |year= 1898 |last= Berryman |first= John R. |pages=590-592 |accessdate= January 12, 2021 }}</ref> He ultimately was allowed to enlist in the third year of the war, in August 1864, and was assigned to Company B in the newly raised [[43rd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment]]. The regiment was assigned to Tennessee to defend railroad and supply lines, and saw some combat during the [[Franklin–Nashville Campaign]] near the end of the war.<ref name="quin">{{cite book|url= https://archive.org/details/militaryhistoryo00quin |title=The Military History of Wisconsin |publisher= Clarke & Co. |location= [[Chicago]] |year= 1866 |last= Quiner |first=Edwin Bentley |chapter-url= https://archive.org/details/militaryhistoryo00quin/page/858/ |chapter= Regimental History &ndash; Forty-Second to Forty-Third Infantry |pages=859-860 |accessdate= January 12, 2021 }}</ref> Estabrook mustered out of the service in July 1865 as a [[corporal]].
At the outbreak of the [[American Civil War]], Charles was just 13 years old, but was enthusiastic about the Union cause and wanted to join the fight.<ref name="berry">{{cite book|url= https://archive.org/details/historyofbenchba01berr |title= History of the Bench and Bar of Wisconsin |volume= 1 |publisher= H. C. Cooper, Jr.|location= [[Chicago]] |year= 1898 |last= Berryman |first= John R. |pages=590–592 |access-date= January 12, 2021 }}</ref> He ultimately was allowed to enlist in the third year of the war, in August 1864, and was assigned to Company B in the newly raised [[43rd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment]]. The regiment was assigned to Tennessee to defend railroad and supply lines, and saw some combat during the [[Franklin–Nashville Campaign]] near the end of the war.<ref name="quin">{{cite book|url= https://archive.org/details/militaryhistoryo00quin |title=The Military History of Wisconsin |publisher= Clarke & Co. |location= [[Chicago]] |year= 1866 |last= Quiner |first=Edwin Bentley |chapter-url= https://archive.org/details/militaryhistoryo00quin/page/858/ |chapter= Regimental History &ndash; Forty-Second to Forty-Third Infantry |pages=859–860 |access-date= January 12, 2021 }}</ref> Estabrook mustered out of the service in July 1865 as a [[corporal]].


==Early career==
==Early career==
After returning from the Army he attended Platteville Academy and the [[University of Wisconsin–Platteville|Platteville Normal School]], graduating in 1870.<ref name="1913bio"/> He went to work as a [[teacher]] at Platteville and [[Belmont, Wisconsin|Belmont]]. In 1871, moved to [[Manitowoc, Wisconsin|Manitowoc]], where he continued teaching and was placed in charge of the First Ward public school.<ref name="1913bio"/> While working as a teacher, he had studied the law, first under [[William Carter (Wisconsin politician)|William Carter]] at Platteville, and then with J. D. Markham at Manitowoc.<ref name="berry"/> In January 1874, he was admitted to the [[State Bar of Wisconsin]].<ref name="berry"/>
After returning from the Army he attended Platteville Academy and the [[University of Wisconsin–Platteville|Platteville Normal School]], graduating in 1870.<ref name="1913bio"/> He went to work as a [[teacher]] at Platteville and [[Belmont, Wisconsin|Belmont]]. In 1871, he moved to [[Manitowoc, Wisconsin|Manitowoc]], where he continued teaching and was placed in charge of the First Ward public school.<ref name="1913bio"/> While working as a teacher, he had also been studying the law, first under [[William Carter (Wisconsin politician)|William Carter]] at Platteville, and then with J. D. Markham at Manitowoc.<ref name="berry"/> In January 1874, he was admitted to the [[State Bar of Wisconsin]].<ref name="berry"/>


Just a few months after being admitted to the bar, in April 1874, he was elected [[city attorney]] of Manitowoc, holding that office until he won election to the [[Wisconsin State Assembly]] in 1880.<ref name="berry"/>
Just a few months after being admitted to the bar, in April 1874, he was elected [[city attorney]] of Manitowoc, holding that office until he won election to the [[Wisconsin State Assembly]] in 1880.<ref name="berry"/>


==Political career==
==Political career==
In November 1880, he was elected to represent [[Manitowoc County, Wisconsin|Manitowoc County]]'s 3rd assembly district, then comprising the city of Manitowoc and the towns of [[Centerville, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin|Centerville]], [[Manitowoc (town), Wisconsin|Manitowoc]], [[Manitowoc Rapids, Wisconsin|Manitowoc Rapids]] and [[Newton, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin|Newton]]. He was reelected in 1881, but was not a candidate for reelection in 1882. In these first two years in the Assembly, he was assigned to the [[standing committee]]s on the [[judiciary]] and on [[education]],<ref>[http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1881 Heg, J. E., ed. '&#39;The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin 1881'&#39; Madison, 1881; pp. 515, 536]. Digital.library.wisc.edu. Retrieved on January 22, 2016.</ref> and was, in 1882, [[chairman]] of the Committee on Education.<ref>[http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1882 Heg, J. E., ed. '&#39;The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin 1882'&#39; Madison, 1882; pp. 551, 572]. Digital.library.wisc.edu. Retrieved on January 22, 2016.</ref>
In November 1880, he was elected to represent [[Manitowoc County, Wisconsin|Manitowoc County]]'s 3rd assembly district, then comprising the city of Manitowoc and the towns of [[Centerville, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin|Centerville]], [[Manitowoc (town), Wisconsin|Manitowoc]], [[Manitowoc Rapids, Wisconsin|Manitowoc Rapids]] and [[Newton, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin|Newton]]. He was reelected in 1881, but was not a candidate for reelection in 1882. In these first two years in the Assembly, he was assigned to the [[standing committee]]s on the [[judiciary]] and on [[education]],<ref name="bb1881">{{cite report |url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1881 |title= The Blue Book of the state of Wisconsin |year= 1881 |publisher= State of Wisconsin|editor-last= Heg |editor-first= J. E. |location= [[Madison, Wisconsin]] |pages= 515, 536 |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1881/reference/wi.wibluebk1881.i0018.pdf |chapter= Biographical Sketches |access-date= January 22, 2016}}</ref> and was, in 1882, [[chairman]] of the Committee on Education.<ref name="bb1882">{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1882 |title= The Blue Book of the state of Wisconsin |year= 1882 |publisher= State of Wisconsin|editor-last= Heg |editor-first= J. E. |location= [[Madison, Wisconsin]] |pages= 551, 572 |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1882/reference/wi.wibluebk1882.i0022.pdf |chapter= Biographical Sketches |access-date= January 22, 2016}}</ref>


Estabrook was a [[Delegate (American politics)|delegate]] to the [[1884 Republican National Convention]] in Chicago, and in the same year was narrowly re-elected to his old seat, with 1,219 votes to 1,215 for Democrat George Franz. He returned to the judiciary committee, and became chairman of the committee on [[Tax assessment|assessment]] and [[tax collection|collection of taxes]].<ref name="bb1885">{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1885 |title= The Blue Book of the state of Wisconsin |year= 1885 |publisher= State of Wisconsin |editor-last= Heg |editor-first= James E. |location= [[Madison, Wisconsin]] |pages= 434, 452 |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1885/reference/wi.wibluebk1885.i0017.pdf |chapter= Part VIII. Biographical |access-date= January 22, 2016}}</ref>
In 1883, he became engaged in a lawsuit to invalidate the [[Redistricting in the United States|redistricting]] act which had been passed by the [[Wisconsin Legislature]] in 1881. Through his efforts, the legislative map was thrown out by the [[Wisconsin Supreme Court]] and redrawn.<ref name="berry"/>


He was elected [[Attorney General of Wisconsin]] in 1886, with 131,358 votes to 115,949 for Democrat George W. Bird, 21,740 for [[People's Party (United States)|Populist]] John E. Thomas, and 17,247 for [[Prohibition Party|Prohibitionist]] E. W. Chafin (his old Assembly seat fell to Democrat [[Reinhardt Rahr]]<ref>{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1887 |title= The Blue Book of the state of Wisconsin |year= 1887|publisher= State of Wisconsin |editor-last= Timme |editor-first= Ernst G. |location= [[Madison, Wisconsin]] |pages= 483, 502 |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1887/reference/wi.wibluebk1887.i0018.pdf |chapter= Part VIII. Biographical |access-date= January 22, 2016}}</ref>); and re-elected in 1888, with 176,351 votes to 154,943 for Democrat Timothy E. Ryan, 14,582 for Prohibitionist Charles E. Pike, and 8,709 votes for [[Labor Party (United States, 19th century)|Union Labor Party]] candidate Kerellio Shawvan.<ref>{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1889 |title= The Blue Book of the state of Wisconsin |year= 1887|publisher= State of Wisconsin |editor-last= Timme |editor-first= Ernst G. |location= [[Madison, Wisconsin]] |page= 491 |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1889/reference/wi.wibluebk1889.i0015.pdf |chapter= Part VIII. Biographical |access-date= January 22, 2016}}</ref> He was not a candidate for re-election in 1890, and Democrat [[James L. O'Connor]] took over as Attorney-General.
Estabrook was a [[Delegate (American politics)|delegate]] to the [[1884 Republican National Convention]] in Chicago, and in the same year was narrowly re-elected to his old seat, with 1,219 votes to 1,215 for Democrat George Franz. He returned to the judiciary committee, and became chairman of the committee on [[Tax assessment|assessment]] and [[tax collection|collection of taxes]].<ref>[http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1885 Heg, James E., ed. '&#39;The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin. Comprising the Constitutions of the United States and of the State of Wisconsin, Jefferson's Manual, Forms and Laws for the Regulation of Business; also lists and tables for reference, etc. Twenty-Third Volume'&#39; Madison: Democrat Printing Co., State Printers, 1885; pp. 434, 452]. Digital.library.wisc.edu. Retrieved on January 22, 2016.</ref>


In 1893, he was one of the principal instigators of a lawsuit to invalidate the [[Redistricting in the United States|redistricting]] act which had been passed by the [[Wisconsin Legislature]] in 1891. Through his efforts, the legislative map was thrown out by the [[Wisconsin Supreme Court]] and redrawn.<ref name="berry"/><ref name="prog">{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=0x0wiJQG75sC |title= Men of Progress - Wisconsin |publisher= The Evening Wisconsin Company |year= 1897 |editor-last1= Aikens |editor-first1= Andrew J. |editor-last2= Proctor |editor-first2= Lewis A. |pages= 452–453 |access-date= January 12, 2021 }}</ref>
He was elected [[Attorney General of Wisconsin]] in 1886, with 131,358 votes to 115,949 for Democrat George W. Bird, 21,740 for [[People's Party (United States)|Populist]] John E. Thomas, and 17,247 for [[Prohibition Party|Prohibitionist]] E. W. Chafin (his old Assembly seat fell to Democrat [[Reinhardt Rahr]]<ref>[http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1887 Timme, Ernst G., ed. '&#39;The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin 1887'&#39; Madison, 1887; pp. 483, 502]. Digital.library.wisc.edu. Retrieved on January 22, 2016.</ref>); and re-elected in 1888, with 176,351 votes to 154,943 for Democrat Timothy E. Ryan, 14,582 for Prohibitionist Charles E. Pike, and 8,709 votes for [[Labor Party (United States, 19th century)|Union Labor Party]] candidate Kerellio Shawvan.<ref>[http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1889 Timme, Ernst G., ed. '&#39;The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin 1889'&#39; Madison, 1889; p. 491]. Digital.library.wisc.edu. Retrieved on January 22, 2016.</ref> He was not a candidate for re-election in 1890, and Democrat [[James L. O'Connor]] took over as Attorney-General.


Estabrook moved to Milwaukee in 1893 to practice law there. He was elected to the Assembly from the 13th Milwaukee County district (the 13th Ward of the City of Milwaukee) in 1906 to succeed fellow Republican [[Henry Holle]], with 1,224 votes to 905 for [[Socialist Party of America|Socialist]] Henry Leetzen and 593 for Democrat Frank Gerski; he was assigned to the committee on [[cities]] (of which he was made chairman) and the [[Joint committee (legislative)|joint committee]] on [[forestry]].<ref>[http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1907 Beck, J. D., ed. '&#39;The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin'&#39; Madison: Democrat Printing Co., State Printer, 1907; pp. 615, 645, 646, 1163]. Digital.library.wisc.edu. Retrieved on January 22, 2016.</ref> He was narrowly re-elected in 1908, with 1,280 votes to 1,253 for Democrat Charles Wall and 1029 for Socialist Charles Vogel.<ref>[http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1909 Beck, J. D., ed. '&#39;The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin'&#39; Madison: Democrat Printing Co., State Printer, 1909; pp. 531, 1131]. Digital.library.wisc.edu. Retrieved on January 22, 2016.</ref> He did not run in 1910, and the seat was taken by [[Socialist Party of America|Socialist]] [[George Klenzendorff]].
Estabrook moved to Milwaukee in 1893 to practice law there. He was elected to the Assembly from the 13th Milwaukee County district (the 13th Ward of the City of Milwaukee) in 1906 to succeed fellow Republican [[Henry Holle]], with 1,224 votes to 905 for [[Socialist Party of America|Socialist]] Henry Leetzen and 593 for Democrat Frank Gerski; he was assigned to the committee on [[cities]] (of which he was made chairman) and the [[Joint committee (legislative)|joint committee]] on [[forestry]].<ref>{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1907 |title= The Blue Book of the state of Wisconsin |year= 1907 |publisher= State of Wisconsin |editor-last= Beck |editor-first= J. D. |location= [[Madison, Wisconsin]] |page= 1163 |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1907/reference/wi.wibluebk1907.i0014.pdf |chapter= Part VIII. Biographical |access-date= January 22, 2016}}</ref> He was narrowly re-elected in 1908, with 1,280 votes to 1,253 for Democrat Charles Wall and 1029 for Socialist Charles Vogel.<ref>{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1909 |title= The Blue Book of the state of Wisconsin |year= 1909 |publisher= State of Wisconsin |editor-last= Beck |editor-first= J. D. |location= [[Madison, Wisconsin]] |page= 1131 |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1909/reference/wi.wibluebk1909.i0014.pdf |chapter= Part VIII. Biographical Sketches |access-date= January 22, 2016}}</ref> He did not run in 1910, and the seat was taken by [[Socialist Party of America|Socialist]] [[George Klenzendorff]].


He was elected to the Assembly for the last time in 1912 to succeed Klenzendorff (who did not run for re-election), running as a [[electoral fusion|fusion]] anti-Socialist candidate on the Democratic [[ticket (election)|ticket]], even though there was also a Republican nominee. Estabrook received 1,338 votes, to 924 for Socialist Fred Leviash, 602 for Republican former Assemblyman [[Christoph Paulus]] (who had won the Republican [[primary election]]), and 41 for [[Prohibition Party|Prohibitionist]] George H. Schultz. He resumed his old post as chairman of what was now called the Committee on [[Municipalities]].<ref>[http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1913 '&#39;The Wisconsin Blue Book'&#39; Madison: Democrat Printing Co., State Printer, 1913; p. 281, 285, 674–675]. Digital.library.wisc.edu. Retrieved on January 22, 2016.</ref> He did not run for re-election in 1914, and was succeeded by Christoph Paulus.
He was elected to the Assembly for the last time in 1912 to succeed Klenzendorff (who did not run for re-election), running as a [[electoral fusion|fusion]] anti-Socialist candidate on the Democratic [[ticket (election)|ticket]], even though there was also a Republican nominee. Estabrook received 1,338 votes, to 924 for Socialist Fred Leviash, 602 for Republican former Assemblyman [[Christoph Paulus]] (who had won the Republican [[primary election]]), and 41 for [[Prohibition Party|Prohibitionist]] George H. Schultz. He resumed his old post as chairman of what was now called the Committee on [[Municipalities]].<ref name="1913bio"/> He did not run for re-election in 1914, and was succeeded by Republican [[Christoph Paulus]].


He died unexpectedly in Milwaukee on December 3, 1918.<ref name="Obit"/> [[Estabrook Park]], in [[Shorewood, Wisconsin]] is names after him.
He died unexpectedly in [[Milwaukee]] on December 3, 1918.<ref name="Obit"/> [[Estabrook Park]], in [[Shorewood, Wisconsin]], is named after him.


== Legislative legacy ==
==Legislative legacy==
In the Assembly, Estabrook assisted in drafting one of the first bills to pass the assembly providing for a [[bank examiner]]. He was an early advocates of the idea to abolish [[local legislation|special charters]] for cities, and was a member of the commission which drafted a "general charter" for use by new cities. He wrote or was instrumental in enacting laws providing for [[farmers' institutes]], [[social centers]], a Milwaukee County park commission, and a [[state park]] board; the law requiring [[bar examination|examinations]] for [[admission to the bar]]; an anti-[[sweat shop]] law, and a law regulating [[tenement house]]s.<ref name="wihist">{{cite web|url= https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS7489 |title=Estabrook, Charles Edward 1847 - 1918 |website= [[Wisconsin Historical Society]] |accessdate= January 22, 2016}}</ref>
In the Assembly, Estabrook assisted in drafting one of the first bills to pass the assembly providing for a [[bank examiner]]. He was an early advocates of the idea to abolish [[local legislation|special charters]] for cities, and was a member of the commission which drafted a "general charter" for use by new cities. He wrote or was instrumental in enacting laws providing for [[farmers' institutes]], [[social centers]], a Milwaukee County park commission, and a [[state park]] board; the law requiring [[bar examination|examinations]] for [[admission to the bar]]; an anti-[[sweat shop]] law, and a law regulating [[tenement house]]s.<ref name="wihist">{{cite web|url= https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS7489 |title=Estabrook, Charles Edward 1847 - 1918 |website= [[Wisconsin Historical Society]] |access-date= January 22, 2016}}</ref>

==Personal life and family==
Charles Estabrook was the son of Edward Estabrook and his wife Margaret Estabrook (née Mitchell). Edward Estabrook was a native of [[Illinois]] and became an early settler of Grant County after the land was acquired from the [[Meskwaki]], establishing his farm near Platteville in 1836. Edward Estabrook was also a member of the [[Wisconsin State Assembly]], representing Grant County's 3rd district in the [[7th Wisconsin Legislature]] (1854).<ref name="berry"/> Margaret Estabrook died in 1863, and afterward Edward Estarbook moved to [[Iowa]].<ref name="berry"/>

Charles Estabrook married Jennie Hodges at Manitowoc on September 7, 1876. Together they had four sons and two daughters, though both daughters died young, in 1893.<ref name="berry"/> Two of their sons, Charles N. Estabrook and George A. Estabrook, served as officers in the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] during [[World War I]].<ref name="Obit"/>

==Electoral history==
===Wisconsin Assembly (1880, 1881)===
{{Election box begin | title=Wisconsin Assembly, Manitowoc 3rd District Election, 1880<ref name="bb1881"/>}}
| colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| '''General Election, November 2, 1880'''
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Charles E. Estabrook
|votes = 1,410
|percentage = 60.26%
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Adolph Pfening
|votes = 930
|percentage = 39.74%
|change =
}}
{{Election box plurality
|votes = 480
|percentage = 20.51%
|change =
}}
{{Election box total
|votes = 2,340
|percentage = 100.0%
|change =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no swing
|winner = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Wisconsin Assembly, Manitowoc 3rd District Election, 1881<ref name="bb1882"/>}}
| colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| '''General Election, November 8, 1881'''
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Charles E. Estabrook (incumbent)
|votes = 851
|percentage = 53.76%
|change = -6.50%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = George Pankratz
|votes = 732
|percentage = 46.24%
|change =
}}
{{Election box plurality
|votes = 119
|percentage = 7.52%
|change =-13.00%
}}
{{Election box total
|votes = 1,583
|percentage = 100.0%
|change =-32.35%
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no swing
|winner = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

===Wisconsin Assembly (1884)===
{{Election box begin | title=Wisconsin Assembly, Manitowoc 3rd District Election, 1884<ref name="bb1885"/>}}
| colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| '''General Election, November 4, 1884'''
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Charles E. Estabrook
|votes = 1,219
|percentage = 50.08%
|change = +8.80%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = George Pankratz
|votes = 1,215
|percentage = 49.92%
|change =
}}
{{Election box plurality
|votes = 4
|percentage = 0.16%
|change = -17.26%
}}
{{Election box total
|votes = 2,434
|percentage = 100.0%
|change = +32.57%
}}
{{Election box gain with party link
|winner = Republican Party (United States)
|loser = Democratic Party (United States)
|swing = 17.59%
}}
{{Election box end}}

===Wisconsin Attorney General (1886, 1888)===
{{Election box begin | title=Wisconsin Attorney General Election, 1886<ref>{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1887 |title= The Blue Book of the state of Wisconsin |year= 1887|publisher= State of Wisconsin |editor-last= Timme |editor-first= Ernst G. |location= [[Madison, Wisconsin]] |page=252 |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1887/reference/wi.wibluebk1887.i0013.pdf |chapter= Part III. Election Statistics |access-date= January 12, 2021}}</ref>}}
| colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| '''General Election, November 2, 1886'''
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Charles E. Estabrook
|votes = 131,358
|percentage = 45.88%
|change = -7.64%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = George W. Bird
|votes = 115,949
|percentage = 40.50%
|change = +1.97%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labor Party (United States, 19th century)
|candidate = [[John E. Thomas (politician)|John E. Thomas]]
|votes = 21,740
|percentage = 7.59%
|change =
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Prohibition Party
|candidate = E. W. Chafin
|votes = 17,247
|percentage = 6.02%
|change = +3.42%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party =
|candidate = ''Scattering''
|votes = 22
|percentage = 0.01%
|change =
}}
{{Election box plurality
|votes = 15,409
|percentage = 5.38%
|change = -9.61%
}}
{{Election box total
|votes = 286,316
|percentage = 100.0%
|change = -10.07%
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no swing
|winner = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Wisconsin Attorney General Election, 1888<ref>{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1889 |title= The Blue Book of the state of Wisconsin |year= 1887|publisher= State of Wisconsin |editor-last= Timme |editor-first= Ernst G. |location= [[Madison, Wisconsin]] |page= 491 |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1889/reference/wi.wibluebk1889.i0010.pdf |chapter= Part III. Election Statistics |access-date= January 22, 2016}}</ref>}}
| colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| '''General Election, November 6, 1888'''
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Charles E. Estabrook (incumbent)
|votes = 176,351
|percentage = 49.73%
|change = +3.85%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Timothy E. Ryan
|votes = 154,943
|percentage = 43.69%
|change = +3.20%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Prohibition Party
|candidate = Charles E. Pike
|votes = 14,582
|percentage = 4.11%
|change = -1.91%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Labor Party (United States, 19th century)
|candidate = Kerellio Shawvan
|votes = 8,709
|percentage = 2.46%
|change = -5.14%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party =
|candidate = ''Scattering''
|votes = 19
|percentage = 0.01%
|change =
}}
{{Election box plurality
|votes = 21,408
|percentage = 6.04%
|change = +0.66%
}}
{{Election box total
|votes = 354,604
|percentage = 100.0%
|change = +23.85%
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no swing
|winner = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

===Wisconsin Assembly (1906, 1908)===
{{Election box begin | title=Wisconsin Assembly, Milwaukee 13th District Election, 1906<ref>{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1907 |title= The Blue Book of the state of Wisconsin |year= 1907 |publisher= State of Wisconsin |editor-last= Beck |editor-first= J. D. |location= [[Madison, Wisconsin]] |pages= 616, 629 |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1907/reference/wi.wibluebk1907.i0009.pdf |chapter= Part III. Election Statistics |access-date= January 12, 2021}}</ref>}}
| colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| '''General Election, November 6, 1906'''
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Charles E. Estabrook
|votes = 1,224
|percentage = 44.97%
|change = +5.94%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Socialist Party of America
|candidate = Henry F. Leetzen
|votes = 905
|percentage = 33.25%
|change = -2.74%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Frank J. Gerski
|votes = 593
|percentage = 21.79%
|change = -3.20%
}}
{{Election box plurality
|votes = 319
|percentage = 11.72%
|change = +8.67%
}}
{{Election box total
|votes = 2,722
|percentage = 100.0%
|change = -19.52%
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no swing
|winner = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin | title=Wisconsin Assembly, Milwaukee 13th District Election, 1908<ref>{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1909 |title= The Blue Book of the state of Wisconsin |year= 1909 |publisher= State of Wisconsin |editor-last= Beck |editor-first= J. D. |location= [[Madison, Wisconsin]] |pages= 531, 553 |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1909/reference/wi.wibluebk1909.i0009.pdf |chapter= Part III. Election Statistics |access-date= January 12, 2021}}</ref>}}
| colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| '''General Election, November 3, 1908'''
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = Charles E. Estabrook (incumbent)
|votes = 1,280
|percentage = 35.93%
|change = -9.03%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Charles F. Wall
|votes = 1,253
|percentage = 35.18%
|change = +13.39%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Socialist Party of America
|candidate = Charles O. Vogel
|votes = 1,029
|percentage = 28.89%
|change = -4.36%
}}
{{Election box plurality
|votes = 27
|percentage = 0.76%
|change = -10.96%
}}
{{Election box total
|votes = 3,562
|percentage = 100.0%
|change = +30.86%
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no swing
|winner = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

===Wisconsin Assembly (1912)===
{{Election box begin | title=Wisconsin Assembly, Milwaukee 13th District Election, 1912<ref>{{cite report|url= http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/WI.WIBlueBk1913 |title= The Wisconsin Blue Book |year= 1913 |publisher= State of Wisconsin |location= [[Madison, Wisconsin]] |pages= 531, 553 |chapter-url= https://images.library.wisc.edu/WI/EFacs/WIBlueBks/BlueBks/WIBlueBk1913/reference/wi.wibluebk1913.i0006.pdf |chapter= Part III. Election Statistics |access-date= January 12, 2021}}</ref>}}
| colspan="6" style="text-align:center;background-color: #e9e9e9;"| '''General Election, November 5, 1912'''
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = Charles E. Estabrook
|votes = 1,338
|percentage = 46.06%
|change = +15.18%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Socialist Party of America
|candidate = Fred Leviash
|votes = 924
|percentage = 31.81%
|change = -9.88%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = [[Christoph Paulus]]
|votes = 602
|percentage = 20.72%
|change = -6.71%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Prohibition Party
|candidate = George H. Schultz
|votes = 602
|percentage = 20.72%
|change =
}}
{{Election box plurality
|votes = 414
|percentage = 14.25%
|change = +3.45%
}}
{{Election box total
|votes = 2,905
|percentage = 100.0%
|change = -0.99%
}}
{{Election box gain with party link
|winner = Democratic Party (United States)
|loser = Socialist Party of America
|swing = 25.06%
}}
{{Election box end}}


==References==
==References==
Line 98: Line 437:


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Find a grave|86426360| Charles Edward Estabrook }}
* {{Find a Grave|86426360| Charles Edward Estabrook }}
* [https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS7489 Charles Edward Estabrook] at [[Wisconsin Historical Society]]
* [https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS7489 Charles Edward Estabrook] at [[Wisconsin Historical Society]]


{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before = [[Leander F. Frisby]] }}
{{s-ttl|title = {{nowrap|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nominee for [[Attorney General of Wisconsin]]}} |years= 1886, 1888 }}
{{s-aft|after = [[James O'Neill (jurist)|James O'Neill]] }}
{{s-par|us-wi-hs}}
{{s-par|us-wi-hs}}
{{s-bef|before = [[William H. Hemschemeyer]] }}
{{s-bef|before = [[William H. Hemschemeyer]] }}
{{s-ttl|title = {{nobreak|Member of the [[Wisconsin State Assembly]] from the [[Manitowoc County, Wisconsin|Manitowoc]] 3rd district}} |years= January 3, 1881{{spaced ndash}}January 1, 1883 }}
{{s-ttl|title = {{nowrap|Member of the [[Wisconsin State Assembly]] from the [[Manitowoc County, Wisconsin|Manitowoc]] 3rd district}} |years= January 3, 1881{{spaced ndash}}January 1, 1883 }}
{{s-aft|after = [[Wilhelm Albers]] }}
{{s-aft|after = [[Wilhelm Albers]] }}
{{s-bef|before = [[Wilhelm Albers]] }}
{{s-bef|before = [[Wilhelm Albers]] }}
{{s-ttl|title = {{nobreak|Member of the [[Wisconsin State Assembly]] from the [[Manitowoc County, Wisconsin|Manitowoc]] 3rd district}} |years= January 5, 1885{{spaced ndash}}January 3, 1887 }}
{{s-ttl|title = {{nowrap|Member of the [[Wisconsin State Assembly]] from the [[Manitowoc County, Wisconsin|Manitowoc]] 3rd district}} |years= January 5, 1885{{spaced ndash}}January 3, 1887 }}
{{s-aft|after = [[Reinhardt Rahr]] }}
{{s-aft|after = [[Reinhardt Rahr]] }}
{{s-bef|before = [[Henry Holle]] }}
{{s-bef|before = [[Henry Holle]] }}
{{s-ttl|title = {{nobreak|Member of the [[Wisconsin State Assembly]] from the [[Milwaukee County, Wisconsin|Milwaukee]] 13th district}} |years= January 7, 1907{{spaced ndash}}January 2, 1911 }}
{{s-ttl|title = {{nowrap|Member of the [[Wisconsin State Assembly]] from the [[Milwaukee County, Wisconsin|Milwaukee]] 13th district}} |years= January 7, 1907{{spaced ndash}}January 2, 1911 }}
{{s-aft|after = [[George Klenzendorff]] }}
{{s-aft|after = [[George Klenzendorff]] }}
{{s-bef|before = [[George Klenzendorff]] }}
{{s-bef|before = [[George Klenzendorff]] }}
{{s-ttl|title = {{nobreak|Member of the [[Wisconsin State Assembly]] from the [[Milwaukee County, Wisconsin|Milwaukee]] 13th district}} |years= January 6, 1913{{spaced ndash}}January 4, 1915 }}
{{s-ttl|title = {{nowrap|Member of the [[Wisconsin State Assembly]] from the [[Milwaukee County, Wisconsin|Milwaukee]] 13th district}} |years= January 6, 1913{{spaced ndash}}January 4, 1915 }}
{{s-aft|after = [[Christoph Paulus]] }}
{{s-aft|after = [[Christoph Paulus]] }}
{{s-legal}}
{{s-legal}}
Line 123: Line 466:
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Estabrook, Charles E.}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Estabrook, Charles Edward}}
[[Category:1847 births]]
[[Category:1847 births]]
[[Category:1918 deaths]]
[[Category:1918 deaths]]
[[Category:Members of the Wisconsin State Assembly]]
[[Category:Republican Party members of the Wisconsin State Assembly]]
[[Category:People from Platteville, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:People from Platteville, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:People from Manitowoc, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:People from Manitowoc, Wisconsin]]
Line 134: Line 477:
[[Category:University of Wisconsin–Platteville alumni]]
[[Category:University of Wisconsin–Platteville alumni]]
[[Category:Wisconsin Attorneys General]]
[[Category:Wisconsin Attorneys General]]
[[Category:Wisconsin Republicans]]
[[Category:19th-century American legislators]]
[[Category:19th-century American politicians]]
[[Category:19th-century Wisconsin politicians]]

Latest revision as of 02:19, 20 February 2024

Charles E. Estabrook
14th Attorney General of Wisconsin
In office
January 3, 1887 – January 5, 1891
GovernorJeremiah McLain Rusk
William D. Hoard
Preceded byLeander F. Frisby
Succeeded byJames L. O'Connor
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the Milwaukee 13th district
In office
January 6, 1913 – January 4, 1915
Preceded byGeorge Klenzendorff
Succeeded byChristoph Paulus
In office
January 7, 1907 – January 2, 1911
Preceded byHenry Holle
Succeeded byGeorge Klenzendorff
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the Manitowoc 3rd district
In office
January 5, 1885 – January 3, 1887
Preceded byWilhelm Albers
Succeeded byReinhardt Rahr
In office
January 3, 1881 – January 1, 1883
Preceded byWilliam H. Hemschemeyer
Succeeded byWilhelm Albers
Personal details
Born
Charles Edward Estabrook

(1847-10-31)October 31, 1847
Grant County, Wisconsin Territory, U.S.
DiedDecember 3, 1918(1918-12-03) (aged 71)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting placeForest Hill Cemetery, Madison, Wisconsin
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Jennie Hodges
(m. 1876⁠–⁠1918)
Children
  • Charles Mitchell Estabrook
  • Margaret Estabrook
  • Francis H. Estabrook
  • Mary Estabrook
  • George M. Estabrook
  • Benjamin H. Estabrook
Education
Occupationteacher, lawyer, politician
Signature
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Volunteers
Union Army
Years of service1864–1865
RankCorporal, USV
Unit43rd Reg. Wis. Vol. Infantry
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War

Charles Edward Estabrook (October 31, 1847 – December 3, 1918)[1][2] was an American educator, lawyer, eugenicist, and Republican politician from the U.S. state of Wisconsin. He was the 14th Attorney General of Wisconsin and served 14 years in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing first Manitowoc and later Milwaukee. As a young man, he was an enlisted volunteer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Later, he founded the Wisconsin Historical Commission and published several volumes of history of the Civil War for the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Early life[edit]

Estabrook was born near Platteville in Grant County, Wisconsin Territory, on October 31, 1847.[3] His father was an early settler of Grant County after it was acquired from the Meskwaki. Charles worked on his father's farm throughout his childhood, attending the rural public school during the winter months.[4]

Charles E. Estabrook, c. 1864

Civil War service[edit]

At the outbreak of the American Civil War, Charles was just 13 years old, but was enthusiastic about the Union cause and wanted to join the fight.[5] He ultimately was allowed to enlist in the third year of the war, in August 1864, and was assigned to Company B in the newly raised 43rd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. The regiment was assigned to Tennessee to defend railroad and supply lines, and saw some combat during the Franklin–Nashville Campaign near the end of the war.[6] Estabrook mustered out of the service in July 1865 as a corporal.

Early career[edit]

After returning from the Army he attended Platteville Academy and the Platteville Normal School, graduating in 1870.[4] He went to work as a teacher at Platteville and Belmont. In 1871, he moved to Manitowoc, where he continued teaching and was placed in charge of the First Ward public school.[4] While working as a teacher, he had also been studying the law, first under William Carter at Platteville, and then with J. D. Markham at Manitowoc.[5] In January 1874, he was admitted to the State Bar of Wisconsin.[5]

Just a few months after being admitted to the bar, in April 1874, he was elected city attorney of Manitowoc, holding that office until he won election to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1880.[5]

Political career[edit]

In November 1880, he was elected to represent Manitowoc County's 3rd assembly district, then comprising the city of Manitowoc and the towns of Centerville, Manitowoc, Manitowoc Rapids and Newton. He was reelected in 1881, but was not a candidate for reelection in 1882. In these first two years in the Assembly, he was assigned to the standing committees on the judiciary and on education,[7] and was, in 1882, chairman of the Committee on Education.[8]

Estabrook was a delegate to the 1884 Republican National Convention in Chicago, and in the same year was narrowly re-elected to his old seat, with 1,219 votes to 1,215 for Democrat George Franz. He returned to the judiciary committee, and became chairman of the committee on assessment and collection of taxes.[9]

He was elected Attorney General of Wisconsin in 1886, with 131,358 votes to 115,949 for Democrat George W. Bird, 21,740 for Populist John E. Thomas, and 17,247 for Prohibitionist E. W. Chafin (his old Assembly seat fell to Democrat Reinhardt Rahr[10]); and re-elected in 1888, with 176,351 votes to 154,943 for Democrat Timothy E. Ryan, 14,582 for Prohibitionist Charles E. Pike, and 8,709 votes for Union Labor Party candidate Kerellio Shawvan.[11] He was not a candidate for re-election in 1890, and Democrat James L. O'Connor took over as Attorney-General.

In 1893, he was one of the principal instigators of a lawsuit to invalidate the redistricting act which had been passed by the Wisconsin Legislature in 1891. Through his efforts, the legislative map was thrown out by the Wisconsin Supreme Court and redrawn.[5][12]

Estabrook moved to Milwaukee in 1893 to practice law there. He was elected to the Assembly from the 13th Milwaukee County district (the 13th Ward of the City of Milwaukee) in 1906 to succeed fellow Republican Henry Holle, with 1,224 votes to 905 for Socialist Henry Leetzen and 593 for Democrat Frank Gerski; he was assigned to the committee on cities (of which he was made chairman) and the joint committee on forestry.[13] He was narrowly re-elected in 1908, with 1,280 votes to 1,253 for Democrat Charles Wall and 1029 for Socialist Charles Vogel.[14] He did not run in 1910, and the seat was taken by Socialist George Klenzendorff.

He was elected to the Assembly for the last time in 1912 to succeed Klenzendorff (who did not run for re-election), running as a fusion anti-Socialist candidate on the Democratic ticket, even though there was also a Republican nominee. Estabrook received 1,338 votes, to 924 for Socialist Fred Leviash, 602 for Republican former Assemblyman Christoph Paulus (who had won the Republican primary election), and 41 for Prohibitionist George H. Schultz. He resumed his old post as chairman of what was now called the Committee on Municipalities.[4] He did not run for re-election in 1914, and was succeeded by Republican Christoph Paulus.

He died unexpectedly in Milwaukee on December 3, 1918.[3] Estabrook Park, in Shorewood, Wisconsin, is named after him.

Legislative legacy[edit]

In the Assembly, Estabrook assisted in drafting one of the first bills to pass the assembly providing for a bank examiner. He was an early advocates of the idea to abolish special charters for cities, and was a member of the commission which drafted a "general charter" for use by new cities. He wrote or was instrumental in enacting laws providing for farmers' institutes, social centers, a Milwaukee County park commission, and a state park board; the law requiring examinations for admission to the bar; an anti-sweat shop law, and a law regulating tenement houses.[15]

Personal life and family[edit]

Charles Estabrook was the son of Edward Estabrook and his wife Margaret Estabrook (née Mitchell). Edward Estabrook was a native of Illinois and became an early settler of Grant County after the land was acquired from the Meskwaki, establishing his farm near Platteville in 1836. Edward Estabrook was also a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Grant County's 3rd district in the 7th Wisconsin Legislature (1854).[5] Margaret Estabrook died in 1863, and afterward Edward Estarbook moved to Iowa.[5]

Charles Estabrook married Jennie Hodges at Manitowoc on September 7, 1876. Together they had four sons and two daughters, though both daughters died young, in 1893.[5] Two of their sons, Charles N. Estabrook and George A. Estabrook, served as officers in the U.S. Army during World War I.[3]

Electoral history[edit]

Wisconsin Assembly (1880, 1881)[edit]

Wisconsin Assembly, Manitowoc 3rd District Election, 1880[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
General Election, November 2, 1880
Republican Charles E. Estabrook 1,410 60.26%
Democratic Adolph Pfening 930 39.74%
Plurality 480 20.51%
Total votes 2,340 100.0%
Republican hold
Wisconsin Assembly, Manitowoc 3rd District Election, 1881[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
General Election, November 8, 1881
Republican Charles E. Estabrook (incumbent) 851 53.76% -6.50%
Democratic George Pankratz 732 46.24%
Plurality 119 7.52% -13.00%
Total votes 1,583 100.0% -32.35%
Republican hold

Wisconsin Assembly (1884)[edit]

Wisconsin Assembly, Manitowoc 3rd District Election, 1884[9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
General Election, November 4, 1884
Republican Charles E. Estabrook 1,219 50.08% +8.80%
Democratic George Pankratz 1,215 49.92%
Plurality 4 0.16% -17.26%
Total votes 2,434 100.0% +32.57%
Republican gain from Democratic Swing 17.59%

Wisconsin Attorney General (1886, 1888)[edit]

Wisconsin Attorney General Election, 1886[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
General Election, November 2, 1886
Republican Charles E. Estabrook 131,358 45.88% -7.64%
Democratic George W. Bird 115,949 40.50% +1.97%
Labor John E. Thomas 21,740 7.59%
Prohibition E. W. Chafin 17,247 6.02% +3.42%
Scattering 22 0.01%
Plurality 15,409 5.38% -9.61%
Total votes 286,316 100.0% -10.07%
Republican hold
Wisconsin Attorney General Election, 1888[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
General Election, November 6, 1888
Republican Charles E. Estabrook (incumbent) 176,351 49.73% +3.85%
Democratic Timothy E. Ryan 154,943 43.69% +3.20%
Prohibition Charles E. Pike 14,582 4.11% -1.91%
Labor Kerellio Shawvan 8,709 2.46% -5.14%
Scattering 19 0.01%
Plurality 21,408 6.04% +0.66%
Total votes 354,604 100.0% +23.85%
Republican hold

Wisconsin Assembly (1906, 1908)[edit]

Wisconsin Assembly, Milwaukee 13th District Election, 1906[18]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
General Election, November 6, 1906
Republican Charles E. Estabrook 1,224 44.97% +5.94%
Socialist Henry F. Leetzen 905 33.25% -2.74%
Democratic Frank J. Gerski 593 21.79% -3.20%
Plurality 319 11.72% +8.67%
Total votes 2,722 100.0% -19.52%
Republican hold
Wisconsin Assembly, Milwaukee 13th District Election, 1908[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
General Election, November 3, 1908
Republican Charles E. Estabrook (incumbent) 1,280 35.93% -9.03%
Democratic Charles F. Wall 1,253 35.18% +13.39%
Socialist Charles O. Vogel 1,029 28.89% -4.36%
Plurality 27 0.76% -10.96%
Total votes 3,562 100.0% +30.86%
Republican hold

Wisconsin Assembly (1912)[edit]

Wisconsin Assembly, Milwaukee 13th District Election, 1912[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
General Election, November 5, 1912
Democratic Charles E. Estabrook 1,338 46.06% +15.18%
Socialist Fred Leviash 924 31.81% -9.88%
Republican Christoph Paulus 602 20.72% -6.71%
Prohibition George H. Schultz 602 20.72%
Plurality 414 14.25% +3.45%
Total votes 2,905 100.0% -0.99%
Democratic gain from Socialist Swing 25.06%

References[edit]

  1. ^ Journal Proceedings of the Fifty-Fourth Session of the Wisconsin Legislature. Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. 1919. pp. 316–317. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  2. ^ Relating to the death and public services of Honorable Charles E. Estabrook (PDF) (Joint Resolution 25). Wisconsin Legislature. 1919. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "C. E. Estabrook Dies Suddenly in Milwaukee". The Capital Times. December 4, 1918. p. 1. Retrieved June 3, 2017 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  4. ^ a b c d "Part VIII. Biographical Sketches" (PDF). The Wisconsin Blue Book (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. 1913. pp. 674–675. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Berryman, John R. (1898). History of the Bench and Bar of Wisconsin. Vol. 1. Chicago: H. C. Cooper, Jr. pp. 590–592. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  6. ^ Quiner, Edwin Bentley (1866). "Regimental History – Forty-Second to Forty-Third Infantry". The Military History of Wisconsin. Chicago: Clarke & Co. pp. 859–860. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  7. ^ a b Heg, J. E., ed. (1881). "Biographical Sketches" (PDF). The Blue Book of the state of Wisconsin (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. pp. 515, 536. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  8. ^ a b Heg, J. E., ed. (1882). "Biographical Sketches" (PDF). The Blue Book of the state of Wisconsin (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. pp. 551, 572. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  9. ^ a b Heg, James E., ed. (1885). "Part VIII. Biographical" (PDF). The Blue Book of the state of Wisconsin (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. pp. 434, 452. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  10. ^ Timme, Ernst G., ed. (1887). "Part VIII. Biographical" (PDF). The Blue Book of the state of Wisconsin (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. pp. 483, 502. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  11. ^ Timme, Ernst G., ed. (1887). "Part VIII. Biographical" (PDF). The Blue Book of the state of Wisconsin (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. p. 491. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  12. ^ Aikens, Andrew J.; Proctor, Lewis A., eds. (1897). Men of Progress - Wisconsin. The Evening Wisconsin Company. pp. 452–453. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  13. ^ Beck, J. D., ed. (1907). "Part VIII. Biographical" (PDF). The Blue Book of the state of Wisconsin (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. p. 1163. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  14. ^ Beck, J. D., ed. (1909). "Part VIII. Biographical Sketches" (PDF). The Blue Book of the state of Wisconsin (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. p. 1131. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  15. ^ "Estabrook, Charles Edward 1847 - 1918". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  16. ^ Timme, Ernst G., ed. (1887). "Part III. Election Statistics" (PDF). The Blue Book of the state of Wisconsin (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. p. 252. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  17. ^ Timme, Ernst G., ed. (1887). "Part III. Election Statistics" (PDF). The Blue Book of the state of Wisconsin (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. p. 491. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  18. ^ Beck, J. D., ed. (1907). "Part III. Election Statistics" (PDF). The Blue Book of the state of Wisconsin (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. pp. 616, 629. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  19. ^ Beck, J. D., ed. (1909). "Part III. Election Statistics" (PDF). The Blue Book of the state of Wisconsin (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. pp. 531, 553. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  20. ^ "Part III. Election Statistics" (PDF). The Wisconsin Blue Book (Report). Madison, Wisconsin: State of Wisconsin. 1913. pp. 531, 553. Retrieved January 12, 2021.

External links[edit]

Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for Attorney General of Wisconsin
1886, 1888
Succeeded by
Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Manitowoc 3rd district
January 3, 1881 – January 1, 1883
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Manitowoc 3rd district
January 5, 1885 – January 3, 1887
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Milwaukee 13th district
January 7, 1907 – January 2, 1911
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Milwaukee 13th district
January 6, 1913 – January 4, 1915
Succeeded by
Legal offices
Preceded by Attorney General of Wisconsin
January 3, 1887 – January 5, 1891
Succeeded by