1852 Wisconsin Supreme Court elections

1852 Wisconsin Supreme Court elections

September 1852 1855  →

The inaugural elections for the Wisconsin Supreme Court was held in September 1852, with the court's original three judgeships (a chief justice two associate justice seats) being filled. ^[1]

Chief justice election

1860  →

Candidate Edward V. Whiton Charles H. Larrabee Party Independent Democratic Popular vote 10,520 9,806 Percentage 53.48% 45.40%

Elected Chief Justice Edward V. Whiton Independent

Chief Justice election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
General Election, September 1852
	Independent	Edward V. Whiton	11,792	54.60
	Democratic	Charles H. Larrabee	9,806	45.40
Plurality			1,986	9.20
Total votes			21,598	100
	Independent win (new seat)

Associate justice election won by Crawford

1855  →

Candidate Samuel Crawford Wiram Knowlton Party Democratic Independent Popular vote 10,520 9,151 Percentage 53.48% 46.52%

Elected Justice Samuel Crawford Democratic

Result ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
General Election, September 1852
	Democratic	Samuel Crawford	10,520	53.48
	Independent	Wiram Knowlton	9,151	46.52
Plurality			1,369	6.96
Total votes			19,671	100
	Democratic win (new seat)

Associate justice election won by Smith

1859  →

Candidate Abram D. Smith Marshall Strong Party Democratic Independent Popular vote 10,837 10,410 Percentage 51.00% 49.00%

Elected Justice Abram D. Smith Democratic

Result ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
General Election, September 1852
	Democratic	Abram D. Smith	10,837	51.00
	Independent	Marshall Strong	10,410	49.00
Plurality			427	2.01
Total votes			21,247	100
	Democratic win (new seat)

References

1. "Portraits of Justice" (PDF). Wisconsin Courts. Wisconsin Historical Society Press. 2003. p. IX. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
2. "Judicial Election". Racine Advocate. October 13, 1852. p. 2. Retrieved April 7, 2023– via Newspapers.com.