George Gale (Wisconsin politician)
George W. Gale (November 30, 1816 – April 18, 1868) was an American lawyer, judge, politician, and Wisconsin pioneer. He served as a Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge and as a member of the Wisconsin State Senate. He was the founder of Galesville, Wisconsin, and Gale College, and was one of the creators of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin.
The Honorable George W. Gale | |
---|---|
Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge for the 6th Circuit | |
In office June 1, 1856 – 1861 | |
Preceded by | Wiram Knowlton |
Succeeded by | Isaac E. Messmore |
Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 14th district | |
In office January 1, 1850 – January 1, 1852 | |
Preceded by | John W. Boyd |
Succeeded by | Eleazer Wakeley |
Personal details | |
Born | Burlington, Vermont | November 30, 1816
Died | April 18, 1868 51) Galesville, Wisconsin | (aged
Resting place | Gale College Cemetery Galesville, Wisconsin |
Political party | Free Soil |
Spouse(s) |
|
Children |
|
Profession | lawyer, judge |
Biography
Born in Burlington, Vermont, Gale was admitted to the Vermont bar. He then moved to Wisconsin Territory, where he practiced law in Walworth County. In 1847 he was elected District Attorney and as a delegate to the second Wisconsin Constitutional Convention.[1]
Gale was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate as a member of the Free Soil Party, representing the 14th senate district—Walworth County.[2] Gale moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he became a Wisconsin county judge and then was elected Wisconsin Circuit Court judge for the 6th circuit. Gale bought land north of La Crosse and helped plat the city of Galesville, Wisconsin, in order to found Gale College; he is responsible for the creation of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin.[3] During the American Civil War, Judge Gale served with the United States Sanitary Commission. He died in Galesville.[4][5]
Notes
- Wisconsin Historical Society-George Gale
- State of Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. "Members of the Wisconsin Legislature 1848–1999". Information Bulletin 99-1 (September 1999), p. 7.
- "Gale College Founder's Day To Be Celebrated On Sunday". LaCrosse Tribune and Leader Press. 26 April 1935. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
- History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, 1917
- Trempealeau County, Wisconsin Circuit Court-George Gale