1st Wisconsin Legislature

The First Wisconsin Legislature convened from June 5, 1848, to August 21, 1848, in regular session. Members of the Assembly and Senate were elected after an election on February 1, 1848, that ratified the proposed state constitution.

Wisconsin's first governor, Democrat Nelson Dewey, of Grant County, was sworn in on the 3rd day of this legislative term. He was the only governor of Wisconsin during this legislative term.

Major events

May 8, 1848: Nelson Dewey elected Governor of Wisconsin.
May 29, 1848: Wisconsin was admitted to the Union as the 30th State.
June 7, 1848: Inauguration of Nelson Dewey as the first Governor of Wisconsin.
June 8, 1848: The Wisconsin Legislature, in joint session, elected Henry Dodge and Isaac P. Walker as United States Senators.
November 7, 1848: Zachary Taylor elected President of the United States. Wisconsin's electoral votes went to his opponent, Lewis Cass.

Major legislation

June 21, 1848: Joint resolution relative to free territory, 1848 Joint Resolutions p.285
June 21, 1848: Act concerning the Attorney General, 1848 Acts pp.10-11
June 29, 1848: Act to prescribe the duties of the State Treasurer, 1848 Acts pp.13-15
June 29, 1848: Act to divide the State of Wisconsin into Congressional Districts, 1848 Acts pp.15-16
June 29, 1848: Act to provide for the election of Judges and for the classification and organization of the Judiciary of the State of Wisconsin, 1848 Acts pp.19-24
July 26, 1848: Act to establish the University of Wisconsin, 1848 Acts pp.37-40
July 29, 1848: Act to Exempt a Homestead from forced sale, 1848 Acts pp.40-41
August 8, 1848: Act to incorporate the City of Racine in the county of Racine, 1848 Acts pp.80-100
August 12, 1848: Act prescribing the powers and duties of the Secretary of State, 1848 Acts pp.115-120
August 16, 1848: Act to provide for the Election and define the duties of State Superintendent of Public Instruction, 1848 Acts pp.127-129
August 21, 1848: Act to provide for holding general and special Elections, the time when, the manner of holding the same, and the qualifications, disabilities, and privileges of electors, 1848 Acts pp.191-207
August 21, 1848: Act in relation to Public Schools, 1848 Acts pp.226-247

Party summary

Senate summary

Assembly summary

Sessions

1st Regular session: June 4, 1848August 21, 1848

Leaders

Senate leadership

President of the Senate: John E. Holmes, Lieutenant Governor

Assembly leadership

Speaker of the Assembly: Ninian E. Whiteside

Members

Members of the Senate

Members of the Wisconsin Senate for the First Wisconsin Legislature (19):

Members of the Assembly

Members of the Assembly for the First Wisconsin Legislature (66):

Employees

Enrolling Clerk: Aaron V. Fryer

Senate employees

Chief Clerk: Henry G. Abbey
Writer: R. L. Ream
Writer: Henry Lines
Writer: E. P. Lockhart
Sergeant-at-Arms: Lyman H. Seaver
Chaplain: H. W. Reed

Assembly employees

Chief Clerk: Daniel Noble Johnson
Chief Clerk pro tem: L. F. Kellogg
Assistant Clerk: T. A. B. Boyd
Writer: Ira W. Bird
Writer: James Murdock
Messenger: Henry Starks
Doorkeeper: Samuel Parkhurst
Sergeant-at-Arms: John Mullanphy
Chaplain: John Penman
Chaplain: Charles Lord