4th Wisconsin Legislature

The Fourth Wisconsin Legislature convened in regular session from January 8, 1851, to March 17, 1851. Senators representing odd-numbered districts were newly elected for this session and served the first year of a two-year term. Assembly members were elected to a one-year term. Assembly members and odd-numbered senators were elected in the general election on November 5, 1850. Senators representing even-numbered districts were serving the second year of their two-year term, having been elected in the general election held on November 6, 1849.

The governor of Wisconsin during this entire term was Democrat Nelson Dewey, of Grant County, serving the second year of his second two-year term, having won re-election in the 1849 Wisconsin gubernatorial election.

Major events

January 20, 1851: Henry Dodge re-elected United States Senator by the Wisconsin Legislature in joint session.
November 4, 1851: Leonard J. Farwell elected Governor of Wisconsin.

Major legislation

January 22, 1851: Joint resolution in relation to the Honorable Isaac P. Walker, 1851 Joint Resolution 1
February 1, 1851: Act to incorporate the Fire Department of the City of Milwaukee, 1851 Act 26
February 4, 1851: Act providing for the election of a Chief Justice, 1851 Act 39
February 6, 1851: Act to set apart and incorporate the County of Oconto, 1851 Act 44
February 11, 1851: Act to set apart and incorporate Door County, 1851 Act 66
February 15, 1851: Act to set apart and incorporate the County of Waushara, 1851 Act 77
February 17, 1851: Act to incorporate the County of Waupaca, 1851 Act 78
February 17, 1851: Act to divide the county of Brown and create the county of Outagamie, 1851 Act 83
March 10, 1851: Act to prevent the killing of deer in certain months of the year, 1851 Act 171
March 11, 1851: Act to change the name of the town of "Pike" in Kenosha county to "Somers," 1851 Act 211

Party summary

Senate summary

Assembly summary

Sessions

1st Regular session: January 8, 1851–March 17, 1851

Leaders

Senate leadership

President of the Senate: Samuel Beall, Lieutenant Governor
President pro tempore: Duncan Reed

Assembly leadership

Speaker of the Assembly: Frederick W. Horn

Members

Members of the Senate

Members of the Wisconsin Senate for the Fourth Wisconsin Legislature:

Members of the Assembly

Members of the Assembly for the Fourth Wisconsin Legislature:

Employees

Senate employees

Chief Clerk: William Hull
Sergeant-at-Arms: Enias D. Masters

Assembly employees

Chief Clerk: Alexander T. Gray
Sergeant-at-Arms: Charles S. Kingsbury