William Richard Gorsline (January 28, 1824 – March 30, 1879) was an associate justice of the Colorado Territorial Supreme Court from 1866 to 1870. He previously served as a circuit court judge in Wisconsin and a district judge in Colorado.
The Honorable William R. Gorsline | |
|---|---|
| Justice of the Supreme Court of the Colorado Territory | |
| In office 1866–1870 | |
| Appointed by | Andrew Johnson |
| Preceded by | Charles F. Holly |
| Succeeded by | James B. Belford |
| Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge for the 4th circuit | |
| In office June 1, 1855 – July 1858 | |
| Preceded by | Timothy O. Howe |
| Succeeded by | David Taylor |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 28, 1824 Manlius, New York |
| Died | March 30, 1879 (aged 55) Denver, Colorado |
| Resting place | Wildwood Cemetery, Sheboygan, Wisconsin |
| Political party | Democratic |
Early life
editGorsline was born in Manlius, New York, on January 28, 1824. He was orphaned and an uncle raised him. He did well in school and began studying law in his hometown. In 1845, he moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin Territory, and continued studying law with Frank Randall and was admitted to the bar later that year. He then opened up his own law office in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. In 1845 and 1846, he served as the register of deeds for Sheboygan County.[1]
From 1850 to 1851, he served as a county judge in Sheboygan County. Then from about 1851 to July 1858, he served as the third judge of the fourth judicial circuit of the state of Wisconsin. At that time, he resigned and moved to Colorado.[1]
Career in Colorado
editIn Colorado, Gorsline settled in Gilpin County[2] and established a law practice. In 1860, President James Buchanan appointed him district judge, a position to which President Andrew Johnson later reappointed him. On June 18, 1866, President Johnson appointed him to serve as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the Territory of Colorado. He served on the court until 1870.[1][3]
Death
editGorsline died in Denver on March 2, 1879. He is buried in Wildwood Cemetery in Sheboygan.[4][5]
References
edit- ^ a b c Anderson, James Sibree (1921). Pioneer courts and lawyers of Manitowoc County, Wis. : collections and recollections. Manitowoc, Wis.: The Manitowoc Pilot. pp. 33–36. hdl:2027/wu.89067401695.
- ^ Smiley, J.C.; Goudy, F.C. (1913). Semi-centennial History of the State of Colorado. Semi-centennial History of the State of Colorado. Brookhaven Press. p. 654. ISBN 978-1-4035-0045-8. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
- ^ Logan, J.K.; Hemming, J.T. (1992). The Federal Courts of the Tenth Circuit: A History. The Federal Courts of the Tenth Circuit: A History. U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. p. 44. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
- ^ "State matters". The Fort Collins Courier. Vol. 1, no. 87. 1879-03-06. p. 2. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
- ^ "Personal", The Oshkosh Northwestern (March 5, 1879), p. 4.