Charles V. Bardeen

Charles V. Bardeen was born in Brookfield, New York, on September 23, 1850.[1][2] As a child, he moved to a farm in Wisconsin with his family in 1854, where he was raised and educated. He graduated from high school in 1870, then taught school and read law at a law firm in Edgerton, Wisconsin.[2]

In the early 1870s, he was summoned to Colorado by Alva Adams, a friend of his from school who would later become the governor of Colorado. He worked with Adams on a business venture in Colorado Springs, but returned to Wisconsin after about two years.[2]

On his return to Wisconsin, he entered the University of Wisconsin Law School, where he graduated in 1875.[2][1] He practiced law in Wausau, Wisconsin, served 17 years as city attorney there, and was superintendent of Wausau's public schools.[2]

In 1891, the Wisconsin Legislature created two new circuits of the Wisconsin circuit courts. Bardeen ran for the new 16th circuit judgeship in the Spring 1891 election prevailed with about 61% of the vote.[3] He served six years as circuit judge, and then, in January 1898, he was appointed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court by Governor Edward Scofield. Bardeen replaced Alfred W. Newman, who had died earlier that month. The following April, Bardeen was elected without opposition to finish out the remainder of Newman's judicial term, expiring at the end of 1903.[4]

He died from stomach cancer in Madison, Wisconsin, on March 20, 1903.[5]

He married Frances Harmina Miller on June 17, 1876, and they had three children.[1]

• Judge Charles Valdo Bardeen at Find a Grave
• Justice Charles V. Bardeen at Wisconsin Court System