James C. Kerwin

James Charles Kerwin (May 14, 1850 – January 29, 1921) was an American lawyer and judge from Wisconsin. He was a justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court for the last 16 years of his life (1905–1921).

The Honorable
James C. Kerwin
Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court
In office
January 1, 1905 – January 29, 1921
Preceded byNew Seat
Succeeded byChristian Doerfler
Member of the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents
In office
February 1, 1901 – February 1, 1904
Appointed byRobert M. La Follette
Preceded byOrlando E. Clark
Succeeded byFlorence Griswold Buckstaff
Personal details
Born
James Charles Kerwin

(1850-05-14)May 14, 1850
Menasha, Wisconsin
DiedJanuary 29, 1921(1921-01-29) (aged 70)
Madison, Wisconsin
Spouses
  • Helen Lawson
  • (m. 1877)
ChildrenJessie, Alice, Grace, Doris
Parents
  • Michael Kerwin (father)
  • Mary Buckley (mother)
RelativesJim Sensenbrenner (great-grandson)
EducationUniversity of Wisconsin Law School
Professionlawyer, judge

Biography

Born in Menasha, Wisconsin, he attended the common schools and graduated from Menasha High School.[1] He studied at the University of Wisconsin Law School and, after his graduation in 1875, returned to Winnebago County, starting a law practice at Neenah.[1] He was elected city attorney of Neenah, and served in that role for 12 years and was appointed to the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents in 1901 by Governor Robert M. La Follette.[1]

In 1904, he was elected to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, taking office in January 1905. He was re-elected in 1914 and served until his death in 1921.[2] He died unexpectedly at his home in Madison.[1]

Personal life and family

Kerwin married Helen Lawson in 1877. They had four daughters.

Jim Sensenbrenner, who represented Wisconsin for 42 years in the United States House of Representatives is the great-grandson of Justice Kerwin through his daughter, Grace, who married John Stilp Sensenbrenner of Neenah.

References
  1. "Supreme Court Justice Kerwin Dies". The Capital Times. January 29, 1921. p. 1. Retrieved January 27, 2021 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  2. "Justice James C. Kerwin, Wisconsin Supreme Court". Archived from the original on June 9, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2011.


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