Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1896-10-01

John Colt Spooner, whose one term in
the United States Senate was alike cred
liable to himself and of exceptional serv-
ice to the state, was born in Lawrence
burg, Dearbon county, Ind, on the 9th
day Of January, 1S43. His father, Philip
| Spooner, distinguished as lawyer of
profound learning and a judge whose jul
dicial ability and integrity were recog-
| nized of all with whom he came in con-
tact, was a native of New Bedford and
of English descent, his ancestors coming
from the region of Colchester, England,
to Massachusetts in 1887. His mothers
name was Colt, and she was descended
from a Welsh family that settled in New
England several generation ago, and was
distinguished, as most of those of that
nativity are, for intellectual ability, and
courage of thought and action. The
Spooners were actively identified with the
early history of the country, entering
with zeal and intelligence into all the civil
and military struggles out of which came
the fair fabric of civil and religious iber-
ty, heretofore unseen of men and scarcely
embodied in the visions of philosophers or
poets Philip Spooner, the great grand
father of the subject of this sketch and
his brother were in the fight at Licking
ton, and both rendered distinguished and
most valuable service in the Revolution
airy conflicts. The maternal great grand
1atueI, odHluel OOll, WAS also all OIl1CeF
in the Revolutionary army, a man of ex-
ceptlonal courage and prowess, who in
the formation of the civil institutions of
New England welded the influence
which men of positive nature always.
exert, especially in all formative peri
DDS. The SpOoners and Colts were
also prominent in the war of 1924,
and in the Mexican war. Benjamin
| Spooner, an uncle of John c., not only
rendered brilliant service in the Mexican
war, but recruited the first regiment
that was mustered into the service from
Indiana against the rebellion. He was
subsequently appointed United States
marshal for the district of Indiana, and
had much to do with hunting out the
knights of the Golden Circle and other
secret -treasonable organizations against
the peace and integrity of the country.
In this, position he incurred no little
personal danger and rendered his coun-
try most valuable service. His final
commission as marshal was the last pa
per signed by President Lincoln before
his cowardly assassination.
! Judge Spooner removed with his famf-
| ~ to Madison, Wis, in June, 1859, where
he spent the remainder of his life in the
practice of his profession, establishing
! reputa ton for legal acumen, which is
| largely inherited by his distinguished
son. John G. completed his prepare
| ton for college in the schools of Madi-
consin in 1860 at the age of II, becoming
at once a leader of his class. and gradu-
ating with honor in 1864. Scarcely had
| he closed his university course, when,
with the blood of long line of patriotic
| ancestors tingling in his youthful veins,
he enlisted as a private in Co. d. For
/ tieth regiment of Wisconsin infantry,
which was largely recruited from stu
dents and teachers of Wisconsin colleges
and other institutions of learning. At
/ the end of hundred days service he re-
enlisted for three years, or during the
war;" as captain of Co. A, Fiftieth regi-
ment, and was detailed to Fort Leaven-
| worth and later to the far Northwest to
prevent outbreaks of the Indians. This
was, in many respects, disagreed BILE
young men of the nation found in the
marches and battles for the preservation
E, of the Union; but the duties of this
! frontier service were performed with
that energy and fidelity which has char
, acterized all his public life; and, when
out, it was with the rank of brevet
major, and a record for faithful, efficient
! discharge of duty of which many an old
er soldier might well be proud.
At the close of his military service he
was appointed military and private sec
! same time, he began the study of law
under the direction of his father, and
was admitted to the bar in 1867. The
following year, so thorough had been
his studies, so comprehensive his knowl
edge of the principles of the law and so
| mature his Judgment, that he was ap-
pointed assistant Encouragement to
Charles r. Gill and subsequently to s.
| S. Barlow; and so faithfully and with
| such ability did he discharge the duties
Of this position that he rapidly acquired
| a reputation as lawyer which soon be-
came as wide as the state and gave
prophecy of the distinction which he has
Since attained in the profession.
| In 1870 he removed to Hudson, Wis,
where he engaged in legal practice;
speedily acquiring an extensive and va
| ried business. and enhancing his reputa-
| ful LAWYER In 1872, while still under
20 years of age, he was elected mem
| Der of the lower house Of the state Leg