Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1910-01-12
WICKHAM, JUDGE
IN NEW CIRCUIT
VETERAN OF EAU CLAIRE
COUNTY BAR ASSUMES ~
plcIAL FUNCTION.

Eau Claire. Jan. 6Eau claire
county is no longer a part of the sew,
enteenth judicial circuit--Iudge
James O'Neilrs circuit. 1t became
today a part OF the new judicial cir.
cult, the nineteenth. comprising the
counties of Eau Claire. Chippewa.
Sawyer and Rusk. And Mr.. Wick.
ham, who was elected as Judge OF
the latter circuit has begun his OF.
fetal term as Judge.
Eau Claire county on the Judicial
map is Joined with Sawyer and Rusk
count es formerly of Judge Parish's
circuit, the Fifteenth. and with Chip
pewa county, formerly of Judge
Wines circuit, the eleventh
The only other change Is that
Juneau county is transferred from
sixth judicial circu to the seven,
teeath, taking the place OF Eau Claire
county in Judge oNenrs circuit.
Judge Wickbam filed his oath with
the secretary Of state some time ago
As court reporter Judge w ckham
has announced the appointment Of At
torney A. II. Shoemaker Of this city
Judge Wiekham will not hold a
regular term OF court in Eau Claire
county until March However. ne
will hold court here before that time
to hear and pass on motions, etc A
motion is set for argument before
him in this city for next Monday,
week from today.
judge Wickham's Career.
James Wickham was born ON a
farm in kichiand county. Wis, on
January a. 1862 He received his
early schooling in the rural schools
of the county and afterwards at
tended he state university and was
graduated from the law school in
June, 1886, when he was admitted to
the bar Prior to his graduation he
taught district school for several
terms, He commenced the practice
Of law at Fan Claire, Wisconsin, IN
August $50. and from that me con
tinuousIy has been engaged In active
practice He was city attorney of
The city of can Clare from 1898 t'l
1905, with The exception OF The year
1899. lie was counsel fer the city in
the famous litigation over the AZ bi.
tration and purchase OF the wafer
works by the city OF Eau Claire
which resulted in sweeping decision
Of the arbitrators and OF Judge yinje
who tried the case in the circuit
court and thereby the city OF Eau
Claire today Is the owner Of a splen
did waterworks system.
Mr Wickham's work at the bar
has been diversified, and he has had
an unusual experience in trying all
kinds Of cases I'm court ever since his
admission to the bar His practice
has been general one, divided
about equally in prosecuting and de-
tending all kinds Of actions. He has
undoubtedly argued more cases in the
supreme court OF Wisconsin during
the % years Of his practice than
any lawyer in northern Wisconsin,
having taken part in The arguments
T.
He has tried cases In almost every
county in northern Wisconsin, and has
tried many cases not only In the
circuit aud county courts Of the 81 ate,
and the state supreme corut, but in
the United States circuit court, the
United States court Of appeals, the
United states supreme court, the SIT
preme Court Of Illinois and the Sin.
preme court Of Minnesota
lie is just in the prime Of life. be-
ing As years of age. and brings to the
office the ripest experience, a thor
ough knowledge Of practice and
most comprehensive and intimate
knowledge of all branches of the law.
Mr., Wickham. personally, is pos
gessed Of great industry and execu-
tive ability and dignity, combined
with the judicial temperament in an
unusual degree.