17th Wisconsin Legislature

The Seventeenth Wisconsin Legislature convened from January 13, 1864, to April 4, 1864, in regular session.

Senators representing odd-numbered districts were newly elected for this session and were serving the first year of a two-year term. Assembly members were elected to a one-year term. Assembly members and odd-numbered senators were elected in the general election of November 3, 1863. Senators representing even-numbered districts were serving the second year of their two-year term, having been elected in the general election held on November 4, 1862.

Major events

 * January 4, 1864: Inauguration of James T. Lewis as the 7th Governor of Wisconsin.
 * May 5–7, 1864: Battle of the Wilderness took place in Spotsylvania County and Orange County, Virginia. Four regiments of Wisconsin Volunteers participated in the battle.
 * May 9–21, 1864: Battle of Spotsylvania Court House took place in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Five regiments of Wisconsin Volunteers participated in the battle.
 * May 31 – June 12, 1864: Battle of Cold Harbor took place in Hanover County, Virginia. Five regiments of Wisconsin Volunteers participated in the battle.
 * September 2, 1864: Union Army occupied Atlanta, Georgia.
 * November 8, 1864: Abraham Lincoln re-elected as President of the United States.

Major legislation

 * February 19, 1864: Act to organize the county of Burnett, and locate the county seat thereof, 1864 Act 74
 * February 26, 1864: Joint Resolution relative to the extension of time for the payment of government bounties to volunteers, 1864 Joint Resolution 2
 * March 5, 1864: Joint Resolution relative to the vigorous prosecution of the war, the duty of congress and the people, tendering thanks to the army and navy, and suggesting the renomination of Abraham Lincoln, 1864 Joint Resolution 4
 * March 22, 1864: Act to incorporate "Marquette College" in the second ward of the city of Milwaukee, 1864 Act 180
 * April 4, 1864: Act to guard against the abuse of the elective franchise, and to preserve the purity of elections, by a registration of electors, 1864 Act 445

Sessions

 * 1st Regular session: January 13, 1864 – April 4, 1864

Senate leadership

 * President of the Senate: Wyman Spooner
 * President pro tempore: Smith S. Wilkinson

Assembly leadership

 * Speaker of the Assembly: William W. Field

Members of the Senate
Members of the Wisconsin Senate for the Seventeenth Wisconsin Legislature:

Members of the Assembly
Members of the Assembly for the Seventeenth Wisconsin Legislature:

Senate employees

 * Chief Clerk: Frank M. Stewart
 * Assistant Clerk: P. H. Brady
 * Bookkeeper: J. Spooner
 * Engrossing Clerk: Sineus B. Dibble
 * Enrolling Clerk: Thomas Marshall
 * Transcribing Clerk: F. O. Wisner
 * Sergeant-at-Arms: Nelson Williams
 * 1st Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms: H. Esperson
 * 2nd Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms: John B. Eugene
 * Postmaster: Henry H. Taylor
 * Assistant Postmaster: S. Raymond
 * Doorkeeper: G. M. Cary
 * Assistant Doorkeeper: J. P. Miller
 * Assistant Doorkeeper: J. H. Jones
 * Assistant Doorkeeper: Otis A. Albee
 * Assistant Doorkeeper: William P. Close
 * Gallery Doorkeeper: B. S. Miller
 * Firemen:
 * Barnet Wilson
 * William W. Baker
 * William Holden
 * Messengers:
 * John C. Hutchins
 * Albert F. Dexter
 * Rufus H. Roys
 * William C. Jones
 * C. C. Frey
 * Frank C. Freeman
 * Porter: John Crowley

Assembly employees

 * Chief Clerk: John S. Dean
 * Assistant Clerk: Ephraim W. Young
 * Bookkeeper: E. L. Fitzhugh
 * Engrossing Clerk: A. L. Rockwell
 * Enrolling Clerk: J. H. Balch
 * Transcribing Clerk: A. C. Byers
 * Sergeant-at-Arms: Alexander McDonald Thomson
 * 1st Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms: William P. Forsyth
 * 2nd Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms: Lewis M. Hammond
 * Postmaster: N. A. Spooner
 * 1st Assistant Postmaster: Hiram Beckwith
 * 2nd Assistant Postmaster: Oscar Babcock
 * Doorkeepers:
 * Franklin Kelly
 * W. L. Abbott
 * W. E. Angell
 * C. Saran
 * C. E. Tanburg
 * William Spencer
 * Firemen:
 * Oliver Johnson
 * A. C. Stannard
 * Robert Axon
 * C. McCarthy
 * Speaker's Messenger: Adam C. Waltz
 * Chief Clerk's Messenger: James E. Dean
 * Sergeant-at-Arms' Messenger: Arthur Tilden
 * Messengers:
 * Moses Flesh
 * Patrick McKanna
 * Robert Airis
 * Louis Sholes
 * Marion M. Young
 * William P. Beach
 * Linus S. Webb
 * Fred Chynoweth