third its area. He thus became the circuit rider of a large district, and member of the Supreme Court. He served until the separ ate court was organized, in 1853. When Levi Hubbell's term as chief justice expired, in 1852, Judge Jackson was unanimously chosen by the judges as chief justice, but he gracefully declined, to give place to Chief-Justice Whiton, whom he insisted was the worthier for the place. Thereupon Whiton was chosen. Judge Jackson left a good record as judge. He was a man of great personal dignity and very courteous and considerate to all. He was impartial and just, and his opinions bespeak a clear and vigorous intel lect. In 1857 he was a prominent candidate for the United States Senate. From 1853 to 1861 he practiced law. He was then appointed by President Lincoln as consul to Halifax. The place was an important one during the war, as it was naval headquarters for Confederates. The consul must keep a close watch of them and report to his gov ernment. Through his vigilance, it is said, millions of dollars' worth of material was captured as contraband of war. Judge Jackson was one of the best in formed men on the fisheries controversy, and wrote, in 1870, at the request of the Secretary of State, a report upon the fisher ies and fishery laws of Canada, in which he set forth in forcible and vigorous argument, but dignity and courtesy of style, the rights of American fishermen. In 1880 he was tendered the appointment of consul general at Melbourne, but he de clined the appointment. In 1882, he ten dered his resignation as consul, which was accepted with many acknowledgments of his long and faithful public service. The city authorities of Halifax voted him an address, in the usual terms of distinguished consid eration, expressing appreciation of his cour tesy and ability in performing his duties. He returned to his old home in Madison, Wisconsin, where he had resided before
going to Halifax, and spent the rest of his days in leisurely retirement. His high courtesy and most agreeable manners made him a social favorite and welcome guest in all Madison homes. He was always a culti vated and refined gentleman. He had accumulated a competency, and as he left no immediate relatives his fortune was mainly bequeathed to the Regents of the University for the benefit of the law depart ment. He died of old age on October 13,1 889, at Madison, as an inmate of a hotel, with no kindred to attend him in his last sickness. WlRAM KNOWLTON was born in Chenango County, New York, January 24, 1816. He came to Wisconsin in 1837, and studied law with Perley Eaton, Esq., at Mineral Point. He was admitted to the Bar and began practice at Platteville in Grant Coun ty, and afterwards he removed to Prairie du Chien on the Mississippi River, the site of Fort Crawford, where a military force was stationed during the early history and up till after the Mexican War, somewhat famous as the place where Jeff Davis courted the daughter of the colonel of the post — the brave Zack Taylor. Here Knowlton became prominent as a lawyer and citizen. He took much interest in military mat ters, and in 1846 was empowered to raise a company of volunteers to occupy Fort Crawford at Prairie du Chien and was com missioned captain. He is said to have been a strict disciplinarian, and drilled his men with a regularity that they did not like. They were enlisted from a class who did not like to be treated as common sol diers, and all wanted to wear officer's uni forms. The most interesting record of his military service is of his precautions to keep whiskey out of the garrison, and his finding at last how his efforts were thwarted. The whiskey was drawn in through the lines by a string, in a package covered with cat-skin to resemble a cat. In the night time the
