Ithamar Sloan

Ithamar Sloan was a prominent American lawyer and politician who served as a U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district from 1863 to 1867. A member of the Republican Party during his congressional tenure, Sloan was also known for his involvement in the legal community and his contributions to the development of Wisconsin's legal framework. After his time in Congress, he continued to influence the state's legal landscape as assistant attorney general and later as dean of the law department at the University of Wisconsin. His legacy includes significant contributions to the state's legal history and the early political landscape of Wisconsin.

Early life and career

Ithamar C. Sloan was born on May 9, 1822, in Morrisville, New York. He received his early education in local common schools and furthered his studies at an academy in the area. Sloan pursued a career in law, studying under Timothy Jenkins in Oneida County, New York. He was admitted to the bar in 1848, marking the beginning of his legal career. Shortly after his admission, he was elected as the first village clerk of Canastota, New York, which represented his initial foray into public service.

Sloan practiced law in Oneida County until 1853, when he relocated to Wisconsin in search of new opportunities. Upon arriving in Janesville, Wisconsin, he established a legal practice and was admitted to the Wisconsin bar in December of the same year. He formed a legal partnership with LaFayette Patten, another newcomer from New York, and their partnership later expanded to include John R. Bennett. Together, they provided legal services and engaged in real estate representation, contributing to the burgeoning legal community in Wisconsin.

In the years following his arrival in Wisconsin, Sloan became actively involved in the political landscape, particularly with the emerging Republican Party. By 1856, he was recognized as a potential candidate for circuit court judge. His political career began to take shape when he was elected city attorney of Janesville during the second term of the city council in April of that year. Sloan's ambitions continued to grow, and in 1857, he sought the Republican nomination for the Wisconsin State Assembly, though he was not successful against William A. Lawrence.

Sloan's political involvement deepened in the following years. He was elected without opposition to the Janesville city council in the spring of 1858 and was later nominated for district attorney of Rock County by the county Republican convention. He won the election in November and served a two-year term, resigning from the city council shortly after taking office. He was re-elected as district attorney in 1860, further solidifying his reputation in the Wisconsin legal and political communities. His prominence was recognized when he served as an honorary pallbearer at the funeral of Chief Justice Edward V. Whiton in 1859.

During the 1860 campaign for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Sloan supported his brother, A. Scott Sloan, who was the Republican candidate. Ithamar acted as an informal character witness for his brother, affirming his commitment to certain political positions. Although A. Scott Sloan lost the election, Ithamar's political career continued to gain momentum, and he was elected to Congress later that year from Wisconsin's newly established 2nd congressional district.

House tenure

Sloan's congressional career began in 1863, following his election to the U.S. House of Representatives. His election came during a significant period of change for Wisconsin's congressional delegation, which had expanded from three to six members after the 1860 reapportionment. The new 2nd congressional district, which Sloan represented, included Rock County, Dane County, and parts of Columbia and Jefferson counties. Notably, there was no incumbent representative in the newly drawn district, which provided Sloan with an opportunity to establish himself in Congress.

In the lead-up to his nomination, Sloan received strong support from the Rock County delegation at the Republican congressional district convention. However, he faced considerable competition from Benjamin F. Hopkins, who was backed by influential figures in Dane County. The nomination process was contentious, with multiple rounds of voting taking place. Eventually, after a prolonged contest, Hopkins withdrew in favor of David Atwood, a popular newspaper publisher from Madison, allowing Sloan to secure the nomination.

Sloan's time in Congress coincided with the American Civil War, a period during which he was a vocal supporter of the Union cause. His commitment to the war effort was evident through his active participation in organizing and funding the Rock County soldier's relief fund, which provided financial assistance to the families of soldiers serving in the conflict. His congressional tenure lasted until 1867, during which he contributed to discussions and decisions that shaped the nation during a tumultuous time.

Legislative focus and committees

During his time in the House of Representatives, Sloan was involved in various legislative matters pertinent to the era. His focus was largely aligned with the Republican Party's agenda, which included issues related to the Civil War, reconstruction efforts, and the broader political landscape of the nation. Sloan's contributions in Congress were reflective of his commitment to the Union and the principles of the Republican Party during a critical period in American history.

After completing his congressional terms, Sloan continued to engage in public service and legal work. He served as assistant attorney general of Wisconsin under his brother, A. Scott Sloan, where he played a significant role in defending the state's Granger Laws. His legal expertise was further demonstrated when he represented Lavinia Goodell in her petitions to become the first woman admitted to practice law in Wisconsin, marking a notable milestone in the state's legal history.

In the later years of his career, Sloan transitioned into academia, becoming the dean of the law department at the University of Wisconsin. His involvement in the legal community extended to being one of the founders of the State Bar of Wisconsin, contributing to the establishment of a professional organization for lawyers in the state. Throughout his life, Sloan maintained a connection to the Republican Party, although he briefly aligned with the Liberal Republican movement in the 1870s before returning to the Republican fold.

Ithamar Sloan passed away on December 24, 1898, leaving behind a legacy marked by his contributions to law, politics, and the development of Wisconsin's legal framework. His career spanned significant events in American history, and his influence can still be felt in the state's legal and political institutions.