Charles H. Larrabee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Honorable
Charles H. Larrabee
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 3rd district |
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| In office March 4, 1859 – March 3, 1861 |
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| Preceded by | Charles Billinghurst |
| Succeeded by | A. Scott Sloan |
| Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court | |
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ex officio
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| In office August 28, 1848 – June 1, 1853 |
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| Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge for the 3rd Circuit | |
| In office August 28, 1848 – September 1858 |
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| Preceded by | Position Established |
| Succeeded by | A. Scott Sloan |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Charles Hathaway Larrabee
November 9, 1820 Rome, New York |
| Died | January 20, 1883 (aged 62) Tehachapi, California |
| Resting place | Masonic Cemetery, San Francisco (originally) Woodlawn Memorial Park, Colma, California (re-interred 1931) |
| Political party | Democratic |
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| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States ArmyUnion Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1863 |
| Rank |  Colonel, USV |
| Unit | 5th Reg. Wis. Vol. Infantry Army of the Potomac Army of the Cumberland |
| Commands | 24th Reg. Wis. Vol. Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Charles Hathaway Larrabee (1820–1883) was an important American politician and soldier. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Wisconsin. He was also a lawyer and an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Early Life and Career
Charles Larrabee was born in Rome, New York, on November 9, 1820. His family later moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Charles went to Springfield Academy and then Granville College from 1834 to 1836. He focused on English, math, and ancient languages.
He later studied law with Congressman Samson Mason in Ohio. Before becoming a lawyer, Larrabee worked as an engineer. He helped survey the Little Miami Railroad. In 1841, he became a lawyer in Pontotoc, Mississippi. That same year, he ran for the Mississippi Legislature but did not win.
In 1844, he moved to Chicago. There, he edited a newspaper called the Democratic Advocate. He was also elected as the city attorney. In 1846, he married Minerva Norton in Chicago.
Life in Wisconsin
In March 1847, Charles and Minerva Larrabee moved to Dodge County, Wisconsin. Charles opened the first business in their new settlement. He sold goods that came from Chicago. These goods were shipped by Lake Michigan to Milwaukee and then traveled over land.
Larrabee became a key leader in the small town. He even gave it the name Horicon. Many people recognize him as one of the city's founders.
In October 1847, Larrabee was chosen to represent Dodge County. He attended the 2nd Wisconsin Constitutional Convention. His main goal was to create a "homestead exemption." This rule would protect people from losing their homes if they had debts.
After Wisconsin's new constitution was approved in 1848, Larrabee was elected Circuit Judge. This role also made him a member of Wisconsin's first Supreme Court. He was the youngest person to serve on that court.
A new Wisconsin Supreme Court was formed in 1852. Larrabee was chosen as the Democratic candidate for Chief Justice. However, he lost the election to Edward V. Whiton.
Larrabee served as a Circuit Judge for ten years. In 1858, he was nominated for the U.S. House of Representatives. He won the election to represent Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district. At that time, his district was the largest in the country by population. It had about 350,000 people.
In Congress, Larrabee strongly supported keeping the United States united. He also defended the loyalty of German American immigrants in Wisconsin.
Larrabee ran for re-election in 1860. He supported Stephen A. Douglas, the Democratic candidate for U.S. President. Douglas lost to Abraham Lincoln. Larrabee also lost his seat in Congress.
Service in the Civil War
When news of the attack on Fort Sumter reached Wisconsin, Larrabee took action. He wrote to a Democratic newspaper, the Milwaukee News. He urged his party to support the Union. He also offered his help to Wisconsin Governor Alexander Randall.
On April 18, 1861, Larrabee joined the Horicon Guard militia as a private. He was soon elected as a 2nd Lieutenant. The militia quickly went to Milwaukee to join a Volunteer Regiment. On May 28, 1861, Governor Randall made Larrabee a Major. He joined the 5th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
Larrabee and the 5th Regiment marched to Washington, D.C. They later joined the Army of the Potomac.
In 1862, the Regiment joined the Peninsula Campaign. Larrabee took part in the Siege of Yorktown (1862). He helped attack a fortress along the Warwick River. Days later, his regiment fought hard at Fort Magruder during the Battle of Williamsburg. Larrabee was praised for leading and inspiring his regiment during the battle.
After the battle, Larrabee became ill. He recovered at White House, Virginia, but his illness continued to bother him.
That summer, new Wisconsin regiments were formed. Governor Edward Salomon asked Larrabee to organize and lead the new 24th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment. In August, Larrabee was promoted to Colonel. His regiment was quickly sent to Kentucky, even before much training.
The 24th Regiment joined the Army of the Cumberland. They arrived in time for the Battle of Perryville. This battle ended the Confederate invasion of Kentucky. During the fight, the 24th was assigned to protect a cannon battery. This battery was attacked by a Confederate brigade. Larrabee was praised by his commander for his leadership in defending the battery.
After this battle, Larrabee became ill again. He recovered in Nashville, Tennessee. His regiment fought in the Battle of Stones River without him. In March 1863, Larrabee returned to his regiment for a short time. However, he had to resign in August due to his ongoing illness.
Later Years and Death
In 1864, Larrabee was still suffering from his illnesses. He traveled to California, Nevada, and Oregon to find a better climate. In Oregon, he practiced law with an old friend. He later returned to California, where his wife died in 1873.
After his wife's death, he moved to Seattle in the Washington Territory. He became part of a state constitutional convention. He also helped start a state university in Seattle.
Larrabee eventually settled in San Bernardino, California. There, he continued his law practice.
Charles Larrabee died in a train accident on January 20, 1883. The accident happened near Tehachapi, California. He was survived by a son and a daughter. He was first buried in the Masonic Cemetery in San Francisco. Later, in 1931, he was re-interred at Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Colma, California.
The town of Larrabee, Wisconsin is named in his honor.
