Henry Clay Sloan facts for kids

Henry Clay "Harry" Sloan (born August 12, 1846 – died January 19, 1915) was an American lawyer and politician. He served two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly, which is like a state parliament. His father, A. Scott Sloan, and uncle, Ithamar Sloan, were also important politicians. They both served in the United States House of Representatives, which is part of the U.S. Congress.

Henry Sloan's Early Life

Henry C. Sloan was born in DeRuyter, New York, on August 12, 1846. When he was eight years old, in 1854, his family moved west. They settled in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, where Henry grew up and went to school. Later, he went to New York City to study law with his uncle.

Military Service in the Civil War

While studying in New York, Henry decided to join the army. He ran away from his uncle's home and joined a New York regiment. This was during the American Civil War, and he fought for the Union Army.

In December 1863, he joined the 5th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. He served as a private in Company D. He fought in major battles like the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Courthouse, North Anna, Cold Harbor, and the Siege of Petersburg.

In July 1864, Henry was made a 2nd lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. However, when they found out he was only 17 years old, he had to leave. He then joined the Wisconsin volunteers again. He became a 1st lieutenant in the new 48th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment.

Henry served with the 48th Wisconsin Infantry until the war ended. After the war, he became a 2nd lieutenant in the regular U.S. Army. He was promoted to 1st lieutenant in July 1866. He served with the 4th U.S. Infantry Regiment until the end of 1870. During this time, he helped with railroad construction in the western United States.

Legal and Political Career

After leaving the Army, Henry Sloan went back to studying law. He studied in his father's office in Beaver Dam. He passed his law exams on March 5, 1872. He worked as a lawyer in Beaver Dam until 1875.

In 1875, he moved to Appleton, Wisconsin. There, he was quickly elected as the city attorney. He held this job from 1876 to 1880. In the fall of 1880, he was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly. He served in the Assembly during the 1881 session.

After his time in the Assembly in 1881, he moved to Milwaukee. He worked in a law firm with Winfield Smith until 1889. During this period, he changed his political party. He switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party. He remained a strong Republican for the rest of his life.

Later, Henry moved to Superior, Wisconsin. There, he worked in the real estate business. He was again elected as the city attorney for Superior. He also served on the board of public works and was president of the board of education.

In 1894, he was elected to the State Assembly for a second time. This time, he represented Douglas County. After the 1895 legislative session, he was appointed district attorney of Douglas County. He filled the term of C. J. Monson, who had passed away. He was then elected to a full term as district attorney in 1896, serving until 1898.

In 1901, Henry Sloan returned to Appleton. He continued his law practice there until he passed away in 1915. He died on January 19, 1915.

Henry Sloan's Family Life

Henry Sloan was one of eight children. His parents were A. Scott Sloan and Mary Angeline "Ann" (Dodge) Sloan. His father, A. Scott Sloan, was a very important lawyer in early Wisconsin. He also served as a U.S. congressman, the Wisconsin Attorney General, and a Wisconsin circuit court judge. Henry's uncle, Ithamar Sloan, was also a well-known lawyer and a U.S. congressman.

Henry Sloan married Helen Lois Phinney on November 19, 1879. Helen was from Green Lake, Wisconsin. Her family history connected her to John Howland, who signed the Mayflower Compact. Henry and Helen did not have any children.

Election Results

Wisconsin Assembly Election (1880)

In 1880, Henry C. Sloan ran for the Wisconsin Assembly in the Outagamie 1st District.

Wisconsin Assembly Election (1894)

In 1894, Henry C. Sloan ran for the Wisconsin Assembly again, this time for the Douglas District.