William R. Gorsline

William Richard Gorsline (January 28, 1824 – March 30, 1879) was an associate justice of the Colorado Territorial Supreme Court from 1866 to 1870. He also worked as a circuit court judge in Wisconsin and a district judge in Colorado.

Early life

Gorsline was born in Manlius, New York on January 28, 1824. He was orphaned and an uncle raised him. He did well in school and began studying law in his hometown. In 1845, he moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and continued studying law with Frank Randall and was admitted to the bar later that year. He then opened up his own law office in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. In 1845 and 1846, he served as the register of deeds for Sheboygan County.[1]

From 1850 to 1851, he served as a county judge in Sheboygan County. Then from about 1851 to July 1858, he served as the third judge of the fourth judicial circuit of the state of Wisconsin. At that time, he resigned and moved to Colorado.[1]

Career in Colorado

In Colorado, Gorsline settled in Gilpin County[2] and established a law practice. In 1860, President James Buchanan appointed him district judge, a position to which President Andrew Johnson later reappointed him. On June 18, 1866, President Johnson appointed him to serve as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the Territory of Colorado. He served on the court until 1870.[1][3]

Death

Gorsline died in Denver on March 2, 1879. He is buried in Wildwood Cemetery in Sheboygan.[4][5]

References
  1. Anderson, James Sibree (1921). Pioneer courts and lawyers of Manitowoc County, Wis. : collections and recollections. Manitowoc, Wis.: The Manitowoc Pilot. pp. 33–36.
  2. Smiley, J.C.; Goudy, F.C. (1913). Semi-centennial History of the State of Colorado. Semi-centennial History of the State of Colorado. Brookhaven Press. p. 654. ISBN 978-1-4035-0045-8. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  3. Logan, J.K.; Hemming, J.T. (1992). The Federal Courts of the Tenth Circuit: A History. The Federal Courts of the Tenth Circuit: A History. U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. p. 44. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
  4. "State matters". The Fort Collins Courier. 1 (87). 1879-03-06. p. 2. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
  5. "Personal", The Oshkosh Northwestern (March 5, 1879), p. 4.
Political offices
Preceded by
Charles F. Holly		 Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court
1866–1870		 Succeeded by
James B. Belford


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