Charles H. Larrabee

Charles Hathaway Larrabee (November 9, 1820 – January 20, 1883) was an American lawyer, Democratic politician, and Wisconsin pioneer. He served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district during the 36th Congress (1859–1860). Before being elected to Congress, he was one of Wisconsin's first state circuit court judges, and because of that role was an ex officio member of Wisconsin's first state Supreme Court (1848–1853).

After his term in Congress, he enrolled in the Union Army and commanded the 24th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment in the American Civil War. Later in life he practiced law in California, where he died in the 1883 Tehachapi train wreck.

Early life Larrabee was born in Rome, New York on November 9, 1820, the son of Charles Larrabee of Connecticut. His family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where young Charles attended Springfield Academy and then Granville College from 1834 to 1836. At Granville he specialized in English studies, mathematics and ancient languages. Later, he read law with Samson Mason and W.A. Rogers in Springfield, Ohio.

Family In 1840, Larrabee married Minerva Norton. They were the parents of a son, Charles, and a daughter, Minerva ("Minnie"). Minnie Larrabee was the wife of George H. Burton. In April 1868 he was elected city attorney. None of the officials elected at that time served, however, and the election "seems to have been wholly ignored."

Larrabee eventually settled in San Bernardino, California, where he resumed his law practice. He was survived by a son and daughter. Interment was in the Masonic Cemetery, San Francisco.

An attempt was made in the settlement of his estate to show that the claim by his second wife was not legitimate, but she produced a marriage certificate and letters to show that it was, and the marriage was therefore allowed in San Bernardino Superior Court. In June 1884, John Anderson, executor of Larrabee's estate, filed a court action in San Bernardino against the Central Pacific Railroad, asking $100,000 in damages.

The town of Larrabee, Wisconsin, is named in his honor.

Electoral history Wisconsin Supreme Court (1852)

U.S. House of Representatives (1858, 1860)