William S. Purdy

William Smith Purdy (August 28, 1822 – January 5, 1901) was an American farmer, judge, Republican politician, and Wisconsin pioneer. He was a member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 30th Senate district during the 1863 session. He also served as county judge of Vernon County, Wisconsin, where he famously won a Wisconsin Supreme Court case invalidating his own election defeat in 1873.

Early life William S. Purdy was born in Carlisle, Indiana, in August 1822. His father died when he was 11 years old, and Purdy went to work assisting his mother. Because of limited funds and few schooling options, Purdy was mostly educated by subscription school. At age 15, he went to work as an apprentice saddler in his native town. He continued pursuing that trade until 1845, when he moved west to the Wisconsin Territory. He initially settled in Mineral Point, where he went to work in the booming mining industry. While living in Viroqua, Purdy again resumed his craft as a harness maker and opened the first harness shop in the village. His son, Brice Field Purdy, took over the business sometime before the 1880s. and went on to serve in the Wisconsin Senate for the 1863 session. Purdy was not a candidate for re-election to the Senate in 1863.

Purdy returned to elected office in 1869, when he was elected county judge. He ultimately served eight years in office, surviving a contested re-election race in 1873.

Later years Purdy did not run for another term in 1877, and left office in 1878. Later that year, suffering from poor health, he decided to move south to a warmer climate. He relocated to Pratt County, Kansas, where he resided for much of the rest of his life.

Personal life and family William S. Purdy married Jane Elizabeth Lemen in 1846 at Knox County, Indiana. They had ten children together, though at least one died young.

Electoral history Vernon County Circuit Court Clerk (1859, 1861, 1863, 1865)

Vernon County Judge (1869, 1873)