SPOONER, John Colt, senator, born in Law-renceburg, Indiana, 6 January, 1843. His father, Judge Philip L. Spooner, was an authority on the law of real estate. The family removed to Madison, Wisconsin, in June, 1859, and the son was graduated at the state university in 1864, when he enlisted as a private in the 40th Wisconsin infantry. He subsequently returned and served as assistant state librarian, but entered the army again as captain in the 50th Wisconsin regiment. After he was mustered out in July, 1866, with the brevet of major, he studied law with his father, was admitted to the bar in 1867, became Governor Lucius Fairchild's private secretary, and was then assistant in the attorney-general's office till 1870, when he removed to Hudson, Wisconsin, and began the general practice of his profession. He was elected a member of the legislature in 1872, and was active in his support of the state university, on whose board of regents he served in 1882-'5. In 1885 he took his seat in the United States senate, having been chosen as a Republican for the term that will end in March, 1891.