E.F. Hensel

E.F. Hensel
County Judge
(1909, 1920-1930)"To have one's acts on the stage of life encored and witness their approval in the eyes of those served, is probably the highest attainments which even the greatest of man can expect. And if I may add my personal testimony to that of the public, I take pleasure in saying that Judge Hensel's last services as a public officer were also best. He took pride in his work as a judge and in solving problems involving important rights of the state or individuals, mercy, reason and duty always co-operated with him in the judgement seat." -By Hon. H. A. Anderson, presentation to Board of Wisconsin County Judges December 14, 1930

Earl Franklin Hensel was born on February 2, 1875, in Glencoe Township, Buffalo County, Wisconsin. He was one of eleven children. His family moved to Arcadia in 1875 where he spent his youth. He excelled in athletics. He graduated with honors form Arcadia High School in 1892. He taught school for several years in Buffalo and Trempealeau Counties and in North Dakota. He entered the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1897 and graduated in 1900.

He began his career as a lawyer in Blair and also helped edit the Blair Press. In 1904, he was appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of the District Attorney. He was elected District Attorney in 1904 and 1906. In 1909, he was appointed County Judge to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Hon. R.S. Cowie. In 1912, he was once more elected District Attorney. Then, in 1919, he was elected County Judge, an office that he held until his death on November 3, 1930.

Judge Hensel was President of the Wisconsin County Judges Association. His contemporaries knew Judge Hensel for his geniality and kind-heartedness. He was active in community clubs, parent-teacher associations, Boy Scouts, and similar organizations. He was survived by a wife and daughter.

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