Earl W. Schmidt
- July 14, 2024
- 88 years
About Earl W. Schmidt
Earl W. Schmidt, 88, American politician and jurist, member of the Wisconsin State Assembly (1975–1982).
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Full Biography
|Earl William Schmidt (March 11, 1936 – July 14, 2024) was an American lawyer, farmer, politician, and judge. He served nearly 20 years (1982–2002) as a Wisconsin circuit court judge in the Shawano–Menominee circuit, and was chief judge of the 9th district of Wisconsin circuit courts from 1992 through 1998. Earlier in his career, he was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, serving four terms as a Republican (1975–1983).
Biography
Born in Birnamwood, Shawano County, Wisconsin, Schmidt graduated from Birnamwood High School. He then attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he received his bachelor's degree in political science in 1962, and continued his education, receiving his master's degree in agricultural economics and public administration in 1964. After receiving his master's degree, he spent five years abroad in Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and Brazil on program to assist developing nations in building infrastructure. He would later return again to further his education at the University of Wisconsin Law School, receiving his J.D. degree in 1972. He worked his land for 25 years as a farmer and practiced law in Shawano County.
In early public offices, Schmidt served as chairman of the Richmond Town Board. His first job after law school was as an assistant district attorney in Shawano and Menominee counties, and he was elected district attorney for Shawano and Menominee Counties for 1973 and 1974.
Schmidt was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly as a Republican in 1974, winning the general election by a wide margin after topping a closely contested Republican primary. He was re-elected in 1976, 1978, and 1980. He was defeated seeking re-election in 1982 after a 1981 redistricting plan put him in the same district as Democratic incumbent representative Lloyd H. Kincaid. Immediately after his defeat, however, he expressed his interest in running for the Wisconsin circuit court seat being vacated by the retirement of Judge Michael G. Eberlein. Three weeks later, outgoing Governor Lee S. Dreyfus appointed Schmidt to the judgeship, and he won an election for a full term in April 1984.
In 1992, the Wisconsin Supreme Court appointed Judge Schmidt to serve as chief judge for the 9th judicial administrative district of Wisconsin circuit courts. He was re-appointed in 1994 and 1996, serving the maximum of three two-year terms as chief judge.
Judge Schmidt was re-elected without opposition in 1990 and 1996 and retired at the end of his third full term in 2002. After retirement, however, Schmidt continued to serve as a reserve judge and filled in for several cases in Marathon and Langlade counties.
Personal life and family
Schmidt married Judy Eckhardt of Langlade County in 1975. They had three daughters and one son together. He died at his home in Birnamwood on July 14, 2024, at the age of 88.
Electoral history
Wisconsin Assembly (1974, 1976, 1978, 1980)
Wisconsin Assembly (1982)
Wisconsin Circuit Court (1984, 1990, 1996)
Content from Wikipedia — licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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Sources
- Wikipedia
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_W._Schmidt
- CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sep 26, 2026
- View article
- Sep 26, 2026
Trivia & Knowledge· 15 questions
Questions drawn from Earl W. Schmidt's archived record and the sources above.
1.In what city and state was Earl W. Schmidt born?
- A.Shawano, Wisconsin
- B.Madison, Wisconsin
- C.Langlade, Wisconsin
- D.Birnamwood, Wisconsincorrect
Earl W. Schmidt was born in Birnamwood, Shawano County, Wisconsin.
Source: Biography section
2.When did Earl W. Schmidt receive his bachelor's degree in political science?
- A.1960
- B.1964
- C.1962correct
- D.1972
Earl W. Schmidt graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison with a bachelor's degree in political science in 1962.
Source: Biography section
3.After receiving his master's degree, in which of the following countries did Earl W. Schmidt spend five years assisting with infrastructure development?
- A.Brazilcorrect
- B.Chile
- C.Mexico
- D.Argentina
Earl W. Schmidt spent five years abroad in Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and Brazil on a program to assist developing nations.
Source: Biography section
4.What degree did Earl W. Schmidt earn from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1972?
- A.J.D.correct
- B.Master of Laws
- C.LL.M.
- D.Ph.D.
Earl W. Schmidt returned to the University of Wisconsin Law School and received his J.D. degree in 1972.
Source: Biography section
5.What was the first public office held by Earl W. Schmidt after law school?
- A.Circuit court judge
- B.Chairman of the Richmond Town Boardcorrect
- C.District attorney for Shawano County
- D.Wisconsin State Assembly representative
In early public offices, Earl W. Schmidt served as chairman of the Richmond Town Board.
Source: Biography section
6.Why was Earl W. Schmidt defeated in his 1982 re-election bid for the Wisconsin State Assembly?
- A.He lost in the primary election
- B.He resigned early to become a judge
- C.He decided to retire from politics to farm full time
- D.A redistricting plan placed him in the same district as Lloyd H. Kincaidcorrect
Earl W. Schmidt was defeated in 1982 because a redistricting plan placed him in the same district as Democratic incumbent Lloyd H. Kincaid.
Source: Biography section
7.Who appointed Earl W. Schmidt to the Wisconsin circuit court judgeship in 1982?
- A.The Wisconsin Supreme Court
- B.Judge Michael G. Eberlein
- C.The voters of Shawano County
- D.Governor Lee S. Dreyfuscorrect
Outgoing Governor Lee S. Dreyfus appointed Earl W. Schmidt to the judgeship in 1982.
Source: Biography section
8.How many years did Earl W. Schmidt serve as a Wisconsin circuit court judge in the Shawano–Menominee circuit?
- A.Nearly 20 yearscorrect
- B.15 years
- C.10 years
- D.25 years
Earl W. Schmidt served nearly 20 years from 1982 to 2002 as a Wisconsin circuit court judge.
Source: Biography section
9.What title did the Wisconsin Supreme Court appoint Earl W. Schmidt to in 1992?
- A.State Assembly Speaker
- B.Supreme Court Justice
- C.Chief Judge of the 9th judicial administrative districtcorrect
- D.District Attorney
In 1992, the Wisconsin Supreme Court appointed Judge Schmidt to serve as chief judge for the 9th judicial administrative district.
Source: Biography section
10.What is the maximum number of terms Earl W. Schmidt served as chief judge?
- A.Three termscorrect
- B.Five terms
- C.Two terms
- D.Four terms
Earl W. Schmidt served the maximum of three two-year terms as chief judge.
Source: Biography section
11.After retiring as a circuit court judge, what role did Earl W. Schmidt continue to perform?
- A.Reserve judgecorrect
- B.Assistant district attorney
- C.Member of the Town Board
- D.State Assembly member
After retirement, Earl W. Schmidt continued to serve as a reserve judge and filled in for several cases in Marathon and Langlade counties.
Source: Biography section
12.Who was Earl W. Schmidt's wife?
- A.Mary Kincaid
- B.Susan Eberlein
- C.Elizabeth Dreyfus
- D.Judy Eckhardtcorrect
Earl W. Schmidt married Judy Eckhardt of Langlade County in 1975.
Source: Personal life and family section
13.How many children did Earl W. Schmidt have?
- A.Four sons
- B.Three daughters and one soncorrect
- C.Two sons and two daughters
- D.Two daughters and one son
Earl W. Schmidt and his wife had three daughters and one son together.
Source: Personal life and family section
14.On what date did Earl W. Schmidt pass away?
- A.July 14, 2024correct
- B.March 11, 2024
- C.April 15, 2024
- D.January 14, 2024
Earl W. Schmidt died at his home in Birnamwood on July 14, 2024.
Source: Personal life and family section
15.For how many years did Earl W. Schmidt work his land as a farmer?
- A.25 yearscorrect
- B.15 years
- C.30 years
- D.20 years
Earl W. Schmidt worked his land for 25 years as a farmer.
Source: Biography section
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