I made my home and the California trip was abandoned." He began practicing law and was appointed attorney for the Milwaukee and Watertown Plankroad Company. It was in 1854 that his community position and influence gave him voice to call for a convention and name the Republican Party in the Madison, Wisconsin, in July, 1854. Family life Hurlbut was married to Catherine Chandler in 1840 and they had three daughters together, Julia Augusta, Henrietta Catherine and Kate Florabell. It was before the days of title insurance, and he lost the home he paid for to foreclosure, and traveled West looking for a new start with his wife Catherine. From nothing he built a fine reputation and income to support his family. His wife Catherine died in 1864 and he remarried the following December to Mary H. Farner of Waukesha. His third marriage was October 14, 1886 to Margaret (Margie) Spearing of New Orleans, Louisiana, and they had two daughters, Edwina (1887–1981) and Margie (1889–1979). His second family enjoyed the fruits of his youthful labors, and the daughters of his old age reflect that he and his young wife Margie (43 years his junior) had always appeared to be in love. She assisted him in the newspaper business, which she managed after his death for eighteen months until she sold it. Hurlbut was referred to as a man of positive character, a self reliant, self-made man, who worked his own way through life; and as a lawyer ranked among the best talent in the state. He was a man of strong convictions, steadfast in purpose, and unwavering in his dedication to what he believed to be right. He was a staunch prohibitionist and was never known to drink alcohol, but with a twinkle in his eye, he would say he didn't drink nor smoke, but he did have one weakness — women. Religion Hurlbut was originally a Baptist, and built, mainly at his own expense, a church for the Oconomowoc Baptist Society, at the cost of $5000.00. It was destroyed by a wind storm and never rebuilt. He later became a member of the Episcopalian church. He was also a 32nd degree Mason, a Knight Templar, a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, and held the office of Grand worthy Patriarch of the Grand division of the Sons of Temperance of the State of Wisconsin. Political life In 1832, before political parties