the Fugitive Slave Act was unconstitutional, he agreed with the federal court's interpretation of their jurisdiction. His dissent resulted in him losing the support of the Republican Party for his re-election in 1860. Nevertheless, he was able to obtain re-election as an independent. And was re-elected two more times after that. Dixon resigned from the court in 1874 to return to private legal practice. He distinguished himself again in this phase, representing the State of Wisconsin in upholding the constitutionality of the state's railroad regulation "Granger" laws. Family and personal life Luther Dixon married Mary Eliza Woods. They had five children together, though only four survived to adulthood. Dixon suffered from asthma and moved to Denver, Colorado, in 1879 for the health benefits, though he maintained a home in Wisconsin as well. He died in 1891 while visiting Milwaukee on his way back from a trip to Washington, D.C. References Category:People from Milton, Vermont Category:People from Portage, Wisconsin Category:Lawyers from Milwaukee Category:Chief Justices of the Wisconsin Supreme Court Category:Wisconsin lawyers Category:1825 births Category:1891 deaths