# Peter Polin

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**Peter Polin** (March 25, 1832 – November 7, 1870) was a [Swiss American](/source/Swiss_Americans) immigrant, merchant, and [Republican](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)) politician. He died the day before his election to the [Wisconsin State Assembly](/source/Wisconsin_State_Assembly).

## Biography

Born in [Zillis](/source/Zillis-Reischen), [Switzerland](/source/Switzerland), Polin emigrated to the [United States](/source/United_States) and settled in [Dubuque, Iowa](/source/Dubuque,_Iowa), and then moved to [Alma](/source/Alma,_Wisconsin), [Buffalo County, Wisconsin](/source/Buffalo_County,_Wisconsin), in 1857. Polin was a merchant. He served as postmaster of Alma, Wisconsin, and as Buffalo County Treasurer from 1862 to 1864. Polin was a [Republican](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)). In the Wisconsin General Election of November 8, 1870, Polin ran for the [Wisconsin State Assembly](/source/Wisconsin_State_Assembly) against John Burt. However, on November 7, 1870, the day before election day, Polin died suddenly. However, most voters were not aware of his death and elected Polin to the Wisconsin Assembly[1] with 444 votes to 370 for John Burt (Democrat) and 50 votes for [Augustus F. Finkelnburg](/source/Augustus_F._Finkelnburg) (Republican). Because there was no choice for the Wisconsin Assembly seat, Wisconsin Acting Governor [Thaddeus Pound](/source/Thaddeus_Pound) ordered a special election for December 31, 1870.[2] In the December 31, 1870, Wisconsin Assembly special election [Ahaz F. Allen](/source/Ahaz_F._Allen) (Republican) won the Wisconsin Assembly seat with 529 votes to 431 votes for James Burt (Democrat) and 172 votes for [James L. Hallock](/source/James_L._Hallock) (Independent).[3][4][5]

## References

1. ["Hon. Peter Polin"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3738869/peter_polin_18321870/). *Freeborn County Standard*. November 24, 1870. p. 2. Retrieved December 1, 2015. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["The Special Election"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/3738847/peter_polin_18321870/). *The Daily Milwaukee News*. December 22, 1870. p. 4. Retrieved December 1, 2015. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. *Wisconsin Blue Book* 1871, Biographical Sketch of Peter Polin, p. 372

1. Hon. Peter Polin, *Freeborn County Standard* (Minnesota), November 24, 1870, p. 2.

1. [Members of the Wisconsin State Legislature 1848-1999](http://lrbdigital.legis.wisconsin.gov/digital/collection/p16831coll2/id/1303/rec/45)

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