Dane County was created by the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature in 1836. Judge James Doty had convinced the Legislature to select Madison as the Capital and name the surrounding county in honor of Nathan Dane, a compiler of the Ordinance of 1787, which established the Northwest Territory.

Doty told legislators, "Read the Ordinance of 1787 attentively — it is the fundamental law of the country."

Dane was born in Massachusetts in 1752. He served in the Confederation Congress 1785-87. The Congress unanimously passed the Northwest Ordinance with a major amendment by Dane: "There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in said territory," — it also contained a bill of rights four years before the Constitution's Bill of Rights. Ordinance provision also laid the foundation for the government of 32 states beyond the Northwest Territory.

Dane served in both houses of his state's Legislature. He died in 1835. His epitaph read: "His fame belongs to his country. Let the gratitude of future ages cherish it."

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Show me all markers in:  Madison, WI  |  Dane County  |  53703  |  Wisconsin  |  United States of America

Joseph Stoner House
Law Park
Baskerville Apartments
Mohr / Christoffer Block
Jackman Building
Smith and Lamb Block
Doty School
Way of the Cross at Cathedral Place
State Office Building
La Follette House

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