He was a friend, legal advisor, and campaign manager for progressive governor and U.S. senator Robert M. "Fighting Bob" La Follette.
Charles Crownhart was born on his family's farm in Ashford, Wisconsin, in southeastern Fond du Lac County.
Upon his return, in 1866, the family relocated to a new farm in Pierce County, Wisconsin, in the far western part of the state, where Charles received most of his education.
So the campaign was largely focused on ensuring that La Follette's allies won Republican legislative primaries to serve in the 50th Wisconsin Legislature.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled in October that the votes for Tucker should not be counted, since he was already dead at the time of the election, and therefore Bancroft should be the nominee as the runner up in the primary.
After the unfavorable ruling from the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Crownhart and his allies proceeded with an independent Republican bid for Attorney General, contending that the votes cast for the deceased candidate, Tucker, were intended as opposition to Bancroft.
[8] Crownhart ultimately came in a distant third place in the general election, with Bancroft narrowly defeating Democratic opponent John H.
Governor Francis E. McGovern appointed Crownhart to serve as chairman of the new three-member commission, taking office in July 1911.
Napoleon Crownhart served in the 35th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War, and rose to the rank of sergeant before his discharge in 1866.