Charles and William were both married around the same time, in 1841, and moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin Territory, to begin their legal careers.

[5] Shortly after his arrival in Wisconsin, Lynde started a law firm in partnership with Asahel Finch Jr., which continued for the rest of their lives.

[3] The firm endured without strife, despite the fact that Finch and Lynde were both active in politics and held opposing party affiliations.

Lynde quickly became one of the most respected lawyers in Wisconsin, and for many years was president of the Milwaukee Bar Association.

After the second constitution of Wisconsin was ratified by voters in 1848, a new election was to be held for representatives to the 30th United States Congress, which still had nearly a year remaining.

Lynde was chosen as the Democratic Party's candidate for congress in Wisconsin's 1st congressional district, which at that time comprised the southeast corner of the state.

The election turned out to be quite close, but the results were tainted by irregularities which led the board of canvassers to throw out nearly 40,000 votes—roughly a third of all the votes cast.

During the 1869 and 1870 sessions, he represented Wisconsin's 5th State Senate district, then comprising roughly the northern half of Milwaukee County.

Throughout the summer, papers took note of the odd bedfellows in Rindskopf's camp, which included past temperance advocates.

[11] The final straw came when journalists began to question whether Rindskopf met the citizenship requirements to run for Congress.

[12] Finally, a collection of leading Democrats apparently compelled Rindskopf to abandon the race, just two weeks before the election.

[14] After the bitter nominating process, many newspapers were dismissive of Lynde's chances against Ludington, who was then mayor of Milwaukee and quite popular.

[3] In 1878, Lynde faced a primary challenge from Peter V. Deuster, a German immigrant who operated several partisan newspapers.

Tilly's brother, Charles W. Lynde, also prospered in business in Sherburne and served in the New York Senate.

Mary Blanchard Lynde became a famous philanthropist and social reform advocate and was the first woman ever appointed to an office of the Wisconsin state government.

She was appointed to the Wisconsin State Board of Charities and Reform by Governor Lucius Fairchild when that organization was first authorized in 1871.