Sixth Circuit Court Judge Lincoln Neprud was born in Coon, Vernon County, Wisconsin on August 19, 1898. He attended Westby public schools and the University of Wisconsin, where he obtained his B.A. in 1921. Neprud then attended the University of Wisconsin Law School and was admitted to the bar in 1928. He began his legal career with the Milwaukee law firm of Otjen & Otjen. In 1933 Neprud returned to Viroqua to open his own law office. He was elected Vernon County judge in 1937 and reelected in 1943. Defeated in his first run for the Circuit Court, he was later appointed to the position after the death of R. S. Cowie in 1952. Neprud held the post through subsequent elections until his retirement in 1969, ultimately becoming one of Wisconsin's most highly regarded judges.
Also active in civic affairs, Neprud was an Odd Fellow, Elk, Knight of Pythias, and a 32nd Degree Mason, as well as a member of the Kiwanis Club and the Sons of Norway. In 1946 Neprud was honored with a citation from the King of Norway for his service to Norwegian people during World War II. Neprud was also president of the Snowflake Ski Club of Westby and chairman of the Vernon County Baseball League.
Lincoln Neprud married Laurie Anderson of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin in 1929. Judge Neprud died from injuries received from a head-on automobile collision in 1972. He was survived by his wife and his daughter, Mary Neprud Sutton.
