A.R. Emerson was born in the village of Etna, Lafayette County, Wisconsin on July 21, 1866 and had been a continuous resident of the state, except for a few years spent in Minneapolis and the west. He received his early education in the common schools at the Platteville Normal, later attending the University summer school and the Minneapolis Business College. He taught school for several years, was town clerk of his town for two years, county clerk of Lafayette county for 1901 to 1905, and journal clerk of the state senate at the regular and special sessions of 1905. Since that time he has been cashier of the Belmont State Bank at Belmont, Wis.  He was elected chief clerk of the senate in session of 1907.