F.M. Wylie was born at New Lisbon, Juneau County, Wisconsin, September 23, 1883, and was educated in the common schools of Columbia County, Windsor High School, and the University of Wisconsin. He was several years editor of the DeForest Times, one year assistant state printing clerk, one year court reporter for the Milwaukee Free Press and one year secretary to Congressman John M. Nelson. He was assistant journal clerk of the senate in 1905, bookkeeper of the senate in 1907 and in 1909, and was elected chief clerk of the senate in 1911.