Gorsline was born in
Manlius, New York, on January 28, 1824. He was orphaned and an uncle raised him. He did well in school and began
studying law in his hometown. In 1845, he moved to
Milwaukee,
Wisconsin Territory, and continued studying law with Frank Randall and was admitted to the bar later that year. He then opened up his own law office in
Sheboygan, Wisconsin. In 1845 and 1846, he served as the register of deeds for
Sheboygan County. From 1850 to 1851, he served as a county judge in Sheboygan County. Then from about 1851 to July 1858, he served as the third judge of the fourth judicial circuit of the state of Wisconsin. At that time, he resigned and moved to Colorado. ==Career in Colorado==