Highlights Archives
Wisconsin Governors Past and Present
The Tuesday, November 7, race to elect Wisconsin's governor is a time to reflect on the history of the state's chief executives. In the century and a half since Wisconsin became a state, 45 men have attained the state's highest political office. Some are all but forgotten while others made an impact that continues to be recognized. Who are some of the men that have occupied the governor's office? A sampling of Wisconsin governor's past:
Nelson Dewey was Wisconsin's first governor (1848-1852), charged with helping make the transition from a territorial government to a state government. Born in Connecticut, Dewey came to Wisconsin in 1836 as a clerk for land speculators who aimed to make Cassville a thriving metropolis. The firm failed but Dewey didn't give up on Cassville and spent much of his life promoting and improving the town. Today, Dewey's Cassville homesite at Stonefield, hailed as "the showplace of Wisconsin" by a contemporary newspaper, comprises a component of one of the Society's nine historic sites.
William Augustus Barstow (1854-1856) has the distinction of being the first governor in U.S. history to be unseated by the state Supreme Court. A member of Dewey's administration, Barstow was elected governor in 1853. He was nominated for a second term and was declared the winner against Republican Coles Bashford — only to be removed from office two months later when he was found guilty of election fraud.
Arthur McArthur (1856) held the governorship for four days during the Barstow-Bashford controversy. When Barstow resigned, McArthur, then serving as Lt. Governor, took over until Bashford could assume office. His only official act: to remove arms and ammunition from the Capitol to ensure that no violence would arise from his taking over the governorship. McArthur was the father of the famous Civil War general Arthur MacArthur (who changed the spelling of the name to MacArthur) and the grandfather of the World Ware II hero General Douglas MacAthur.
William Robert Taylor (1874-1876) was known for his frugality and success in the face of adversity. Orphaned as a child, Taylor grew up with little formal education in New York. He earned enough money to put himself through school at age 16 by chopping wood and working as a farm hand. When he was elected to office, Taylor paid his own inauguration expenses.
George Wilbur Peck (1891-1895) is perhaps better known as an author and newspaperman than as governor. After working on several newspapers, Peck began his own weekly called Peck's Sun. It was in these pages that he wrote a series of humorous sketches called "Peck's Bad Boy" that concerned the pranks a young boy played on his parents. The articles brought Peck national fame, and his spanking machine, described in one of the sketches, became a staple of country fairs. So great was his literary fame that Peck's campaign for governor was even sponsored by a political organization known as Peck's Bad Boys.
Edward Scofield (1897-1901) became well known for the part his cow played in the adoption of legislation prohibiting the granting of railroad passes to public officials. When elected governor, Scofield had his favorite cow shipped from his home in Oconto to Madison on a pass issued by an express company. The incident was widely publicized and led to the passage of antipass legislation.
Philip La Follette (1931-1933, 1935-1939) was the first son of a former governor and the first to serve terms that were not successive. He was also one of the youngest, attaining the governorship at age 33. La Follette is the subject of a new book from the Wisconsin Historical Society Press, Fighting Son.
Julius P. Heil (1939-1943) ran Wisconsin not from Madison but from an office at the Milwaukee Athletic Club. Heil was a constant traveler and promoted Wisconsin industries wherever he went. It is estimated that he sent out as much as 9 tons of cheese in 2-pound blocks each year at Christmas.
After tomorrow's election, Wisconsin's gubernatorial club could have a new member. Will Governor Doyle add another term to his record or will Congressman Mark Green or Nelson Eisman join the ranks of Wisconsin's highest officeholders? Stay tuned.
:: Posted November 6, 2006
|
