Goodland, Walter Samuel 1862 - 1947 | Wisconsin Historical Society

Historical Essay

Goodland, Walter Samuel 1862 - 1947

Goodland, Walter Samuel 1862 - 1947 | Wisconsin Historical Society

lawyer, newspaperman, politician, governor, b. Sharon. He spent one year at Lawrence College, taught in rural schools near Appleton, and, after reading law in his father's office, was admitted to the bar in 1886. He practiced law in Wakefield, Mich., and also established the Wakefield Bulletin (1887). Moving to Ironwood, Mich., in 1888, he founded the Ironwood Times, and served as its editor and publisher (1888-1895). In 1895 he returned to Wisconsin, and from 1899 to 1900 was co-publisher of the Beloit Daily News. In 1900 he settled in Racine and purchased an interest in the Racine Daily Times. Goodland became sole owner of the paper in 1902, and was its publisher from 1902 to 1933. After 1915 the paper was restyled the Racine Times-Call. A Republican, Goodland held local offices in Racine, and served as mayor (1911-1915). He was state senator (1927-1934), and lieutenant governor (1939-1943). When Governor-elect Orland S. Loomis (q.v.) died before taking office (Dec. 7, 1942), a question arose as to the constitutionality of Goodland's claim to the acting governorship. The state supreme court ruled in his favor, and he assumed office in Jan., 1943. He was subsequently elected to the governorship in 1944 and 1946 and died in office. Who's Who in Amer., 24 (1946); Wis. Blue Book (1948); F. L. Holmes, et al., eds., Wis. (5 vols., Chicago, 1946); Milwaukee Journal, Dec. 28, 1942, Mar. 13, 1947.

The Wisconsin Historical Society has manuscripts related to this topic. See the catalog description of the Governor Goodland Records for details.

View newspaper clippings at Wisconsin Local History and Biography Articles.

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[Source: Blue book]