Edward Scofield

Edward Scofield
19th Governor of Wisconsin
In office
January 4, 1897 – January 7, 1901
Lieutenant Emil Baensch
Jesse Stone
Preceded by William H. Upham
Succeeded by Robert M. La Follette, Sr.
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 1st district
In office
1887–1891
Succeeded by John Fetzer
Personal details
Born (1842-03-28)March 28, 1842
Clearfield, Pennsylvania
Died February 3, 1925(1925-02-03) (aged 82)
Oconto, Wisconsin
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Agnes Potter Scofield
Children Julia Scofield
Paul Scofield
George Scofield
Profession lumberman, politician
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Union Army
Rank captain
Unit 11th Pennsylvania Reserve Regiment
Battles/wars American Civil War

Edward Scofield (March 28, 1842 – February 3, 1925) was an American politician who served as the 19th Governor of Wisconsin.[1]

Early life

Scofield was born in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania on March 28, 1842.[2] He became a printer's apprentice at a newspaper in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and worked in the newspaper business for a number of years.

Career

Scofield fought in the American Civil War as a member of the 11th Pennsylvania Reserve Regiment.[2] Commissioned a lieutenant, after the Battle of South Mountain he was promoted to captain. He participated in all the battles and marches of his regiment up to the Battle of the Wilderness on May 5, 1864, where he was taken prisoner and incorrectly reported as dead. He was a prisoner for ten months, during which time he was held in southern prisons before being released at Wilmington, North Carolina on March 1, 1865.[2][3] He was promoted to major after his release.

After his recuperation from illness, Scofield worked in the "engineer corps" of the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad. In 1868, he moved to Oconto, Wisconsin,[2] where he entered the lumber business and became a principal in the Marinette Mill Co. He entered politics when he was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 1886 as a Republican, beating Democrat Amos Holgate. He was appointed to the standing committees on engrossed bills (which he chaired) and on railroads.[4]

In 1896 Scofield was elected as the 19th Governor of Wisconsin. He entered the gubernatorial race as a conservative against progressive Republican Robert M. La Follette, Sr.. Winning the Republican nomination on the sixth ballot, he defeated his Democratic opponent Willis C. Silverthorn in a five-way general election: 264,981 for Scofield; 169,257 for Silverthorn; 8,140 for Prohibitionist Joshua Berkey; 1,306 for Christ Tuttrop of the Socialist Labor Party; and 407 for Robert Henderson of the Nationalist Party. During his tenure, he introduced the first governor's budget in Wisconsin, established a central accounting system, and oversaw revision of the state's banking laws. He increased public school funding and helped raise troops to serve in the Spanish-American War. After completing a second term in office, he returned to his business interests in Oconto.[3]

Death

The last of several Civil War veterans to serve as Governor of Wisconsin, Scofield died in his home in Oconto on February 3, 1925 (age 82 years, 312 days). He is interred at Evergreen Cemetery in Oconto.

Family life

Scofield married Agnes Potter (1850–1919)[2][5] and they had three children, Julia, Paul, and George.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "A Gallant Comrade". The National Tribune. September 24, 1896. p. 8. Retrieved December 24, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. 1 2 Wisconsin Blue Book, 1899 edition, page 748
  4. ↑ Timme, Ernst G., ed. The blue book of the state of Wisconsin 1887 Madison, 1887; pp. 465, 472, 484
  5. ↑ "Mrs. Edward Scofield Expires in Hospital". Oshkosh Daily Northwestern. December 8, 1919. p. 15. Retrieved December 24, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Edward Scofield". Oconto County WIGenWeb Project. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
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Political offices
Preceded by
William H. Upham		 19th Governor of Wisconsin
1897-1901 		Succeeded by
Robert M. La Follette, Sr.
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