Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General, US Congressman, Wisconsin Governor, Presidential Cabinet Secretary. Born in Ohio, he moved to Wisconsin in 1858 and engaged in agriculture. At the start of the Civil War, he was commissioned a Major in the 25th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and served with Major General William T. Sherman from the 1863 siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi until the end of the war. On March 13, 1865 he was brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers for "gallant and meritorious services during the war". After the end of the conflict he was elected as a Republican to represent first Wisconsin's 6th Congressional District, then the 7th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, serving 1871 to 1877. He was later elected as a Republican Governor of Wisconsin serving in that office from 1882 to 1889. In 1889, President Benjamin Harrison appointed him to the newly created cabinet post of Secretary of Agriculture and he served in this position until his death.
Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General, US Congressman, Wisconsin Governor, Presidential Cabinet Secretary. Born in Ohio, he moved to Wisconsin in 1858 and engaged in agriculture. At the start of the Civil War, he was commissioned a Major in the 25th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and served with Major General William T. Sherman from the 1863 siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi until the end of the war. On March 13, 1865 he was brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers for "gallant and meritorious services during the war". After the end of the conflict he was elected as a Republican to represent first Wisconsin's 6th Congressional District, then the 7th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, serving 1871 to 1877. He was later elected as a Republican Governor of Wisconsin serving in that office from 1882 to 1889. In 1889, President Benjamin Harrison appointed him to the newly created cabinet post of Secretary of Agriculture and he served in this position until his death.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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