Wisconsin Governor. At a young age as an orphan, he was raised by neighbors, who took him to live on a farm in New York. In his twenties, he moved to Ohio, taught school, farmed, and studied medicine. Relocating to Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, he became chairman of the city, served as a chairman of the Dane County Board and was County Superintendent of Schools. He also was trustee of the Wisconsin State Hospital for the Insane (1860-74), president of the Dane County Agricultural Society, a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly (1855-56) and served in the Wisconsin State Senate (1859-61). In 1874, he was elected as a Democrat the 12th Governor of Wisconsin, serving until 1876. As Governor, he appointed the 3rd Chief Justice to the Wisconsin Supreme Court and put forth an act that effectively put railroad and freight prices under the control of a new State Railroad Commission. Defeated for re-election, in his later years he became impoverished and died in the Gisholt Home for the Aged.

Wisconsin Governor. At a young age as an orphan, he was raised by neighbors, who took him to live on a farm in New York. In his twenties, he moved to Ohio, taught school, farmed, and studied medicine. Relocating to Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, he became chairman of the city, served as a chairman of the Dane County Board and was County Superintendent of Schools. He also was trustee of the Wisconsin State Hospital for the Insane (1860-74), president of the Dane County Agricultural Society, a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly (1855-56) and served in the Wisconsin State Senate (1859-61). In 1874, he was elected as a Democrat the 12th Governor of Wisconsin, serving until 1876. As Governor, he appointed the 3rd Chief Justice to the Wisconsin Supreme Court and put forth an act that effectively put railroad and freight prices under the control of a new State Railroad Commission. Defeated for re-election, in his later years he became impoverished and died in the Gisholt Home for the Aged.

Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith