Edward Scofield

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Edward Scofield
Edward Scofield.jpg
19th Governor of Wisconsin
In office
January 4, 1897 – January 7, 1901
LieutenantEmil Baensch
Jesse Stone
Preceded byWilliam H. Upham
Succeeded byRobert M. La Follette, Sr.
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 1st district
In office
January 1, 1887 – January 1, 1891
Preceded byEdward S. Minor
Succeeded byJohn Fetzer
Personal details
Born(1842-03-28)March 28, 1842
Clearfield, Pennsylvania
DiedFebruary 3, 1925(1925-02-03) (aged 82)
Oconto, Wisconsin
Resting placeEvergreen Cemetery
Oconto, Wisconsin
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
  • Agnes Potter
  • (died 1919)
Children
  • Julia Scofield
  • Paul Scofield
  • George Scofield
Professionlumberman, politician
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Union Army
RankUnion army cpt rank insignia.jpg Captain
Unit11th Penn. Reserve Reg.
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War
Scofield's house, located at 610 Main St. in Oconto, Wisconsin.

Edward Scofield (March 28, 1842 – February 3, 1925) was an American lumberman and 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.

Military 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.

Engineering career[]

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.[4]

Political career[]

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]

Campaign and election[]

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, winning the Republican nomination on the sixth ballot. In November, 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 H. Berkey; 1,306 for Christ Tuttrop of the Socialist Labor Party; and 407 for Robert Henderson of the Nationalist Party.[3]

Tenure[]

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]

On January 4, 1897, Scofield appointed Charles R. Boardman to Adjutant General of Wisconsin.[5][6]

On April 28, 1899, Scofield appointed Michael Griffin chairman of the State tax commission. His nomination was approved by the senate on the same day.[7]

Death[]

Scofield died in his home in Oconto on February 3, 1925 (age 82 years, 312 days).[8] He is interred at Evergreen Cemetery in Oconto.

Family life[]

Scofield married Agnes Potter (1850–1919)[2][9] and they had three children, Julia, Paul, and George.[10]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "A Gallant Comrade". The National Tribune. September 24, 1896. p. 8. Retrieved December 24, 2014 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c Wisconsin Blue Book, 1899 edition, page 748
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Timme, Ernst G., ed. The blue book of the state of Wisconsin 1887 Madison, 1887; pp. 465, 472, 484
  5. ^ Davis, Jr., Henry Blaine (1998). Generals in Khaki. Raleigh, NC: Pentland Press, Inc. p. 44. ISBN 1571970886.
  6. ^ "Gen. Charles Boardman To Be Buried Monday Morning". The Sheboygan Press. Sheboygan, WI. 1950-04-07. p. 6. Retrieved 2021-06-18 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  7. ^ Commission, Wisconsin Tax (1901). Report.
  8. ^ https://www.newspapers.com/image/272546104/?terms=Edward%20Scofield&match=1
  9. ^ "Mrs. Edward Scofield Expires in Hospital". Oshkosh Daily Northwestern. December 8, 1919. p. 15. Retrieved December 24, 2014 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  10. ^ "Edward Scofield". Oconto County WIGenWeb Project. Retrieved 28 May 2014.

External links[]


Party political offices
Preceded by
William H. Upham 		Republican nominee for Governor of Wisconsin
1896, 1898 		Succeeded by
Robert M. La Follette, Sr.
Political offices
Preceded by
William H. Upham 		Governor of Wisconsin
1897 – 1901 		Succeeded by
Robert M. La Follette, Sr.
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