Edward Scofield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edward Scofield
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| 19th Governor of Wisconsin | |
| In office January 4, 1897 – January 7, 1901 |
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| 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 |
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| In office January 1, 1887 – February 4, 1891 |
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| Preceded by | Edward S. Minor |
| Succeeded by | John Fetzer |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 28, 1842 Clearfield, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | February 3, 1925 (aged 82) Oconto, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Resting place | Evergreen Cemetery, Oconto, Wisconsin |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Agnes Potter
(died 1919) |
| Children |
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| Profession | lumberman, politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Volunteers Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank | Captain, USV |
| Unit | 11th Reg. Penn. Reserves |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Edward Scofield (born March 28, 1842 – died February 3, 1925) was an American politician and businessman. He worked in the lumber industry. He was also a member of the Republican Party. Scofield served as the 19th governor of Wisconsin from 1897 to 1901. Before that, he was a state senator in Wisconsin. During the American Civil War, he was an officer in the Union Army.
Contents
Early Life and Work
Edward Scofield was born in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. This was on March 28, 1842. When he was young, he learned to be a printer. He worked at a newspaper in Indiana, Pennsylvania. He stayed in the newspaper business for several years.
Serving in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, Scofield joined the Union Army. He started as a private soldier. He was part of Company K in the 11th Pennsylvania Reserve Regiment. He was promoted to corporal, then to sergeant.
Later, on April 15, 1863, he became a first lieutenant. This was after the Battle of South Mountain. He was then promoted to captain of his company.
Captain Scofield fought in many battles with his regiment. This included battles up until May 5, 1864. On that day, during the Battle of the Wilderness, he was captured. He was held as a prisoner of war for ten months. He was moved through 12 different prison camps. He was finally released on March 1, 1865. After his release, he was given an honorary rank of major. He then left the army.
Life After the War
After being released from prison, Scofield was very sick. He had suffered from starvation and hardship. After he got better, he worked for a railroad company.
In 1868, he moved to Oconto, Wisconsin. There, he started working in the lumber business. He became a main leader in the Marinette Mill Co. Later, he became the president of his own lumber company. It was called the Scofield & Arnold Lumber Co.
Political Career
Edward Scofield started his political journey in 1886. He was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate. He was a Republican. He won against Amos Holgate, a Democrat.
In the Senate, he worked on important committees. He led the committee for "engrossed bills." He also served on the committee for railroads. He tried to get re-elected in 1890. The election was very close. A recount showed he lost by just 15 votes. His opponent, John Fetzer, won.
Becoming Governor
In 1896, Scofield decided to run for Governor of Wisconsin. He was seen as a more traditional Republican. He ran against Robert M. La Follette, who was a more modern Republican. Scofield won the Republican Party's nomination.
In the main election, he defeated his Democratic opponent, Willis C. Silverthorn. Scofield received 264,981 votes. Silverthorn received 169,257 votes. This made Scofield the 19th Governor of Wisconsin.
He ran for re-election in 1898. Again, he faced a challenge from Robert La Follette for the Republican nomination. Scofield won the nomination. He then won the general election with 53% of the votes. He did not run for a third term in 1900.
What He Did as Governor
During his time as governor, Edward Scofield did many important things. He introduced Wisconsin's first state budget. He also created a central system for keeping track of state money. He helped update the state's banking laws.
Governor Scofield also increased funding for public schools. He helped gather troops for the Spanish–American War. After serving two terms, he went back to his lumber business in Oconto.
One of his most important actions was creating a state tax commission. This group studied state taxes starting in 1897. In 1899, a law was passed to make the commission official for ten years. This commission later became a permanent part of the state government. It is now known as the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.
Personal Life and Death
Edward Scofield married Agnes Potter. They had three children: Julia, Paul, and George. Agnes passed away in 1919.
Edward Scofield died at his home in Oconto on February 3, 1925. He was 82 years old. He is buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Oconto, Wisconsin.
See also
- Pennsylvania Reserves
