Gilbert M. Woodward facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gilbert M. Woodward
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Photo from the Wisconsin Historical Society
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 7th district |
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| In office March 4, 1883 – March 3, 1885 |
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| Preceded by | Herman L. Humphrey |
| Succeeded by | Ormsby B. Thomas |
| 16th Mayor of La Crosse, Wisconsin | |
| In office April 1874 – April 1875 |
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| Preceded by | Gysbert Van Steenwyk Sr. |
| Succeeded by | James J. Hogan |
| District Attorney of La Crosse County, Wisconsin | |
| In office January 1, 1866 – January 5, 1874 |
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| Preceded by | E. H. McMillan |
| Succeeded by | Benjamin F. Bryant |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 25, 1835 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Died | March 13, 1914 (aged 78) La Crosse, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Resting place | Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse, Wisconsin |
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| Spouse |
Ella R. Parker
(m. 1864; died 1869) |
| Children | none |
| Relatives | William Creighton Woodward (nephew) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Volunteers Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1864 |
| Rank | 1st Lieutenant, USV |
| Unit | 2nd Reg. Wis. Vol. Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Gilbert Motier Woodward (born December 25, 1835 – died March 13, 1914) was an American lawyer and politician. He was a brave officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was also the mayor of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and served in the United States House of Representatives.
Contents
Gilbert M. Woodward's Life
Early Years and Education
Gilbert Woodward was born on December 25, 1835, in Washington, D.C.. He went to local schools as a child. He learned the skill of printing by working as an apprentice in Baltimore.
He worked as a printer and proofreader in Baltimore, Upper Marlboro, and Washington until 1860. For a long time, he worked for a famous newspaper called National Intelligencer.
In February 1860, he moved to Wisconsin and settled in La Crosse. He started studying law with a lawyer named Isaac E. Messmore. He became a lawyer in 1861. However, the American Civil War began, so he put his law career on hold. He decided to join the army instead.
Serving in the Civil War
Woodward joined a group of volunteers called the "La Crosse Light Guards." This group became Company B of the 2nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. They officially joined the federal army in June 1861. Then, they traveled to Washington, D.C., to fight in the eastern part of the war.
He was promoted to first sergeant in September 1861, after the First Battle of Bull Run. That fall, his regiment joined with others to form a brigade. This group of soldiers soon became famous as the Iron Brigade. They earned their name because of their brave fighting.
Just before the Battle of Gainesville in August 1862, Woodward became a second lieutenant. In the next month, his captain was killed at the Battle of South Mountain. Woodward was then promoted to first lieutenant.
He fought with his regiment in many important battles. These included the Battle of Antietam in September 1862. He also fought in the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862. In the spring of 1863, he was at the Battle of Chancellorsville.
After Chancellorsville, Woodward became an adjutant for his regiment. He worked for Colonel Lucius Fairchild. Soon after, he became an adjutant for the brigade commander, General Solomon Meredith. He was helping General Meredith during the Battle of Gettysburg when he was shot in the arm.
After he recovered, he continued to serve as an aide. He helped General Lysander Cutler during the Overland Campaign in 1864. His time in the army ended on July 2, 1864.
Political Career and Public Service
After the war, Woodward became an active lawyer in La Crosse. He was elected as the district attorney for La Crosse County in 1865. He was re-elected three more times, serving until January 1874.
While he was district attorney, he started a law firm with Samuel S. Burton in 1868. This partnership lasted until 1876. He also became involved in state politics. In 1872, he ran for the Wisconsin State Senate. He was a Liberal Republican, but he lost the election.
In the spring of 1874, he was elected mayor of La Crosse. He won by a small number of votes. Later, he was elected as the city attorney. He served in that role from 1876 to 1882.
In 1882, Woodward decided to run for the United States House of Representatives. He won the Democratic nomination easily. The 7th congressional district had usually voted Republican. However, the district boundaries had changed. Woodward won the election in a surprise victory. He served one term in Congress, from March 4, 1883, to March 3, 1885. He ran for re-election in 1884 but lost.
After leaving Congress, he went back to his law practice in La Crosse. He stayed active in the Democratic Party. In 1886, he was nominated to run for Governor of Wisconsin. This happened unexpectedly when another candidate decided not to run. Woodward was chosen by the party with strong support.
However, Woodward was defeated in the election. Jeremiah McLain Rusk, the Republican candidate, won his third term as governor. Woodward's last major political role was leading the Wisconsin group at the 1888 Democratic National Convention.
Later Life
In 1889, Gilbert Woodward started a new law firm called Losey & Woodward. He spent most of the rest of his life working as a lawyer. He was known for often arguing cases in front of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Woodward married Ella R. Parker in 1864. Sadly, she passed away a few years later in 1868. They did not have any children, and Woodward never married again.
Gilbert Woodward passed away on March 13, 1914. He had been in declining health for several years. However, he continued to work until just three months before his death. He was buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in La Crosse.
