Governor of Wisconsin. Born in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, Edward Scofield began his working life as a newspaper printer’s apprentice in Indiana, Pennsylvania. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Scofield enlisted in the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, and was commissioned as a Lieutenant. He served with distinction at the battles of South Mountain and Gettysburg, earning a promotion to Captain. At the Battle of the Wilderness in 1864, Scofield was captured and served ten months as a prisoner of war. Upon his release he was promoted to the rank of Major. He was mustered out at the war’s end, and started working for the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad. He then moved to Oconto, Wisconsin where he entered the lumber business as the owner of Marinette Mill Company. In 1886 he was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate, and served until 1891. In 1896 Scofield was elected to the first of two terms as the Governor of Wisconsin, serving from January 4, 1897 until January 7, 1901. As Governor, Scofield revised the state’s banking laws, created the Governor’s Budget, and established a central accounting system for the state. Following his term in office, Scofield returned to his business interests. He died on February 3, 1925. He was the final Civil War veteran to serve as Wisconsin’s Governor.
Governor of Wisconsin. Born in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, Edward Scofield began his working life as a newspaper printer’s apprentice in Indiana, Pennsylvania. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Scofield enlisted in the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, and was commissioned as a Lieutenant. He served with distinction at the battles of South Mountain and Gettysburg, earning a promotion to Captain. At the Battle of the Wilderness in 1864, Scofield was captured and served ten months as a prisoner of war. Upon his release he was promoted to the rank of Major. He was mustered out at the war’s end, and started working for the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad. He then moved to Oconto, Wisconsin where he entered the lumber business as the owner of Marinette Mill Company. In 1886 he was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate, and served until 1891. In 1896 Scofield was elected to the first of two terms as the Governor of Wisconsin, serving from January 4, 1897 until January 7, 1901. As Governor, Scofield revised the state’s banking laws, created the Governor’s Budget, and established a central accounting system for the state. Following his term in office, Scofield returned to his business interests. He died on February 3, 1925. He was the final Civil War veteran to serve as Wisconsin’s Governor.
Bio by: Ernest
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