William Henry Upham (1841 - 1924)

Born 3 May 1841 in Westminster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Mary C. Kelley — married 19 Dec 1867 in Racine, Racine, Wisconsin, United States

Died 2 Jul 1924 at age 83 in Marshfield, Wood, Wisconsin, United States

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Preceded by 17th Governor George Wilbur Peck

William H. Upham 18th Governor of Wisconsin 1895—1897

Succeeded by 19th Governor Edward Scofield

Biography

William Upham is Notable.

William Upham has English ancestors.

At the age of eleven years William accompanied his parents from Massachusetts to Niles, Mich., and after the death of his father he and his widowed mother came, in 1853, to Wisconsin, taking up their residence in Racine, where the lad resumed his studies, his elementary education having been received at the common schools of his native town and Niles.

In 1861, at the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, Mr. Upham enlisted in the Belle City Rifles, which became Company F. Second Wisconsin Infantry, and with his regiment participated in the battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861, d turning which engagement he was shot through the lungs, and left on the battlefield for dead. News of his death was sent to his home, and he was mourned alike by relatives and friends, the newspapers publishing long eulogies about him, while Rev. Hutchins, of the First Baptist Church, Racine, preached a most eloquent and impressive funeral sermon, highly laudatory of the (supposed) deceased's character and career. This sermon was printed in full in one of the local papers, and a copy same now occupies a conspicuous place in the Governor's scrapbook - a moment of the stirring war times, and a testimonial of the esteem in which he was held, even in his boyhood, by those who knew him well.

Some Seven months afterward the lost one was found in one of the Souther prisons, where he had passed the long interval, far from pleasantly, it is unnecessary to add, but, fortunately, recovering from his fatal wound. From the battlefield, he had been taken to Libby prison, where he was confined for over half a year when he was paroled, and after his release, he reported to Washington. President Lincoln, thinking it probable that he could get from the young soldier some valuable information relative to Confederate affairs, sent for him, and was so favorably impressed with his appearance and manly bearing that he used his influence to secure for Mr. Upham a long-coveted position as a cadet at West Point, where he followed the prescribed course of study. This was in 1862, and in the class of 1866, he graduated, after which, on June 18, the same year, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the artillery service, U.S. Army, his first duty being to act as an officer of the guard to Jefferson Davis, who at that time was a prisoner in Fortress Monroe. On March 4, 1869, Second-Lieut. Upham was promoted to first lieutenant, and on November 18 he resigned his commission, returned to Wisconsin, and at once commenced to devote his energies to the development of extensive enterprises in the northern part of the State. He first located at Kewaunee, Wis., in 1871, and went to Marshfield, Wis., in 1879, the year in which it was platted, and here built a saw and shingle mill, becoming the leading spirit in the upbuilding of the place. The citizens of today claim that Marshfield owes everything to Gov. Upham's indomitable willpower, enterprise, and public-spiritedness and that he may be truthfully called the founder of the town. In addition to being identified with extensive lumber interests, Gov. Upham is also president of the Upham Manufacturing Co., of Marshfield, the plant of which comprises a sawmill, shingle mill, gristmill, furniture factory, veneer works, and machine shops, employment being given to some 400 hands. The product of the concern is shipped to all points of the compass - to San Francisco, Portland, Boston, New York, and Chicago, as well as to London, Glasgow, and other European cities. The company also operates one of the largest general retail stores to be found in the West. Governor Upham served as president of the First National Bank of Marshfield but resigned that position upon being elected Governor of Wisconsin. On June 2, 1887, Marshfield was almost totally destroyed by fire, and brought despair to the hearts of its residents; but Major Upham, though the heaviest loser by the dire catastrophe, with characteristic pluck and energy announced to the people his determination to rebuild the city. By January 1, 1888, less than seven months from the time the scene was one of smoking blackened ruins, sixth-two substantial brick blocks were erected and occupied, Major Upham at once established many of the enterprises before referred to, and through his efforts, Marshfield has been made one of the thriving and rapidly developing cities in northern Wisconsin.

Governor Upham has ever been foremost in anything to be undertaken, He was first to enlist in the Belle City Rifles, and was the first private soldier appointed to West Point. In military affairs, he has ever continued his interest, and is a member of both the Loyal Legion and the Grand Army of the Republic, and was elected State Commander of the latter for the Department of Wisconsin. He served on the staff of Department Commander Lucius Fairchild, as aid-de-camp, with the rank of major, and was appointed by President Arthur on the board of visitors to the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md. In politics, he is an ardent Republican and has used all legitimate means to aid this party in its campaigns. His true worth, personal magnetism, honorable record, and executive ability, added to his personal popularity, forced the attention of the people of his State upon him as an available candidate for the Governorship. He announced himself as a candidate before the Republican State Convention, held in Milwaukee on July 25-26, 1894. There were eleven candidates before the convention, and although the votes were distributed among the candidates Major Upham from the first ballot led all competitors. The political battle of 1894 will long be remembered as one of the most desperately fought campaigns in the history of our country. A reunited Republican party challenged its opponents to battle upon issues of national importance, and upon the past and present actions of the Democracy. Being unable to boldly face the issues advanced by their opponents, the Democrats in various sections resorted to personal abuse of candidates and desired by such means to nullify as nearly as possible the disgust and distrust of the masses. In Wisconsin, they began to abuse Major Upham by declaring that he forced his employees to accept coupons, or company orders, redeemable in merchandise at the company's store instead of cash. Although it was proved, by affidavits of workmen who had been employed for many years, that these assertions were false, the Democratic leaders kept up the cry, and by persistent repetitions so disgusted fair-minded men, irrespective of party affiliations, that many of the opposition displayed the American love for fair play and cast their ballots for Major Upham.

The Republican victory of 1894 will be cited for many generations as the greatest political contest of the century. Major Upham and his associates placed Wisconsin among the banner States. In 1890 his Democratic opponent, Hon. George W. Peck defeated Hon. W.D. Hoard by a plurality of 28,320. In 1892 Hon. John C. Spooner, after a most victorious campaign, was defeated by Governor Peck by 7,707 votes. In 1894 Major UPham defeated the twice-successful Democratic Governor, by a plurality of 53,900, the largest plurality ever given to a gubernatorial candidate in Wisconsin. Although delighted with the returns from the State, Major Upham was probably more gratified with the esteem and admiration displayed by his fellow townsmen by their votes. In 1892 Wood county, in which Marshfield is located, gave Peck a plurality of 441. In 1894 Major Upham carried the county over Peck by 1,123. The appreciation in which he is held by the people of Marshfield and his high standing in the community is well exemplified by the fact that, though the city is Democratic, he received in this contest a majority of some 400. Although Major Upham received many congratulatory messages after his nomination and election to the highest honors within the gift of the State of his adoptions, none gave him as much genuine pleasure as the following resolutions from the citizens of the village in which he was born.

"The Republicans of Westminster, Massachusetts, in public meeting assembled on the 20th inst., rejoicing over the recent victory won within the borders of our own STate, also feel a just pride in the elevation and prosperity of all the native sons of Westminster, although long removed from her limits, unanimously voted to send greeting to you, and extend congratulations for your success and elevations as Governor of Wisconsin, your adopted State, believing that the Republican principles for which you stand, when put in operation, will not only promote the interest s of the inhabitants of your sTate, but will also restore confidence with all the people, and eventually bring happiness and prosperity throughout the whole country.

S.D. Simonds, President, Republican Club of Westminster H.J. Partridge, Secretary, Westminster, Mass., November 22, 1894, To William H. Upham, Marshfield, Wisconsin."

The 7th day of January 1895, stands as the date of his inauguration into his high office. His ripe experience as a man of business will enable him to administer the affairs of the Commonwealth upon sound business principles, and his undoubted integrity and strong individuality assure the citizens of the State that he will control all branches of the government, uninfluenced by professional politicians or unpatriotic advisers.

On December 19, 1867, Gov. Upham was married at Racine, Wis, to Miss Mary C. Kelley, who is descended from Quaker ancestry, and two daughters have blessed their union, namely: Elsie, wife of E.E. Finney, a merchant of Marshfield, and Carrie, living at home. The family is members of the First Presbyterian Church at Marshfield, in which Mrs. Upham, whose name is the synonym for noble and generous deeds, is an active worker. In the quietude of his elegant home, Governor Upham exchanges the exciting scenes of political and business turmoil for peaceful retirements in comfort, mayhap to ruminate on past events, or those that are passing, and on those which futurity will probably develop.

Sources

• Find A Grave: Memorial #47183343
• William H. Upham on Wikipedia
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UCRBZ-qlWM