Wisconsin's Governors April 11, 1889: Leonard Farwell, Wisconsin's second governor, died on April 11, 1889. He was born on January 5, 1819 in Watertown, New York. In 1840, Farwell moved to Milwaukee where be was involved in the wholesale business. Farwell moved to Madison in 1847 where he purchased a large amount of real estate. By 1851 Farwell was involved in politics and was nominated for governor in the Whig Party. He narrowly won election and served until January 1854. Farwell spent some time working in Washington, D.C. and Chicago where he lost most of his property in the great Chicago fire.