Wisconsin's Governors

William Barstow, the third governor of Wisconsin, was born in 1813 in Plainfield, Connecticut. Barstow moved to Wisconsin in 1839, settling in Prairieville where he operated a flour mill and was postmaster and county commissioner. He moved to Madison and was elected secretary of state in 1849 and governor in 1853. His term in office was plagued by scandals and corruption. Barstow was reelected and installed for a second term in January 1856. His opponent, Coles Bashford, contested the election, alleging fraud, and the Supreme Court decided against Governor Barstow. This was the first case in the history of the country when a Supreme Court ousted an elected governor, replacing him with the opponent. Barstow moved to Janesville and entered the Civil War. Died: December 14, 1865.