Wisconsin's Governors

Gov. George Peck, Wisconsin's 17th governor, was born in New York state on this date in 1840. He moved to the Whitewater area when he was a young boy. In 1855 Boyd began working as an apprentice at the Whitewater Republican. He also worked at the Jefferson County Republican and Wisconsin State Journal before he enlisted to fight in the Civil War. After the war, Peck continued to work in newspapers, starting the Ripon Representative and the Sun in Milwaukee. He became well known and was regarded as one of the most original, versatile and entertaining writers in the country. He was elected mayor of Milwaukee in 1890 and governor the following year. He served two terms and was defeated in his try for a third. Peck returned to his writing and was the author of several humorous books, the most notable being the "Peck's Bad Boy" series. Died: April 16, 1916.