# Walter S. Greene

Walter S. Greene (May 28, 1834 – November 15, 1891) was an American businessman, Democratic politician, and Wisconsin pioneer. He served six years in the Wisconsin State Senate and one year in the State Assembly, representing Jefferson County.

## Biography

Walter Greene was born in Salisbury, in Herkimer County, New York, March 23, 1834. He came west with his family in 1846, settling at the town of Milford, in the Wisconsin Territory. He attended collegiate courses at the University of Wisconsin and Beloit College and worked as a merchant for several years at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. He subsequently returned to Milford and worked with his father in a milling and manufacturing firm known as "Greene & Son".
While residing at Milford, he served on the town board for several years, served as Jefferson County treasurer, and was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly for the 1862 session. He was succeeded in office in 1863 by his father, Nathan S. Greene. He was subsequently elected to the Wisconsin State Senate from Jefferson County's Senate district in 1872.
In May 1883, he moved to Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, and was elected to another term in the Wisconsin Senate in 1886. The next year, he was elected mayor of Fort Atkinson. He was re-elected in 1890, but was stricken with stomach cancer shortly after the start of the new term. He was ill for several months before dying at St. Mary's hospital in Milwaukee in November 1891.

## Personal life and family

Walter Greene's father Nathan S. Greene also served in the Wisconsin State Assembly. Walter's younger brother William served as an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Walter Greene married twice. His first wife, Ella Porter, was the daughter of General James Potter, of Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, and was a great granddaughter of American Revolutionary War major general James Potter. They had one daughter together.
Walter Greene was survived by his second wife, Jennette Guile, and his daughter Isabella "Belle".

## Electoral history
### Wisconsin Senate (1872)

Wisconsin Senate, 23rd District Election, 1872 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| General Election, November 5, 1872 ||||||
| | Democratic | Walter S. Greene | 3,983 | 60.76% | +3.67% |
| | Republican | Luther A. Cole | 2,572 | 39.24% | |
| Plurality | Plurality | Plurality | 1,411 | 21.53% | +7.34% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,555 | 100.0% | +34.19% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### Wisconsin Senate (1886, 1890)

Wisconsin Senate, 23rd District Election, 1886 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| General Election, November 2, 1886 ||||||
| | Democratic | Walter S. Greene | 3,601 | 56.93% | +1.58% |
| | Republican | James W. Ostrander | 2,464 | 38.96% | +2.18% |
| | Prohibition | George W. Jenkins | 260 | 4.11% | −3.76% |
| Plurality | Plurality | Plurality | 1,137 | 17.98% | -0.61% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,325 | 100.0% | +19.09% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |
Wisconsin Senate, 23rd District Election, 1890 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| General Election, November 4, 1890 ||||||
| | Democratic | Walter S. Greene (incumbent) | 3,983 | 60.76% | +3.83% |
| | Republican | Jesse Stone | 2,572 | 39.24% | +0.28% |
| | Prohibition | S. Faville | 319 | 4.64% | +0.53% |
| Plurality | Plurality | Plurality | 1,411 | 21.53% | +3.55% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,874 | 100.0% | +8.68% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |