Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1925-02-11
.SCOF|ELD, TWICE
GOVERNOR, DEAD
Wisconsin Pioneer and Civil
War Hero Succun1bs at
Oconto, Aged IS.


Oconto, Wis. = Edward Scofield,
twice governor of Wisconsin, died at
his home here Feb. 8, after protract-
ed illness. He was 49,
Mr.. Scofield had been in poor health
| for several years. Early in 1923 his
condition became so serious that little
hope was held out for his recovery.
but he rallied and fought back to a
fair state Of health, which continued
until last summer, when he grew
worse again.
Edward Scofeld was a self-made
man in every sense of the word Born
on a farm near Clearfeld, Pa, March
70, 1892, of parents in humble circum-
stances, young Seofield received only
common school education and made
his own way in life
His early boyhood was spent on the
farm, but at the age of 10 he became
a printers deviP' on the Indiana,
| Ind, Democrat, working for his board
and clothing. In 1858 he went as a
printer to the Brookfield, Pa, Jeffer-
sonian at a salary of $500 a year and
board.
| In 1861 he answered the call Of
President Lincoln for $4,000 men by
| joining the Eleventh regiment of
| Pennsylvania reserves, encamped at
| Pittsburgh. After the battle of Bull
Run he went to Washington with his
regiment to help check the confsder-
| ate movement on the capital, and
there he was sworn in for service for
! three years. He enlisted as private
| in the army of. the Potomac and took
part in most of its battles.
! After Fredericksburg he was pro-
NOTED to lieutenant and then to the
captaincy of Company K, Eleventh
Pennsylvania. In May of 1864 he was
| captured by the confederates and con-
| fined at different times in twelve Of
the southern prisons. He was held
prisoner ten months and barely es-
capped with his life. He was compelled
after his release to go to a hospital
at Annapolis and on his arrival home
from there received the commission of
major as reward for his services. His
military title was, therefore, not hon
orary but well earned.
For a few months after the war
young Scofeld was employed as a
| civil engineer. Then in Chicago, he
was hired by Finn Hall to become
foreman of his mills in Oconto. Since
that time Maj Scofield has been a
resident of Wisconsin, making his
| home in and near Oconto
In 1870 he had married Miss Agnes
Potter, Oconto. Two sons and a
daughter were born to them.
In 1876 Maj. Scofield was appointed
timber agent, which position he held
five years. In 1881 he became asso-
ciated with the Marinette Lumber
company as superintendent and in
1884 the firm of Edward Scofield &c
Co. was organized with George Arnold
as a partner, continuing until 1890 at
Marinette, when the name was
changed to Scofield, Arnold e Co.,
with Mr.. Scofield as president; his
son, George, as vice-president, and
Mr.. Arnold as superintendent and
manager.
Mr.. Scofield was always an active
supporter of the principles of the re-
publican party and in 1887 he was
elected to the state senate from the
First district, comprising Door, Mar
inette and Oconto counties. He was
reelected, but was unseated as the
result of a contest brought by his
democratic opponent.
In 1894, Maj Scofield was one of
five candidates for the republican
nomination for governor. He had
| been drafted by his friends to enter
the field, but the victory that year
went to W. H. Upham of Marshfield.
In 1896 Maj. Scofield was nominated
and elected, and in 1898 he was re-
elected, each time by large majorities.
In 1896 Mr.. Scofield received 264,9S1
votes, the largest number given to
any candidate in the history of the
state at that time
The administration of Gov Scofield
was distinguished for the reforms &C
complished among state institutions.
He established through the board Of
control an efficient system of civil
service and on his recommendation a
I TAX cOUlI1lSSIOn was dPpOlHIeu W WOI n
out system of tax reform for Wis
consin. He was the first governor Of
Wisconsin to approach this problem.
In 1904 Mr.. Scofield again headed
| state ticket, which had been nomi-
mated by conservative republicans in
/ opposition to Gov. La Toilette and
other state officers who were candi-
| dates for reelection. The conserva-
ton ticket was defeated.