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.

Walter S. Greene
Portrait from The History of Jefferson County, Wisconsin (1879)
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 23rd district
In office
January 3, 1887 – November 15, 1891
Preceded byWilliam W. Reed
Succeeded byAlbert Solliday
In office
January 6, 1873 – January 4, 1875
Preceded byWilliam W. Woodman
Succeeded byWilliam W. Reed
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the Jefferson 2nd district
In office
January 6, 1862 – January 5, 1863
Preceded byHorace B. Willard
Succeeded byNathan S. Greene
Personal details
Born(1834-03-23)March 23, 1834
Salisbury, Herkimer County, New York, U.S.
DiedNovember 15, 1891(1891-11-15) (aged 57)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Cause of deathStomach cancer
Resting placeEvergreen Cemetery, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin
Political partyDemocratic
Spouses
  • Ella C. Potter
    (m. 1861; died 1863)
  • Jennette Guile
    (m. 1866⁠–⁠1891)
Children
  • Isabella P. Greene
  • (b. 1862; died 1917)
Parent

Biography

Walter Greene was born in Salisbury, in Herkimer County, New York, March 23, 1834.[1] He came west with his family in 1846, settling at the town of Milford, in the Wisconsin Territory.[2] 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".[1][3]

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.[2] He was subsequently elected to the Wisconsin State Senate from Jefferson County's Senate district in 1872.[4]

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.[1] He was re-elected in 1890,[1] 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.[5][6]

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.[2]

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.[7] They had one daughter together.

Walter Greene was survived by his second wife, Jennette Guile, and his daughter Isabella "Belle".[3]

Electoral history

Wisconsin Senate (1872)

Wisconsin Senate, 23rd District Election, 1872[4]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
General Election, November 5, 1872
DemocraticWalter S. Greene 3,983 60.76% +3.67%
RepublicanLuther A. Cole2,57239.24%
Plurality1,41121.53%+7.34%
Total votes6,555 100.0% +34.19%
Democratic hold

Wisconsin Senate (1886, 1890)

Wisconsin Senate, 23rd District Election, 1886[8]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
General Election, November 2, 1886
DemocraticWalter S. Greene 3,601 56.93% +1.58%
RepublicanJames W. Ostrander2,46438.96%+2.18%
ProhibitionGeorge W. Jenkins2604.11%-3.76%
Plurality1,13717.98%-0.61%
Total votes6,325 100.0% +19.09%
Democratic hold
Wisconsin Senate, 23rd District Election, 1890[1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
General Election, November 4, 1890
DemocraticWalter S. Greene (incumbent) 3,983 60.76% +3.83%
RepublicanJesse Stone2,57239.24%+0.28%
ProhibitionS. Faville3194.64%+0.53%
Plurality1,41121.53%+3.55%
Total votes6,874 100.0% +8.68%
Democratic hold

References

Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Jefferson 2nd district
January 6, 1862 – January 5, 1863
Succeeded by
Wisconsin Senate
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 23rd district
January 6, 1873 – January 4, 1875
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 23rd district
January 3, 1887 – November 15, 1891
Succeeded by
William W. Reed