1865 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

The 1865 gubernatorial election in Wisconsin was held on November 7, 1865. Republican Party candidate Lucius Fairchild won the election with nearly 55% of the vote, defeating Democratic candidate Harrison Carroll Hobart.[1]

1865 Wisconsin gubernatorial election

November 7, 1865

Nominee Lucius Fairchild Harrison Carroll Hobart Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 58,332 48,330 Percentage 54.69% 45.31%

Governor before election James T. Lewis Republican Elected Governor Lucius Fairchild Republican

The incumbent Governor, James T. Lewis, refused nomination for re-election.

American Civil War had concluded just a few months before this election was held; both major party candidates in this election were retired Brigadier Generals who had served with distinction in the war.

Democratic Party

Harrison Carroll Hobart had served as a Union Army officer through the entire war, rising from Captain to Brigadier General. He was captured and escaped captivity during the war. Prior to the war, Hobart had served in the Wisconsin State Assembly, and had served as Speaker of the Assembly in the 1849 session. He had also served as in the Wisconsin State Senate during the 1st Wisconsin Legislature. This was Hobart's second attempt at election for Governor of Wisconsin, having been defeated by Alexander Randall in the 1859 election.

Republican Party

Lucius Fairchild was the incumbent Wisconsin Secretary of State at the time of the 1865 election, having been elected in the 1863 election on the Democratic Party ticket. Fairchild was one of the first Wisconsin men to volunteer for service in the Union Army, and was Colonel in the famous Iron Brigade when they participated in fierce fighting at Gettysburg. At Gettysburg, Fairchild was wounded and captured. He was released from captivity, but his left arm had been crushed and had to be amputated. He returned to Madison to recuperate, and was then nominated for Wisconsin Secretary of State by the Democratic Party. President Lincoln awarded him an honorary promotion to Brigadier General, and he resigned his commission in the Army.

Results

Wisconsin Gubernatorial Election, 1865

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
General Election, November 7, 1865
	Republican	Lucius Fairchild	58,332	54.68%	-4.91%
	Democratic	Harrison Carroll Hobart	48,330	45.31%	5.11%
		Scattering	12	0.01%
Total votes			106,674	100.0%	-12.58%
	Republican hold

References

1. Joint Committee on Legislative Organization, Wisconsin Legislature (2015). Wisconsin Blue Book 2015–2016. Madison, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Department of Administration. pp. 699–701. ISBN 978-0-9752820-7-6.