William H. Upham

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For the U.S. Senator from Vermont, see William Upham.

William Henry Upham (May 3, 1841 – July 2, 1924) was a soldier, businessman, and politician who served as the 18th Governor of Wisconsin.

Upham was born in Westminster, Massachusetts and moved to Racine, Wisconsin, in 1853. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1861 and served during the United States Civil War in the Company "F", of the 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment called the Belle City Rifles. He was wounded during the First Battle of Bull Run by a bullet passing through his shoulder strap that supported his cartridge box just at the shoulder blade. After going to the field hospital, he was captured by Confederate forces and sent to the converted tobacco barn, Libby Prison along with privates of the Belle City Rifles, F. Lacy, James Anderson, John H. Anderson and Antle Henry. Congressman Alfred Ely from New York was captured along with them. At Libby Prison, he was attended by the Dr. Lewis the 2nd Wisconsin surgeon. His family back home were told that he was killed, since the captain of his company, Captain William Strong saw him shot and reported that he believed him to be dead. Thus back in his hometown of Racine, Wisconsin the folks even held a funeral for him. In 1866 he graduated from the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, and served in the Army until 1869, having risen to the rank of first lieutenant. Later in his life he was a Grand Army of the Republic officer with the rank of major.

He was a businessman in the lumber industry. He served one term as governor of Wisconsin but did not seek reelection.

At age 75 he married a much younger wife and begat two sons. William Henry Upham Jr. and Fredrick Upham. As of November 9, 2003 the both of them were alive. Meaning, that between the three of them they have lived all of the US history save the first 65 years. This means that children of civil war veterans are still alive. ^[1]

At age 83, William Upham died in his home in Marshfield, Wisconsin, due to pneumonia.

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