Henry Clay Putnam (January 17, 1846 – July 7, 1913) was an American businessman, Republican politician, and Wisconsin pioneer. He served four years each in the Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly, representing Green County. During the American Civil War, he was enlisted in the Union Army.
Henry Putnam | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 17th district | |
| In office January 7, 1895 – January 2, 1899 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Burdge |
| Succeeded by | Harry C. Martin |
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly | |
| In office January 2, 1893 – January 7, 1895 | |
| Preceded by | District established |
| Succeeded by | Nathaniel B. Treat |
| Constituency | Green district |
| In office January 5, 1891 – January 2, 1893 | |
| Preceded by | Philip Allen |
| Succeeded by | District abolished |
| Constituency | Green–Lafayette 2nd district |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 17, 1846 Newark, Ohio |
| Died | July 7, 1913 (aged 67) Brodhead, Wisconsin |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Frances Sutherland (died 1895) |
| Children |
|
| Occupation | Farmer, banker |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Volunteers Union Army |
| Years of service | 1863–1865 |
| Rank | Corporal, USV |
| Unit | 1st Reg. Wis. Vol. Cavalry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Early life
editPutnam was born in Newark, Ohio, in 1846. He moved to Wisconsin with his parents in 1849, settling in Decatur in Green County. He was educated in the common schools in Green County until age 16, when he enlisted in the Union Army.[1]
Civil War service
editPutnam enlisted in the Summer of 1863 and was enrolled as a private in Company B of the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment. He was subsequently promoted to corporal.[2] He joined the regiment near Chattanooga, Tennessee, in the midst of the Chattanooga campaign. With the regiment, he went on to participate in the Battle of Mossy Creek, the Battle of Dandridge, Sherman's Atlanta Campaign, and Wilson's Raid in Alabama and Georgia.[3]
Postbellum career
editPutnam mustered out with his regiment in July 1865. After returning to Wisconsin, he worked as a traveling salesman for nine years, then worked in the lumber business and operated a farm. In the 1890s he became involved with the Green County Bank of Brodhead as vice president.[1]
Politically, Putnam associated with the Republican Party. He was elected president of the Village of Brodhead, Wisconsin, in 1883 and 1884 and was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1890 and 1892.[1] In 1894, he was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate, representing the 17th Senate district for four years.[1] He was not a candidate for re-election in 1898.
He died at his home in Brodhead, Wisconsin, in 1913.[4]
Personal life and family
editPutnam was active for the remainder of his life in the Wisconsin chapter of the Grand Army of the Republic. He married Frances Sutherland, but their only child died in infancy.
Electoral history
editWisconsin Assembly (1890, 1892)
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Election, November 4, 1890 | |||||
| Republican | Henry C. Putnam | 1,299 | 47.05% | −1.43% | |
| Democratic | Rinaldo R. Fleek | 1,217 | 44.08% | +4.48% | |
| Prohibition | J. C. Murdock | 151 | 5.47% | −1.44% | |
| Labor | James F. Grinnell | 94 | 3.40% | −1.62% | |
| Plurality | 82 | 2.97% | -5.91% | ||
| Total votes | 2,761 | 100.0% | -17.43% | ||
| Republican hold | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Election, November 8, 1892 | |||||
| Republican | Henry C. Putnam | 2,226 | 44.04% | ||
| Democratic | Gilbert T. Hodge | 2,061 | 40.77% | ||
| Populist | Frank H. Smock | 411 | 8.13% | ||
| Prohibition | William Smiley | 357 | 7.06% | ||
| Plurality | 165 | 3.26% | |||
| Total votes | 5,055 | 100.0% | |||
| Republican win (new seat) | |||||
Wisconsin Senate (1894)
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Election, November 6, 1894 | |||||
| Republican | Henry C. Putnam | 7,129 | 61.40% | +8.31% | |
| Democratic | Edward Drotning | 3,214 | 27.68% | −13.40% | |
| Prohibition | F. R. Derrick | 741 | 6.38% | +0.56% | |
| Populist | E. P. Hassinger | 526 | 4.53% | ||
| Plurality | 3,915 | 33.72% | +21.71% | ||
| Total votes | 11,610 | 100.0% | +42.30% | ||
| Republican hold | |||||
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Casson, Henry, ed. (1897). "Biographical" (PDF). The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 664. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ "First Regiment Cavalry". Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers, War of the Rebellion, 1861–1865. Office of the Adjutant General of Wisconsin. 1886. p. 10. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ Quiner, Edwin B. (1866). "Regimental History–First Cavalry". The Military History of Wisconsin. Clarke & Co. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ "Death Sends Summons for H. Clay Putnam". Fond du Lac Commonwealth Reporter. July 7, 1913. p. 1. Retrieved November 15, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Cunningham, Thomas J., ed. (1891). "Biographical" (PDF). The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 592. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ Cunningham, Thomas J., ed. (1893). "Biographical" (PDF). The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 641–642. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
