Henry Putnam

For the Wisconsin lumberman, see Henry Cleveland Putnam. For the American businessman, see Henry W. Putnam.

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	(1846-01-17)January 17, 1846 Newark, Ohio
Died	July 7, 1913(1913-07-07) (aged 67) Brodhead, Wisconsin
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Frances Sutherland ​ (died 1895)​
Children	Essie Putnam (b. 1872; died 1873)
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

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.

Early life

Putnam 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

Putnam 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

Putnam 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

Putnam 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

Wisconsin Assembly (1890, 1892)

Wisconsin Assembly, Green–Lafayette 2nd District Election, 1890[5]

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

Wisconsin Assembly, Green District Election, 1892[6]

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)

Wisconsin Senate, 17th District Election, 1894[1]

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

1. Casson, Henry, ed. (1897). "Biographical" (PDF). The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 664. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
2. "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.
3. Quiner, Edwin B. (1866). "Regimental History–First Cavalry". The Military History of Wisconsin. Clarke & Co. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
4. "Death Sends Summons for H. Clay Putnam". Fond du Lac Commonwealth Reporter. July 7, 1913. p. 1. Retrieved November 15, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
5. 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.
6. 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.

External links

• Henry Putnam at Find a Grave

Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Philip Allen	Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Green–Lafayette 2nd district January 5, 1891 – January 2, 1893	District abolished
District established	Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Green district January 2, 1893 – January 7, 1895	Succeeded by Nathaniel B. Treat
Wisconsin Senate
Preceded by Richard Burdge	Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 17th district January 7, 1895 – January 2, 1899	Succeeded by Harry C. Martin