Lancaster in Grant County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Nelson Dewey
First Governor of Wisconsin
Photographed by Gordon Govier, August 7, 2009
1. Nelson Dewey Marker
Inscription.
Nelson Dewey. First Governor of Wisconsin. When Nelson Dewey left his parents' home at Hamilton, New York, at the age of 23, he traveled by stagecoach, steamer, sailing vessel, horse-back, and on foot to reach Wisconsin. The trip took five weeks, and Dewey arrived in Cassville in June of 1836, about two weeks before Wisconsin was officially established as a territory. He soon became interested and active in politics and when Grant County was organized the next year, he became its first Register of Deeds and moved to Lancaster. Next he entered the Territorial Legislature, and when Wisconsin became the 30th state in 1848, Dewey was elected its first governor. Because of his election to such a high office at the age of 35, many people expected him to continue in a political career but he disliked politics and returned to Grant County. In 1854 he began to acquire land at Cassville and developed a 2,000 acre plantation, which he called "Stonefield," today preserved in Nelson Dewey State Park. He died July 20, 1889 and his was the last burial in this cemetery.
When Nelson Dewey left his parents' home at Hamilton, New York, at the age of 23, he traveled by stagecoach, steamer, sailing vessel, horse-back, and on foot to reach Wisconsin. The trip took five weeks, and Dewey arrived in Cassville in June of 1836, about two weeks before Wisconsin was officially established as a territory. He soon became interested and active in politics and when Grant County was organized the next year, he became its first Register of Deeds and moved to Lancaster. Next he entered the Territorial Legislature, and when Wisconsin became the 30th state in 1848, Dewey was elected its first governor. Because of his election to such a high office at the age of 35, many people expected him to continue in a political career but he disliked politics and returned to Grant County. In 1854 he began to acquire land at Cassville and developed a 2,000 acre plantation, which he called "Stonefield," today preserved in Nelson Dewey State Park. He died July 20, 1889 and his was the last burial in this cemetery.
Erected 1961 by Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 103.)
Location. 42° 50.743′ N, 90° 42.631′ W. Marker is in Lancaster, Wisconsin, in Grant County. It is on South Jefferson Street 0 miles north of East Oak Street, on the right. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lancaster WI 53813, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, in the Driftless Area Bluff Country, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The First Civil War Monument (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pleasant Ridge (approx. 4½ miles away); a different marker also named
Photographed by Gordon Govier, August 7, 2009
2. Nelson Dewey Marker
The marker and Dewey's grave are located in the cemetery.
3. Gravestone of Nelson Dewey, First Governor of Wisconsin
Photographed by Gordon Govier, August 7, 2009
4. Gravestone of Nelson Dewey, First Governor of Wisconsin
Photographed by Gordon Govier, August 7, 2009
5. Statue of Nelson Dewey, First Governor of Wisconsin
This statue is located at the Grant County Courthouse, two blocks from the cemetery and historical marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2009, by Gordon Govier of Fitchburg, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,007 times since then and 74 times this year. Last updated on May 9, 2024, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 9, 2009, by Gordon Govier of Fitchburg, Wisconsin. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
