Illinois. Governor (1889-1893 : Fifer)

Joseph W. Fifer (1840-1938), Republican Governor of Illinois (1889-1893), was born on October 28, 1840 at Staunton, Va. His family moved to McLean Co., Ill. (1857) where Fifer worked in the brick business. During the Civil War, Fifer enlisted as a private in the 33rd Illinois Infantry and was seriously wounded at Jackson, Miss. but rejoined his regiment (1863-1865). After the war, Fifer enrolled at Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Ill. where he supported himself by doing manual labor. Fifer graduated (1868); studied law; was admitted to the bar and began practicing law. On June 15, 1870, he married Gertrude Lewis. He was elected corporation counsel for Bloomington (1871); State's Attorney for McLean County (1872-1880); and State Senator (1880-1888). In 1888, he was elected Governor on the Republican ticket but was defeated for re-election by John P. Altgeld. He died in Bloomington, Illinois on Aug. 6, 1838.

From the description of Joseph Wilson Fifer correspondence, 1889-1893. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 35776502