William L. Utley

William Lawrence Utley Sr. (July 10, 1814 – March 4, 1887) was an American portrait artist, hotel keeper, politician, newspaper editor, and Wisconsin pioneer. He was the 3rd and 7th adjutant general of Wisconsin, and served as a Union Army colonel through most of the American Civil War. One of the major Union Army mustering grounds in Wisconsin was named "Camp Utley", for him.

He also served in the Wisconsin Senate (1861 & 1862) and state Assembly (1851 & 1852), representing Racine County. Initially affiliated with the Democratic Party, he became a member of the Free Soil Party over the issue of slavery in 1848. He then joined the Republican Party when that party was organized in 1854, then later joined the Greenback Party in 1878, running as a Greenback candidate for U.S. House in 1882 and governor in 1884.

Early life

Utley was born in Monson, Massachusetts, to Hamilton and Polly Utley. At age four, his father moved the family to Newbury Center, Ohio, about twenty miles east of Cleveland. He was educated by his father and then moved to New York to further his studies as a portrait painter. Utley was also an amateur violinist and played music for his uncle's dance classes while in New York. He was employed as a portrait artist in Racine and also taught dancing lessons. He also became proprietor of the Racine House—the first large hotel in the area.

In 1852, he was appointed Adjutant General of the Wisconsin Militia by Governor Leonard J. Farwell. When the Republican Party of Wisconsin became organized in 1854, Utley became a member. The 22nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry mustered into service September 2, 1862, under Colonel Utley and Lt. Colonel Edward Bloodgood. On September 22, they marched out with orders to proceed to Cincinnati and join the Army of Kentucky in blunting the Confederate Heartland Offensive.

At the end of the war, an $800 judgement was rendered against Colonel Utley for having assisted the escape of Adam and other fugitive slaves. Utley paid the fine, but was later reimbursed by the U.S. government.

Utley's health never fully recovered from his time in captivity. He died of diabetes at his home in Racine in 1887.

Wisconsin Governor (1884)