Joshua G. Newbold

Joshua G. Newbold ( born May 12, 1830, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, † June 10, 1903 in Mount Pleasant, Iowa ) was an American politician ( Republican) and from 1877 to 1878 the 10th Governor of the state of Iowa.

Early years

Joshua Newbold attended the local schools of his home in Pennsylvania. In 1854 he moved to Iowa, where he worked both as a farmer and as a dealer. During the American Civil War he fought as a captain in the Union army. He was involved among other things, in the siege of Vicksburg.

Political Rise and Governor of Iowa

After his military service Newbold began a political career. He was a member of the Republican Party and was their representative 1872-1876 in the House of Representatives from Iowa. In 1876 he was elected as a candidate of his party for the new lieutenant governor of his state. After the sitting governor, Samuel Jordan Kirkwood on February 1, gave up his position to enter the U.S. Senate, Newbold had to finish the unexpired term as governor. This term of office was from 1 February 1877 to 17 January 1878. During this time, his goal was to reduce government debt and reform the tax legislation.

Further CV

After the end of his governorship to Newbold devoted again to his private business. His only and last political office after his governorship was the mayor of the town of Mount Pleasant. This office he held from 1899 until his death in 1903. With his wife Rachel Farquhar he had five children.