Introduction
Samuel Fallows (December 13, 1835 – September 5, 1922) was an English-born American clergyman, Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin, and a Union Army colonel during the American Civil War.
Early life
Fallows was born in Pendleton, Greater Manchester, England and emigrated to Wisconsin in 1848. He became a Methodist minister in 1858. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin (now University of Wisconsin–Madison) in 1859. He was elected Vice-President of Gainesville University, and entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. While ministering to the Oshkosh church, the Civil War began. He resigned his charge, and became chaplain of the 2nd Wisconsin Infantry.
American Civil War service
During the American Civil War, he fought in the Union Army, rising to lieutenant colonel of the 40th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment and colonel of the 49th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He was mustered out of the volunteers on November 1, 1865. On January 13, 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated Fallows for appointment to the grade of brevet brigadier general of volunteers to rank from October 24, 1865, and the United States Senate confirmed the appointment on March 12, 1866.After the war, he became a companion of the Illinois Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.
Later life
Fallows was a Methodist pastor following the war, and was appointed toSummerfield United Methodist Church from 1865 to 1868. In 1875, he joined the Reformed Episcopal Church, where he became a bishop in 1876. He was a public figure notable for his efforts in public education, prison reform, and the temperance movement. He was the Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin, 1870-1874. He was chaplain at the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Samuel Fallows died at Chicago, Illinois on September 5, 1922 and was buried at Forest Home Cemetery, in Forest Park, Chicago.