Leonard J. Farwell Whig William A. Barstow Democratic The 1853 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1853.

Democratic candidate William A. Barstow won the election with 55% of the vote, winning his first term as Governor of Wisconsin.

William A. Barstow was a resident of Waukesha County, and had previously served as Wisconsin's Secretary of State.

[2][3] Henry S. Baird was a resident of Green Bay, and was said to be the first practicing lawyer in the Wisconsin Territory.

He was a businessman and banker, interested in building a railroad to stretch from Milwaukee to the Mississippi River.