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Aiton, George B.
Aiton, George Briggs, educator and author of Minneapolis, Minn., was born June 15, 1856, in Nicollet County, Minn. Since 1893 he has been state inspector of high schools of Minnesota. He is the author of The Descriptive Speller and other works.
[Herringshaw's American Blue-Book of Biography by Thomas William Herringshaw and American Publishers' Association, 1914 - TK - Transcribed by FOFG]
Akeley, Healy C.
Akeley, Healy Cady, soldier and lumber merchant of Minneapolis, Minn., was born March 16, 1836, in Stowe, Vt. He served in the civil war. In 1866-81 was collector of customs for the district of Michigan. He is president of the H. C. Ackley Lumber company.
[Herringshaw's American Blue-Book of Biography by Thomas William Herringshaw and American Publishers' Association, 1914, Transcribed by FOFG]
Aldrich, Clara
Clara Adelia Heaton Aldrich, widow of Cyrus Aldrich, was born at Silver Creek, N. Y., March 15, 1829 removing with her father's family to Laporte, Ind., in 1837. Her father, Cyrus Heaton, built the first sawmill at Silver Creek. Her mother, Betsey Spaulding Heaton, was a descendant of Edward Spaulding, who came from England in 1630 and held office in the colonies. Her grandfather Heaton served in the Revolutionary War under Stark, and died of wounds received in battle.
Mrs. Aldrich came to Minneapolis with her husband in 1856, and resides at the old homestead, corner Ninth street and First avenue south, at the present time.
Moses K. Armstrong, was born Sept. 20, 1832, in Milan, Ohio, and emigrated to Minnesota territory in 1855. He was the first surveyor of Mower County, Minn., and wrote its early history. In 1857 he was appointed a United States land surveyor in southwestern Minnesota, and in 1858 was a delegate to the first state convention, which nominated Henry Sibley for governor. He is a well known pioneer writer, and is author of the 'Early History of Dakota Territory in 1866," and of the recent illustrated work entitled, "Early Empire Builders of the Great West."
The American Biographer speaks of him as follows:
"The historical and descriptive writings of Moses K. Armstrong are a credit to American literature. His admirable pioneer sketches cover a long period of frontier life, dating back to the time when he left his native college at the age of eighteen, and turned his youthful eye to the Great West, with no fortune to guide him but the prayers and tears of a kind mother and her parting words of hope for the future.' He arrived on the banks of the Mississippi as a pioneer land surveyor, with his compass on his back, alone and friendless, before the day of western railroads. He crossed that great river and traveled on foot through northern Iowa and southern Minnesota, surveying land claims for early settlers. From here he afterwards pushed westward, with ox team, crossing Dakota to the Missouri river, where he passed several years in the Indian country, staking out land claims for the venturesome pioneers. "He has passed through the periods of pioneer surveyor, historian, legislator, and congressman, and has stored his mind with useful knowledge. He is a pioneer who is an honor to himself and a credit to mankind." [Minnesota Territorial Pioneers - Biographical Sketches of Territorial Pioneers]
Contributed by Jo Ann Scott
Aldrich, Cyrus
Cyrus Aldrich was born in Smithfield, R. I., June 8th, 1808. His father, Dexter Aldrich, was a banker. His mother was a Miss White, descended from Thomas White, who came with the puritans from England in 163o. He worked on his father's farm until seventeen, when he took a sea voyage, and was wrecked on the of St. Thomas, W.I. In 1837 he came west, and the next year took a contract on the Illinois and Michigan canal, which terminated disastrously for him as well as for the state. In 1842 he became a member of the firm of Aldrich, Galbraith, Porter & Co., with headquarters in Galena, Ill., largely engaged in the stage business and mail contracts. In May, 1845, he was married to Clara Adelia Heaton of Indiana. The previous year he was elected to the state legislature. While a member of the legislature the old indebtedness of the state was settled; the good common sense and clear head for business and public measures of Mr. Aldrich had great influence in straightening the knotty question. He was proud of having a voice in the settlement of that dispute, as were his constituents. C. L. Wilson, in the Chicago Journal, said, "Every one of Mr. Aldrich's constituents should take him by the hand and say, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant.' In 1847 he was elected registrar of deeds of Jo Davis county. In the spring of 1849, President Taylor appointed him receiver of public moneys in the United States land office at Dixon, ILL., where he moved and resided until sota in 1856.
In 1854 he was elected chairman of the board of supervisors of Dixon and a member of the board of commissioners of Lee county. In 1852 he received the Whig nomination for congress in his district, having the well-known "Long John" Wentworth for an opponent. Although the district was hopelessly Democratic, he worked so zealously that he ran 1570 votes ahead of his party, and always said if he had had the sinews of war that "Long John" had, and not so heavy a load as General Scott to carry, he should have won the day.
He settled in Minneapolis in 1856, where he lost none of his popularity. In the spring of 1857 he was nominated to the constitutional convention and elected by a larger majority than any other candidate. A few days after the conclusion of the convention he was nominated by the Republicans as one of the three congressmen, but his party was unsuccessful. He became so widely known, however, during the canvass that at the next election for congress in 1858 he was elected by over 4,000 majority, and was re-elected in 1860 by over 10,500 majority.
When the First Minnesota Regiment of immortal fame was called into the field, he became its devoted friend. His unceasing generosity and labor shortened his life, impoverished his fortune and caused him to sacrifice some of his valuable property. President Lincoln, a warm personal friend, appointed him one of the three members of the Sioux Indemnity Commission in 1863. He was one of the incorporators of the Northern Pacific Railway, and did good service in its cause. In 1864 he was elected to the state legislature. He was appointed postmaster of Minneapolis in 1867, filling the position to the satisfaction of all.
The kindly deeds which will keep him fresh in the minds of his friends are those which he performed in the aid of our soldiers in the War of the Rebellion. He died at his home in Minneapolis, Oct. 5, 1871, at the age of 63. [Minnesota Territorial Pioneers - Biographical Sketches of Territorial Pioneers - Contributed by Jo Ann Scott]
Ames, Charles W.
Ames, Charles Wilberforce, publisher and founder of 44 West Third St., St. Paul, Minn., was born June 30, 1855, in Minneapolis, Minn. He was the originator and one of the most active founders of the St. Paul Institute of Arts and Sciences. He is secretary, general manager and vice-president of the West Publishing company.
[Herringshaw's American Blue-Book of Biography by Thomas William Herringshaw and American Publishers' Association, 1914 - TK - Transcribed by FOFG]
Bell, John
John Edson Bell was born at Brownsville, Jefferson County, N. Y., Oct. 10, 1834. He came to Minneapolis May 5, 1857, and entered the store of Amos Clark, as a clerk, on Bridge Square, corner of Hennepin avenue and First street. The next year, with Alexander Campbell of New York for a partner, he opened a general store on Bridge Square under the firm name of J. E. Bell & Co. In 186o his brother David bought Mr. Campbell's interest, and the firm name was changed to Bell Brothers, and the business continued until 1867, at which time the business was sold to J. W. Johnson and J. A. Wolverton. For the next three years. Mr. Bell was located in New York as Eastern buyer for Auerbach, Finch & Scheffer, wholesale dry goods dealers of St Paul.
In 1870 Mr. Bell returned to Minneapolis, and with E. S. Jones organized the Hennepin County Savings Bank, of which bank he was cashier until Mr. Jones' death, in 1890, since which time he has been its president. The bank is now the oldest savings bank in the state, and during its thirty-one years of existence has never passed a dividend, and has paid to its depositors over $800,000 of interest on their deposits and are now paying $45,000 of interest annually to their depositors, who are largely the laboring people of Minneapolis. During the financial panic of 1893 a few of its depositors gave notice of withdrawal of funds, but when the limit expired not a depositor wanted to withdraw funds except as in ordinary times.
Mr. Bell has been connected with the Plymouth Congregational church most of the time since its organization and was a teacher in its Sunday school for many years. [Minnesota Territorial Pioneers - Biographical Sketches of Territorial Pioneers]
Contributed by Jo Ann Scott
Benson, Jared
Jared Benson was born in Worcester County, Massachusetts, November 7, 1821, died May 18, 1894, at St. Paul, Minn. He received a common school education in his native state and settled in Minnesota in 1855, locating at Anoka. His chief occupation was that of a farmer, but at various times in his life he followed other pursuits for brief intervals. In the later fifties he graded a considerable part of the roadbed of the St. Paul & Pacific Railroad. During the Civil War he had the contract for supplying the garrison at Fort Snelling with beef. Later, Mr. Benson was a director and right of way agent for the St. Paul & Pacific R. R.
As a farmer he took a genuine interest in all matters pertaining to his calling, especially in the raising of blooded stock, to which he devoted considerable money and effort. Mr. Benson took a deep interest in political affairs, and his tastes in this direction were evidenced by the fact that he held county and state offices almost continuously from his majority up to within a few years of his death. He was chairman of the Republican State Central Committee in 1858-59, clerk of the house of representatives in 1859-60, speaker of the house of representatives in 1861-62 and of the extra session of 1862 and in 1864, member of the house in 1879 and 1889, collector of internal revenue in 1872, regent of the state university in 1862.
Mr. Benson was married in 1842 to Miss Martha Taft, daughter of Arnold Taft, Esq., a prominent citizen of Worcester County, Massachusetts. Mrs. Benson still survives her husband. Besides his widow, five children, four sons and one daughter, survive Mr. Benson. [Minnesota Territorial Pioneers - Biographical Sketches of Territorial Pioneers]
Contributed by Jo Ann Scott
Benz, George
George Benz was born in Osthofen, Germany, April 23, 1838. He came to Minnesota in 1856, and located in St. Paul, and soon thereafter started in the liquor business, and now conducts the largest wholesale liquor house in the Northwest. Mr. Benz was a member of the legislature in 1873-4-5, and has also served on the city school board. Mr. Benz was married to Rosa Voehringer April 26, 1861. [Minnesota Territorial Pioneers - Biographical Sketches of Territorial Pioneers]
Contributed by Jo Ann Scott
Babcock, Mr.
Mr. Babcock was born in Otsego County, N. Y., Sept. 21, 1831, and came to Minnesota Territory Sept. 28, 1855. The following spring he was ordained a minister of the gospel in the Baptist church, and in April brought his wife to Minnesota and began pioneer work, preaching from house to house, in pre-emption shanties, and doing hand-to-hand work, largely in Winona and adjoining counties. Later on, when churches were organized, he did pastoral work, part of the time being under appointment as a missionary of the Home Mission Society of New York, but was mostly dependent upon his own resources in the local fields. Health failing, he resigned the regular pastorate, but continued to preach part of the time in destitute fields and do outside work. Now, in his seventieth year, he preaches occasionally.
Mrs. Babcock, born in Otsego County, N.Y., Sept. 16, 1833, taught one of the first public schools of Wilson, Winona County, in 1856. Although many of her pupils have passed over to the other side, she still lives to enjoy the fruit of much hard - wrought pioneer work.
Mr. and Mrs. Babcock now reside in Minneapolis, and take pleasure in contemplating the marvelous development of their adopted Minnesota. [Minnesota Territorial Pioneers - Biographical Sketches of Territorial Pioneers]
Contributed by Jo Ann Scott
Berkey, Peter
Peter Berkey was born near Johnstown, Somerset county, Pa., Sept. 14, 1822. When a young man he worked for the Pennsylvania Canal Company. He displayed such faithful interest in his employers' affairs that he was advanced from time to time and finally became an agent for the company. Later on he ran a canal packet which made the trip from Johnstown to Pittsburgh. He was captain of the fast canal packet, which made the trip from Johnstown to Pittsburgh, one hundred miles, in twenty-four hours. In 1853 Mr. Berkey married Miss Annie E. Porter, of Westmoreland county, Pa. In the same year he came to St. Paul and became actively engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1871 he built the St. Paul, Stillwater and Taylor's Falls Railroad, and was its president until 1876, when the road was sold to the Chicago, St.. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railroad Company. Mr. Berkey assisted in organizing the Second National Bank of St. Paul, and was also one of the organizers of the St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company in 1865. In 1883 he organized the St. Paul National Bank, with a capital of $500,000, and was president of this bank from its organization until he resigned, in 1892. Mr. Berkey's standing as a citizen and business man has always been above reproach. He has one son, John A. Berkey, of Little Falls, Minn. [Minnesota Territorial Pioneers - Biographical Sketches of Territorial Pioneers]
Contributed by Jo Ann Scott
Berrisford, Enoch
Enoch F. Berrisford was born May 27, 1846 upon a farm near, the town of Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, England. His father left England with his family in 1856 to seek his fortune in America The main incident of this voyage across the water in the sailing vessel Lucy Thompson was the loss and recovery of the subject of this sketch. While playing with his brothers, on March 9th, Enoch was accidentally pushed overboard and remained in mid-ocean for twenty-four minutes, until rescued by the sailors of the vessel. All during his life Mr. Berrisford has celebrated the above date as his second birthday. On the arrival of the family in America, they went directly to a farm in Credit River township, Scott County, Minn., where an uncle had preceded them.
In the spring of 1862, when the Fifth Minnesota regiment was being formed at Fort Snelling, Enoch, with two of his young friends, presented himself as ready to engage in military service, but was rejected on account of his extreme youth and frail body. He returned home dejected, but made a second unsuccessful attempt the following spring, when the First Minnesota Mounted Rangers were enlisting to go with Gen. Sibley on what was known as "Sibley's Expedition against the Indians."
His third application, however, was successful. This time, the spring of 1864 the government was hiring men to go on the Sully Expedition, and Enoch was put in charge of a six-mule team and a government supply wagon. Here was the golden opportunity the young man had been waiting for, of serving his country. The remuneration was also a great consideration, in those days $30 per month and a soldier's rations being considered big pay.
After working in the employ of the government for over two years, Mr. Berrisford came to St. Paul and was admitted as partner in the wholesale and retail baking business of his eldest brother, Thomas. On April 8, 1867, Berrisford & Bro. formally opened their doors and continued to do business until the year 1872, when the firm was dissolved, E. P. taking the wholesale part and Thomas retaining the retail department
The brothers again united their business interests in 1884 and were incorporated under the name of The Berrisfords' Baking and Confectionery Co., with E. P. Berrisford as president. This company carried on a successful business for years, and finally, in 1890, sold out to the American Biscuit and Manufacturing Co.
Mr. E. P. Berrisford was retained as manager of the Berrisford factory of the American Biscuit and Manufacturing Co. until his resignation, in 1896, when he retired from active business, and has since been devoting his time to his large real estate interests.
In the early days Mr. Berrisford served five years as a volunteer fireman, and was foreman of the old Minnehaha Engine Co. No. 2 until his resignation, August 23, 1873. In 1873 he was elected from the second ward of the city, on the Board of Education, for a term of three years.
Mr. Berrisford was married in St Paul in December, 1868, to Miss Isabella J. Young. To their union have been born six children, five of whom are now living - Ada A., Katherine M., Isabella J., Gertrude F. and Emma D., wife of Dr. Chas. W. Fogarty of Brown's Valley, Minn.
To Mr. Berrisford the change in the Northwest since he drove his six-mule team across the country in 1864, and the present time is hardly credible. The wild prairie that was once inhabited by buffalo, antelope and deer is now cultivated into fields of golden grain. Prairie dog villages are replaced by prosperous cities and towns. The nightly bark of the prairie dog has been changed to the shriek of the modern locomotive. In place of the Indian we have the white man, the author of all this progress. Verily can it be said of him, "He made the desert smile." [Minnesota Territorial Pioneers - Biographical Sketches of Territorial Pioneers]
Contributed by Jo Ann Scott
Berrisford, John
John Berrisford was born at Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, England, Sept. 21, 1842. His first work was in the Uttoxeter Pot Works, where he served as an apprentice for some time; this was discontinued when the family emigrated to America.
On arriving at Credit River Township, Scott County, Minn., he went to work on a farm for a Mr. Reagen, and continued in his employ until he moved to St. Paul. His first work in this city was with a Mr. Baxter, who kept a bakery on Jackson street between Fifth and Sixth streets. Stayed here four years, then went to Mississippi to bake for a large force of men that were building levees, but the war broke out, and poor John lost all his winter's pay, and had to borrow enough money to get back to St. Paul. On his return he enlisted in Company B, Third Minnesota Infantry, acting also as baker for the regiment; was at the Battle of Murfreesboro, where Col. Lester surrendered one of our best Minnesota regiments. Being paroled as prisoner of war he was sent back to Minnesota with his regiment, and engaged in the fight against Indians who had just massacred the frontier settlers. At Woodlake on the morning of Oct 23, 1862, the Third regiment showed its mettle, made a charge on the Indians and drove them over the hills. This ended the Indian campaign of 1862. John Berrisford also served in the Twentieth New York Independent Battery, and was discharged from United States service Aug. 5, 1865.
Mr. Berrisford returned to Minnesota in 1867 and engaged in the general merchandise business at Hamilton Station, Scott County; moved to St. Paul in 1887, where he carries on a fuel business at the corner of Rondo and St. Albans streets.
Mr. Berrisford was married in Chicago March 7, 1867, to Miss Jane E. Smith of that city. She died at Hamilton Station Nov. 2, 1886. Of this union were born six children, five of whom are now living, viz. William, Anatole, Thomas, George and Margaret.
Mr. Berrisford was again married in 1887 to Miss Elizabeth Youatt of Hamilton, Minn. Of this union two children have been born - Irene and Harriet. [Minnesota Territorial Pioneers - Biographical Sketches of Territorial Pioneers]
Contributed by Jo Ann Scott
Berrisford, Paul
Paul J. Berrisford was born on a farm at Credit River Township, Scott County, Minn., Sept, 22, 1857. He is of English descent, his father having emigrated to America and settling on a farm in Minnesota in 1856. It was on this farm that Joseph spent his boyhood years, and learned the art of farming. Being of an ambitious turn of mind he left the farm in 1873 and came to St. Paul to work for his brother Thomas, who kept a bakery on Fifth street. Here he learned the baking trade, and worked at the business until 1886, when he became one of the traveling salesmen for the Berrisford Baking & Confectionery Company. He stayed with the above firm until they sold out to the American Biscuit & Manufacturing Company, and is still on the road as one of the foremost salesmen for its successor, The National Biscuit Company. Mr. Berrisford is a kind and genial gentleman, who so thoroughly enjoys his work that he makes friends and customers wherever he goes.
Mr. Berrisford was married in 1880 to Miss Mary Furlong, who died in 1881. His second marriage was to Miss Mary E. Degan, and took place in St. Paul Jan. 15, 1883. Of this union two children have been born - Paul Joseph and Grace. [Minnesota Territorial Pioneers - Biographical Sketches of Territorial Pioneers]
Contributed by Jo Ann Scott
Berrisford, Thomas
Thomas Berrisford was born November 15, 1840, upon a farm near, the town of Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, England. He came to America with his parents in April of the year 1856 and settled on a farm in Credit River township, Scott County, Minnesota, where he remained one year; drifted to St Paul and found occupation with a Mr. Robert Baxter, who kept a small bake shop on Jackson street. Here he learned the baking trade and remained until the Indian massacre of 1862, when Mr. Baxter was killed by the Indians. This year he went to Chicago, where he worked in some of the largest bakeries of that city until the spring of 1864, leaving there to take charge of a large bakery in Memphis, Tenn. He stayed there about eight or nine months, leaving his wife and family in Chicago. On his return to Chicago he worked in the aerated bread department of the Dake bakery, but finally returned to St. Paul in 1866.
In 1867 he started in the baking business with a brother-in-law, Owen Kernan. This partnership ended the same year, Mr. Kernan withdrawing, a younger brother, E. F. Berrisford, taking his place. The firm was known as Berrisford & Brother until 1872, when they dissolved, Thomas taking the bread and retail departments and E. F. the wholesale and cracker part of the business.
In the year 1884 the business interests of the two brothers were again united and incorporated under the name of the Berrisforde Baking and Confectionery Co. In this company Thomas Berrisford was one of the board of directors, and held the offices of vice president and treasurer. In 1889 he withdrew from the firm and opened a bakery on Robert street, where he continued until his death, which occurred at Hot Springs, S.D., March 14, 1894. His remains are interred in the family lot at Calvery Cemetery.
In the year 1862, while in Chicago, Mr. Berrisford became a convert to the Catholic church, and rigidly lived up to its laws and doctrines during the remainder of his life. He was always an active worker in the St. Vincent de Paul Society and devoted a large portion of his time in caring for the sick and needy. He was president of this society at the time of his death. judge Willis, in his resolutions, aptly said: "In the performance of his duties as president of this conference he was uniformly patient, courteous, kind and efficient. Whether presiding at our sessions, Visiting the poor, or laboriously performing duties connected with the distribution of alms, Thomas Berrisford ever carried the spirit and purpose which led Ozanam to an imitation of St. Vincent de Paul.
Mr. Berrisford was twice married. His first marriage occurred in St. Paul in 1861, when he was but little past twenty years, and was to Miss Mary Kernan. She died July 29, 1882. Of this marriage there were nine children, of whom five survive, viz.- Rose Ann, now Sister Titiana of the Good Shepherd's Order of Sisterhood; Frank J., Thomas Henry of St. Paul, Mary Jame, wife of James Kane; Ellen, wife of Herman Oleson, and Agnes Catherine.
His second marriage was to Miss Elizabeth A. McManus, and to this union were born seven children, five of whom are living - Enoch, Irene, Joseph, Thomas and Mark. [Minnesota Territorial Pioneers - Biographical Sketches of Territorial Pioneers]
Contributed by Jo Ann Scott
Bostwick, Lardber
Lardber Bostwick was born in Toronto, Ont., June 20, 1815, and was married March 6, 1843, to Eliza Kennedy. They had four children, two of whom are now living, Mrs. F. G. O'Brien of Minneapolis, and Mrs. H. A. Nott of Chicago.
Judge Bostwick died April 13, 1897, age eighty-two years, leaving a wife, the two daughters above mentioned, also a grandson, Edward J. O'Brien, a granddaughter, Mrs. W. O. Wolf, daughter of Mrs. Nott.
In 1843 judge Bostwick moved from Toronto to Chicago, and from thence to St. Anthony Falls in 1850.
He served his first term as justice of the peace in 1852. He was also the fourth judge of probate of Hennepin County; also court commissioner. He served as assessor of internal revenue from 1862 to 1866.
Judge Wm. Lochren, in an article some years ago, on reminiscences of the first lawyers in Hennepin county, says- "Lardner Bostwick was a man of unusual mental power, good literary attainments, and knowledge of the law, and Withal of spotless integrity and commanding dignity in court, while very genial and companionable in his intercourse with members of the bar and others. He was a most efficient magistrate, at a time when, owing to the rough manners of a pioneer community, such a man was needed to preserve order and respect for law." [Minnesota Territorial Pioneers - Biographical Sketches of Territorial Pioneers]
Contributed by Jo Ann Scott
Brackett, George
George Augusts Brackett was born Sept 16, 1836, at Calais, Maine. He arrived at St. Anthony April 30, 1857, and that summer drove the meat wagon for Stimson & Hayes, and in the winter worked on the dam of the Minneapolis Mill Company. The following spring he opened a meat market of his own. In 1862 he was given the contract to supply beef to the troops that were serving against the Indians. During 1864 he transported and supplied the troops under General Sully and the Garrison at Fort Wadsworth with provisions.
Later he operated the Cataract Flour Mill for several years in partnership with W. S. Judd, under the firm name of Judd & Brackett.
In the summer of 1869 he was assigned the duties of supplying a party of directors of the Northern Pacific Railway Company, who were out looking over the proposed route for the railroad across the plains, which he did successfully.
From 1870 to 1875 Mr. Brackett was purchasing agent for the Northern Pacific Railway Company, and interested as a contractor in the building of the road from the St. Louis River through to Bismarck. In 1873, in partnership with Anthony Kelly, he built the stone block at the corner of First avenue south and Second street, and the next winter engaged in packing pork.
Mr. Brackett was instrumental in organizing the fire department of Minneapolis, and in 1869 was made chief engineer, which position he held until 1872. At the first city election, in 1867, he was elected alderman from the Third ward. In 1873 Mr. Brackett was elected mayor of Minneapolis.
After his retirement from the city government he was appointed surveyor general of logs and lumber for the Second district by Governor Davis, which office Mr. Brackett held successfully for eight years. Mr. Brackett was appointed one of the commissioners of the park board of the City of Minneapolis at its organization, which office he held for six years.
In 1890 he was president of the Minneapolis Stock Yards and Packing Company, located at New Brighton, in which he was heavily interested. The venture was not a success financially and the panic of 1893 forced Mr. Brackett to the wall, and he disposed of his property to satisfy his creditors. When the discovery of large quantities of gold was made in the Klondike region he went out there, hoping to secure another fortune for his family. His many friends will be pleased to learn that his prospects in that direction are good at the present time.
Mr. Brackett was married to Miss Anna M. Hoit, daughter of William Hoit, Aug. 19, 1858. Mrs. Brackett died in December, 1891, leaving husband, seven sons and one daughter. [Minnesota Territorial Pioneers - Biographical Sketches of Territorial Pioneers]
Contributed by Jo Ann Scott
Burbank, Henry
Henry Clay Burbank was born in Lewis, Essex County, N. Y., May 4, 1835. Came to Minnesota June 21, 1853. Mr. Burbank first went into business in 1857, at the age of twenty-two, at the foot of Jackson street, St. Paul, in the storage, forwarding and commission business and agents for the Galena, St. Paul and Minnesota Packet Co., under the firm name of J. C. & H. C. Burbank, out of which grew a wholesale grocery business, which was continued till 1868, the firm being then J. C. & H. C. Burbank & Co.
Mr. Burbank has been engaged in business of various kinds for forty-four years, among which may be named wholesale and retail merchandising, manufacturing of flour, lumber, ready made clothing and men's furnishing goods, extensively engaged for many years in government transportation, furnishing grain and other supplies to government, government contracting; also the transportation of the Hudson Bay Company's goods in bond from St. Paul to Fort Garry, Red River settlement, now Winnipeg, Man., under contract made with Sir George Simpson, for 5oo tons per annum for five years, commencing in 1858.
The building and operating of the first steamboats on the Red River of the North, under the firm names of J. C. & H. C. Burbank and J. C. & H. C. Burbank & Co.
The manufacture and wholesaling of clothing and men's furnishing goods in St. Paul covered a period from 1875 to 1898, twenty-four years inclusive, with a factory located in the East for twelve years of the time, seven years in Philadelphia and five years in New York City, under the firm name of H. C. Burbank & Co. Was receiver of United States land office at St. Cloud, Minn., from 1865 to 1870, and a member of senate, state legislature, for the years 1874 and 1875.
Mr. Burbank was married to Mary Cannon Mitchell, daughter of the late Gen. Henry Z. Mitchell, Sept. 3, 1868, at St. Cloud, Minn. [Minnesota Territorial Pioneers - Biographical Sketches of Territorial Pioneers]
Contributed by Jo Ann Scott
Butler, Nathan
Nathan Butler was born on a farm in the Town of Hancock, County of Hancock, State to Maine, Nov. 5, 1831. Came to Minnesota on the Steamer Northern Belle Nov. 10, 1856, and located at St Anthony Falls. Mr. Butler is a graduate of Waterville College of his native state. He is a civil engineer. He has practiced his profession and surveyed for the United States government in most parts of Minnesota. Mr. Butler has lived in Minneapolis many years, surveying and examining land. He examined in detail the entire land grant of the Great Northern Railway Co. He is now living on a farm of 600 acres, adjoining the City of Barnesville, in Clay County, in this state. [Minnesota Territorial Pioneers - Biographical Sketches of Territorial Pioneers]
Contributed by Jo Ann Scott
Chase, Mrs. Louise L.
CHASE, Mrs. Louise L., born in Warren, Mass., 2nd September, 1840. She is a daughter of Samuel and Mary Bond. Soon after her birth her parents moved to Brimfield, Mass., where she received her education, entering the Hitchcock free high school at the age of thirteen. Her attendance in that school was interrupted by a temporary residence in Columbia, Conn., where she attended a private school. She returned to Brimfield and finished her course at the age of sixteen. In 1857 she took up her residence in Lebanon, Conn., and there became the wife, in 1861, of Alfred W. Chase, a native of Bristol, R. I. Mr. and Mrs. Chase soon removed to Brooklyn, Conn., and in 1887 to Middletown, R. I., the home of Mr. Chase's family, where they still reside. In 1885 she was elected president of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Middletown, and in that way became prominent in the work. She was elected State vice-president of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and at about the same time State superintendent of the department of Sabbath observance. In 1886 she represented the State in the National Convention in Minneapolis, Minn. She was elected in 1891 State superintendent of scientific temperance instruction in schools.
(American Women Fifteen Hundred Biographies Vol. 1, by Frances Elizabeth Willard & Mary Ashton Rice Livermore, Publ. 1897. Transcribed by Marla Snow)
Clarke, Clarence W., investments; born Milwaukee, Wis., September 18, 1864; son Spencer W. and Marie (Foat) Clark; editor in public school; married, Minneapolis, 1888, Bella Scott; children: Marjorie L., born 1892; Winchester Scott, born 1893. Consecutive engaged as miller, traveling agent, and banker; now president and director Bankers' Loan and Investment company, Hudson River Land company. Was member common council, New Haven, Conn.; trustee New Haven Public Library; treasurer New Haven Republican club; was nominated for city sheriff of New Haven on Republican ticket; alderman for 7th Ward, city of Yonkers, two terms. Has been delegate to many conventions in N.Y. and Conn. Congregationalist. Member Elks and Masons; ex-president New Haven Orchestral Club; ex-member New Haven Grays (Co. F, 2d Reg't, C.N. G.). Recreations: Music, fishing, baseball. Clubs: Republican (N.Y. City), Union League (New Haven), City, Corinthian Yacht (Yonkers, N.Y.), Also Shenandoah Club, Roanoke, V a.
[Herringshaw's American blue-book of Biography: Prominent Americans of 1912- An Accurate Biographical Record of Prominent Citizens of All Walks of Life]
Clement, Andrew
Andrew A. Clement was born at Clairmont N. H., April 9, 1814. He came to Minnesota with his family in 1854, arriving at St. Paul on the War Eagle's last trip that year, Nov. 9. On account of low water, they were on the river five days in making the trip. Mr. Clement was a hotel keeper, having conducted the St. Lawrence Hotel at Ogdensburg N. Y., before he came to Minnesota. He was proprietor of the old Winslow House at St. Paul, in partnership with Mr. Parker, and in 1857 moved to St. Anthony and conducted the Tremont House. In 1861 had charge of the Nicollet Hotel, succeeding Eustis, Nudd & Hill. He died Feb. 20, 1882, leaving a widow, one son and four daughters. [Minnesota Territorial Pioneers - Biographical Sketches of Territorial Pioneers - Contributed by Jo Ann Scott]
Clement, Emily
Emily M. Clement, widow of A. A. Clement, was born at Winchendon, Mass., April, 1819. She was married at Cambridge, Mass., in 1844 and came west with Mr. Clement in 1854, assisting her husband in conducting the various hotels they had charge of. She now resides with her son, E. B. Clement, at Minneapolis. Her daughters are Mrs. Ella Clement Donaldson, Mrs. J. F. Wilcox, Mrs. A. H. Pauly and Mrs. C. H. Moses. [Minnesota Territorial Pioneers - Biographical Sketches of Territorial Pioneers]
Contributed by Jo Ann Scott
Cobb, Harrison
Harrison J. Cobb was born at Ripley, Somerset County, Maine, May 4, 1837. He Came to St. Anthony November 9, 1854. Mr. Cobb says the stage he came on from Dubuque to St. Paul was the first one over that route. In 1863, in partnership with, Levi Leighton, he leased the meat market of Hayes & Martin, St. Anthony, and carried on that business for a few Years. Later Mr. Cobb was carrying on a crockery business in Minneapolis, and in partnership with Mr. Leighton became interested in pine lands and the lumbering business. In the summer of 1869, when Governor J. Gregory Smith, president of the Northern Pacific Railroad, with a party of directors and friends, made the trip from St. Cloud through to Fort Stevenson to examine the proposed route for the railroad, he had charge of purchasing the supplies and outfit for the party in connection with George A. Brackett. In 1870 he was given the contract to furnish the N. P. R. R. all the lumber needed for buildings and bridges from Duluth junction to Red River, and with J. B. Bassett as a partner built the first mill at Brainerd and furnished the lumber for the road to Red River, and afterwards to Bismarck. Besides supplying the lumber for the railroad, they furnished all of the lumber used for the first few years in building the city of Brainerd. Mr. Cobb was dealing in live stock for thirty-two years, being a partner with H. H. Brackett for seventeen years.
He was married in May, 1857, to Miss Mary P. Morrill, and has since made his home in Minneapolis. [Minnesota Territorial Pioneers - Biographical Sketches of Territorial Pioneers]
Contributed by Jo Ann Scott
Cobb, Mary
Mary F. ( Morrill ) Cobb, wife of Harrison J. Cobb, was born at Cambridge, Somerset County, Maine, May 4, 1839. She came west in the spring of 1857, arriving at St. Anthony on May 4th, and the next day was married to Mr. Cobb at the house of Captain John Tapper, the ferryman and toll collector on Nicollet Island. In this particular case, however, Rev. Charles Seccomb received the toll. They were probably the first couple married on Nicollet Island, and it was in a small log house in the woods on the island that they commenced housekeeping. [Minnesota Territorial Pioneers - Biographical Sketches of Territorial Pioneers]
Contributed by Jo Ann Scott
Collins, Loren
Loren Warren Collins resides at St. Cloud; is a widower; was born in Lowell, Mass., 1838; settled upon Eden Prairie, Hennepin County, in 1854. Enlisted August 9th, 1862, in the Seventh Minnesota; served through the war; brevetted captain March 30, 1865. Was county attorney for ten years in Stearns County; member of the house of representatives in 1881-1883; one of the managers conducting the impeachment proceedings against District Court judge Cox; was appointed judge of the Seventh Judicial District, April 17, 1883; was appointed associate judge of the Supreme Court, Nov. 12, 1887, to fill a vacancy caused by the death of justice Berry; elected 1888, re-elected 1894, 1900. Upon the death of Senator Davis, in December, 1900, he was tendered an appointment to the United States Senate by Governor Lind, but declined. [Minnesota Territorial Pioneers - Biographical Sketches of Territorial Pioneers]
Contributed by Jo Ann Scott
Cushman, Charles
Charles M. Cushman was born at Attleboro, Mass., July 6, 1829. He came up the river on the steamboat War Eagle, arriving at Minneapolis May 6, 1857; Mrs. Cushman on Lady Franklin the previous year, both from Dunleith.
Mr. Cushman's early years were spent on his fathers farm, working summers and going to district school in the winter. Later he attended Phillips' Academy in Andover, Mass., and Bridgewater State Normal school. Before coming west he taught school for several years in his native town. On arriving in Minneapolis he was requested to take charge of the only school then in existence in Minneapolis, and did so, teaching one term. The school was located on Washington avenue, adjoining the St. James Hotel, in a two-story frame building.
He commenced business as a book seller and stationer in the summer of 1858 at 24 Washington avenue South, enlarging his store in 1865, and in 1886 built a new four-story brick block on the same ground. He is still in business at the old stand, the name of the firm now being Cushman & Plummer. Mr. Cushman was married to Emeline S. Clark November 24, 1859. [Minnesota Territorial Pioneers - Biographical Sketches of Territorial Pioneers]
Contributed by Jo Ann Scott
Cushman, Emeline
Emeline S. Cushman, daughter of Charles Clark, and wife of Charles M. Cushman, was born in Corning, N. Y., June 19, 1840. She came to Minneapolis with her father's family July 15, 1856, and was married to Mr. Cushman on November 24, 1859.
Mrs. Cushman's father was one of the early contractors and builders in Minneapolis, which business he followed for many years. In 1857, he built the first Hennepin, County court house at a cost of $36,000, and the same year the residence of Dr. A. E. Ames opposite, costing $12,000, and the Cataract House, now Sixth Avenue Hotel, at a cost of $30,000. He also built the first Plymouth Church edifice and many other buildings later. At Corning, N. Y., he built the first residence erected at that place.
Mr. and Mrs. Cushman have been connected with the Plymouth Congregational Church since its organization., Mr. Cushman being a deacon for several years. [Minnesota Territorial Pioneers - Biographical Sketches of Territorial Pioneers]
Contributed by Jo Ann Scott
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