Ramsey County History – Winter 2015: “Robert C. Minor: Steward on James J. Hill’s Private Railway Car”

Robert C. Minor: Steward on James J. Hill’s Private Railway Car
Author: Eileen R. McCormack

An African American who was the steward on James J. Hill’s private railway car (the A-18) for more than twenty years and was one the small number of Black employees of the Great Northern, Robert Minor (1863–1947), began working for the railroad in 1895. Minor was a trusted confidant of Hill and had significant responsibilities as part of his duties, which included all the preparations and cooking for the “President’s Special” wherever it went. Minor also accompanied Hill whenever he went to his Saint John River fishing lodge in Canada. After Hill died in 1916, Minor continued as steward on the car, serving other Hill family members until the early 1920s. A long-time resident of St. Paul’s Rondo neighborhood, Minor and his wife, Addie, were also prominent leaders of their church and community.
PDF of McCormack article