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Ramsey County History – Winter 1993: “Josias King: First Volunteer for the Union”

Robert J. Stumm

Josias King: First Volunteer for the Union Author: Robert J. Stumm Minnesota legend insists that Minnesota offered the first Union army volunteers of the Civil War, and that the first of the first was Josias King. He posed for the monument at the foot of Summit Avenue. This is his…

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1993

Ramsey County History – Fall 1991: “Who WAS Pigs Eye Parrant, Anyway?”

Ronald M. Hubbs

Who WAS Pigs Eye Parrant, Anyway? Author: Ronald M. Hubbs Everything that is known about St. Paul’s first settler, in less than two full pages. He was an illiterate, intemperate, ill-mannered and itinerant fur trader and whiskey seller who hung around Fort Snelling for a few years in the mid-…

Ramsey County History – Summer 1991: “Dog Sled to Private Car: Peregrinating Hills”

Thomas C. Buckley

Dog Sled to Private Car: Peregrinating Hills Author: Thomas C. Buckley The James J. Hill’s fortune was based on transportation. Not surprisingly, the family used some of the money to travel by every means at hand. This article recounts many of their travels: by dogsled, rail, yacht and steamship, automobile,…

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1991

Ramsey County History – Summer 1991: “Walter Sanborn and the Eighth Circuit Court”

Thomas Boyd

Walter Sanborn and the Eighth Circuit Court Author: Thomas Boyd A biographical profile of one of Minnesota’s most distinguished lawyers. He came to St. Paul in 1870 to join his uncle’s law practice. Sanborn succeeded in private practice, served on the City Council, and was appointed to the Eighth Circuit…

Ramsey County History – Fall 1989: “A Pioneer Writes Home: Alexander Wilkin and 1850s St. Paul”

Ronald M. Hubbs

A Pioneer Writes Home: Alexander Wilkin and 1850s St. Paul Author: Ronald M. Hubbs Alexander Wilkin was an important early resident of St. Paul. Lawyer, speculator, politician, adventurer, he sought fortune and glory on the frontier. He got both, plus an early death in battle. Letters he wrote to…

Ramsey County History – Spring 1989: “Minnesota’ First Art School: St. Agatha’s Conservatory and the Pursuit of Excellence”

Sister Ann Thomasine Sampson

Minnesota’ First Art School: St. Agatha’s Conservatory and the Pursuit of Excellence Author: Sister Ann Thomasine Sampson Five pieces by the same author tell the story of St. Agatha’s Conservatory. Cousins Mother Seraphine and Mother Celestine of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet were major figures. St. Agatha…

Ramsey County History – Fall 1988: “The Fire and Marine: Facts, Fancies, Legends—The First 100 Years of Minnesota’s Oldest Business Corporation”

Ronald M. Hubbs

The Fire and Marine: Facts, Fancies, Legends—The First 100 Years of Minnesota’s Oldest Business Corporation Author: Ronald M. Hubbs Businessmen generally prefer stability, but frontier towns are often shaky. The St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company, born in 1853, helped create local stability. Its organizers were some of…

Ramsey County History – Fall 1988: “Love and Marriage on the Old Frontier”

Edward Duffield Neill

Love and Marriage on the Old Frontier Author: Edward Duffield Neill This article consists of extracts from an address made by Edward Duffield Neill at Fort Snelling in 1889. Neill tells about romances born at the fort in olden days. Characters include Zachary Taylor, Seth Eastman, Joseph Plympton, and…

Ramsey County History – Spring 1988: “The American National Bank and the Bremer Brothers”

Thomas J. Kelley

The American National Bank and the Bremer Brothers Author: Thomas J. Kelley Many entered the field of banking in the 1880s, but due to the Depression of 1893, many of these institutions folded. The American National Bank was opened in 1903 by local businessmen led by Otto Bremer, owner…