Catalog
Ramsey County History – Fall 1991: “The 150th Anniversary of the Naming of the City: St. Paul and the Rush to Settlement—1840 to 1880
Virginia Brainard KunzThe 150th Anniversary of the Naming of the City: St. Paul and the Rush to Settlement—1840 to 1880 Author: Virginia Brainard Kunz St. Paul’s earliest years recounted by the dean of Ramsey County historians. The essential information and vital characters are all here: Father Galtier, the chapel and the name,…
Ramsey County History – Fall 1991: “Who WAS Pigs Eye Parrant, Anyway?”
Ronald M. HubbsWho 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 – Fall 1991: “Forgotten Pioneer: Abraham Perry and the Story of His Flock”
Patrick R. MartinForgotten Pioneer: Abraham Perry and the Story of His Flock Author: Patrick R. Martin The story of early settler Abraham Perry, written by a great-great-great-great grandson. Perry (born Perret) was lured from Switzerland to the Selkirk Colony in Manitoba in 1820. When that failed, he and family came to Fort…
Ramsey County History – Spring 1991: “A Minnesotan Abroad: Alexander Wilkin and the ‘Dumpy’ Queen”
Ronald M. HubbsA Minnesotan Abroad: Alexander Wilkin and the ‘Dumpy’ Queen Author: Ronald M. Hubbs Wilkin, an important early Minnesota citizen, went to Europe three times, 1855–1858, and wrote letters home. Mostly he griped, though he did like Florence and big events that involved dressing up: “I wore my uniform which was…
Ramsey County History – Fall 1990: “No Cash, No Credit, No Jobs—St. Paul and the Panic of 1857”
Ronald M. HubbsNo Cash, No Credit, No Jobs—St. Paul and the Panic of 1857 Author: Ronald M. Hubbs The nationwide Panic of 1857 shattered the booming – and enthusiastically speculating – St. Paul. This piece follows the crisis mostly through the pens of newspapermen, chiefly those of the Daily Minnesotian and St.
Ramsey County History – Fall 1989: “A Pioneer Writes Home: Alexander Wilkin and 1850s St. Paul”
Ronald M. HubbsA 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 – Fall 1989: “Cold Weather, Warm Hearts”
Ramsey County Historical SocietyCold Weather, Warm Hearts Short article quoting newspapers on St. Paul’s winter entertainment circa 1850. PDF of Weather photo essay…
Ramsey County History – Fall 1988: “The Fire and Marine: Facts, Fancies, Legends—The First 100 Years of Minnesota’s Oldest Business Corporation”
Ronald M. HubbsThe 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 NeillLove 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…