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Ramsey County History – Spring 2015: “‘I’m Going to Stick by Uncle Sam:’ The Mysterious Tale of the First Volunteer”

Patrick M. Hill

“I’m Going to Stick by Uncle Sam:” The Mysterious Tale of the First Volunteer Author: Patrick M. Hill Since at least the 1880s, Josias R. King of St. Paul has widely been credited with being the first volunteer to enlist in the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment following President…

Ramsey County History Podcast #4 – Spring 2015: History or Folklore?

Paul Nelson and William Lass

History or Folklore? For more than a century, pioneer legislator Joe Rolette has been credited for preventing the Minnesota state capital from being moved from St. Paul to St. Peter. The story has been repeated countless times. But, is it true? In this episode, Minnesota historian William…

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

Eileen R. McCormack

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,…

Ramsey County History – Winter 2015: “October 1857: The Kochendorfers Arrive in St. Paul”

Daniel C. Munson

October 1857: The Kochendorfers Arrive in St. Paul Author: Daniel C. Munson Johan and Catherine Kochendorfers were German immigrant farmers in central Illinois who along with their four children moved to Minnesota Territory in 1857. In November of that year, Catherine wrote a long letter in German to her…

Ramsey County History – Winter 2015: “William Boss and His Specialty Manufacturing Company”

Harlan Stoehr

William Boss and His Specialty Manufacturing Company Author: Harlan Stoehr During his lifetime, William Boss (1869–1965) of St. Paul was a farmer, student, instructor, inventor, professor, administrator, and entrepreneur. This article examines how he came to play so many roles, first at the School of Agriculture at the University…

Ramsey County History – Fall 2014: “In Search of Ethel Stewart”

Steve Trimble

In Search of Ethel Stewart Author: Steven C. Trimble Ethel Hall Stewart (1879–1959) is considered the person most responsible for the founding of the Ramsey County Historical Society (RCHS). Steve Trimble wrote a biographical profile of Stewart that was published in the Fall 2012 issue. Here, he revisits Stewart’s…

Ramsey County History – Fall 2014: “Growing Up in St. Paul: The Peripatetic RCHS in the Mid-1970s”

Anne Cowie

Growing Up in St. Paul: The Peripatetic RCHS in the Mid-1970s Author: Anne Cowie Returning to Minnesota in early 1974 with a graduate degree in history, Anne Cowie was hired by the Ramsey County Historical Society (RCHS)  to do research and writing for a new exhibit the society planned…

Ramsey County History – Fall 2016: “Virginia Brainard Kunz and Ramsey County History”

John M. Lindley

Virginia Brainard Kunz and Ramsey County History Author: John M. Lindley John Lindley served as the volunteer chair of the RCHS editorial board between 1989 and 2005. In that capacity, he worked closely with Virginia Brainard Kunz, who was the founding editor of Ramsey County History (published twice a year…

Ramsey County History – Fall 2014: “The RCHS Archives and Collections Since 1964”

Mollie Spillman

The RCHS Archives and Collections Since 1964 Author: Mollie Spillman Collections form the foundation of Ramsey County Historical Society’s (RCHS) history and programs. When RCHS was organized in 1949 by Ethel Hall Stewart and others, it first acquired the Gibbs Farm Museum, which opened in 1954, and began to…