Ramsey County History – Spring 2009: “Minnesota Politics and Irish Identity: Five Sons of Erin at the State Capitol”

Minnesota Politics and Irish Identity: Five Sons of Erin at the State Capitol
Author: John W. Milton

The author, a former state senator, researched the five men of Irish extraction who are honored in the State Capitol. The first is “The Senator: Nicholas David Coleman (1925–1981),” a St. Paulite who served eighteen years in the legislative body and helped strengthen its role. Next is “The Populist: Ignatius Donnelly (1831–1901).” who was born in Philadelphia, settled south of St. Paul in Nininger, and was a third-party politician and writer. Next, “The Archbishop: John Ireland (1838–1918),” an immigrant from Ireland who eventually became known throughout the country. “The Governor: Andrew Ryan McGill (1840–1905),” was raised in Pennsylvania, settled in Nicollet County, and became a governor and author. The last is “The General: James J. Shields (1810–1879),” who settled in Faribault and was a Civil War hero. The author then compares and contrasts the similarities and differences among the men and looks at the stories of their descendants.
PDF of Milton article