Ashley C. Riggs kept a ledger book journal from 1852-1873. The earliest entries are from Cold Spring (Stearns County), Minnesota and Watab (Benton County), Minnesota. The ledger's earliest entries record his activiites as an Indian Agent for the Winnnebago Indians for the years 1852-1853. The second portion of the ledger is Riggs' diary which documents his activities in and around Monticello, Minnesota for the years 1864-1873. Riggs was a key figure in the development of the Minnesota Territory and early Monticello, Minnesota community when he laid claim in 1854 to a piece of land on the Mississippi River. He built othe first ferry to shuttle people across the River. In 1861 he enlisted in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Minnesota's second Territorial Governor, Willis A. Gorman, signed this document that appointed William B. Dodd, one of the founders of St. Peter, as a Brigadier General of the First Brigade of the Second Division of the Militia of Minnesota Territory on February 20th, 1857.
R.B. McLean came to Superior, Wisconsin, in June of 1854 on the schooner "Algonquin." McLean recollects several trips along Lake Superior's North Shore, both before and after the 1854 Treaty of LaPointe, searching for veins of copper. He discusses early settlers on the North Shore, the first election in St. Louis County in 1855, the first mail route from Superior to Grand Portage (which McLean delivered), and the first cabins built in Duluth in the winter of 1854-55.
Governor Alexander Ramsey signed this document appointing Eugene St. Julien Cox of St. Peter as a Captain in the First Regiment of Mounted Rangers on the 11th day of November in 1862. Cox commanded Company E. He was 28 years old at the time he was mustered in on December 10th, 1862. Cox was mustered out on November 11th, 1863.
This 1865 diary records the daily farming activities of Newton Persons as well as the farm's production. On a daily basis, Newton recorded the weather conditions. Newton mentions neighbors and family. He was called to St. Paul to register for the draft but was not needed. He recorded the murders of President Abraham Lincoln and a neighbor.
Judge John R. Carey, an early settler on the north shore of Lake Superior, wrote this account of the history of Duluth and northern Minnesota until 1870. He describes early exploration of the area, the surveying of the town of Superior, missionary efforts in the area, early elections, the building of railroads, the development of iron ore deposits and interesting anecdotes about residents and events.
This typescript was copied in November 1926 from Alfred Merritt's original 1915 manuscript. The author described his family's experience on the north shore of Lake Superior from the time of their arrival via steamboat in 1856 until the year 1894, including accounts of pioneers, settlers and land claims, and the discovery of iron ore on the Mesaba Range. Merritt also addressed the creation and demise of the Duluth, Missabe and Northern Railroad.
Interview with Hugh Cline. He gives a brief personal history, including his work as a barber, and that he was a World War I veteran. This interview is part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Crow Wing County during the years 1936-1939. This outreach effort sought to record personal accounts of the lives of early Crow Wing County pioneers and settlers.
Interview with the wife of Albert Angel. She tells of him immigrating from Wales to Brainerd where he worked in the Northern pacific shops and then started his own business. This interview is part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Crow Wing County during the years 1936-1939. This outreach effort sought to record personal accounts of the lives of early Crow Wing County pioneers and settlers.
Interview with Ethel Campbell, granddaughter of C. N. Parker. She briefly relates some of her grandfather's personal history, including that he was a very prominent businessman in the early years of Brainerd's existence. This interview is part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Crow Wing County during the years 1936-1939. This outreach effort sought to record personal accounts of the lives of early Crow Wing County pioneers and settlers.
Interview with O. Cloeter, son of Ottmar Cloeter. He tells of his father's work as a missionary among the Indians. This interview is part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Crow Wing County during the years 1936-1939. This outreach effort sought to record personal accounts of the lives of early Crow Wing County pioneers and settlers.
Interview with Belle Spaulding. She gives a very brief history of Sarah Chapman, including how her husband had the first saw mill at old Crow Wing village. This interview is part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Crow Wing County during the years 1936-1939. This outreach effort sought to record personal accounts of the lives of early Crow Wing County pioneers and settlers.
Interview with John Shull. He very briefly relates some of his personal history. This interview is part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Crow Wing County during the years 1936-1939. This outreach effort sought to record personal accounts of the lives of early Crow Wing County pioneers and settlers.
Interview with Mrs. Fred Low and Marie Chadbourne, daughter-in-law and granddaughter, respectfully of Levi H. Low. They briefly relate some of his personal history, including that he was one of the first engineers for the Northern Pacific railroad. This interview is part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Crow Wing County during the years 1936-1939. This outreach effort sought to record personal accounts of the lives of early Crow Wing County pioneers and settlers.
Interview with Tom H. Harris. He relates some of his personal and family history. This interview is part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Crow Wing County during the years 1936-1939. This outreach effort sought to record personal accounts of the lives of early Crow Wing County pioneers and settlers.
Interview with the wife of Albert Joseph Forsythe. She gives a brief history of her husband. This interview is part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Crow Wing County during the years 1936-1939. This outreach effort sought to record personal accounts of the lives of early Crow Wing County pioneers and settlers.
Interview with Hazel Nisselius, daughter of Albert Tracy "Cod" Kimball. She relates some of her father's personal history. This interview is part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Crow Wing County during the years 1936-1939. This outreach effort sought to record personal accounts of the lives of early Crow Wing County pioneers and settlers.
Interview with Nettie Hoffman, wife of A. L. Hoffman. She very briefly relates some of her husband's personal history. This interview is part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Crow Wing County during the years 1936-1939. This outreach effort sought to record personal accounts of the lives of early Crow Wing County pioneers and settlers.
Interview about Elias Fenstermacher. A brief history of is life is recounted, including that he served in the Civil War. This interview is part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Crow Wing County during the years 1936-1939. This outreach effort sought to record personal accounts of the lives of early Crow Wing County pioneers and settlers.
Interview with Grace Hill, daughter of Fred Charles Hill. She relates some of the personal and family history of her father. This interview is part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Crow Wing County during the years 1936-1939. This outreach effort sought to record personal accounts of the lives of early Crow Wing County pioneers and settlers.
Interview with Ethel Campbell, daughter of Fred S. Parker. She briefly relates some of her father's personal history. This interview is part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Crow Wing County during the years 1936-1939. This outreach effort sought to record personal accounts of the lives of early Crow Wing County pioneers and settlers.
Interview with Mrs. Gust A. King. She relates some of the personal history of her husband and herself. This interview is part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Crow Wing County during the years 1936-1939. This outreach effort sought to record personal accounts of the lives of early Crow Wing County pioneers and settlers.
Interview with Grace E. Hill, daughter of Hattie Francis Kingsbury Hill. She gives a very brief account of some of her mother's and grandparent's histories. This interview is part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Crow Wing County during the years 1936-1939. This outreach effort sought to record personal accounts of the lives of early Crow Wing County pioneers and settlers.