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.
James Wakefield in hunting clothes with his dog. Wakefield was a member of the Minnesota State House of Representatives and Minnesota State Senate. He became the Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota and was a U. S. Congressman.
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.
Portrait photograph of J. B. Wakefield. Wakefield was a member of the Minnesota State House of Representatives and Minnesota State Senate. He became the Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota and was a U. S. Congressman.
This is a letter and contract to W.B. Sloan for ads in the "Falls Evening News" and the "Minnesota Republican" newspapers of W.A. Croffut and Edwin Clark. It is written on "Falls Evening News" letterhead.
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.
Jane Grey Swisshelm (1815-1884) was an abolitionist and advocate of women's rights. She ran the newspapers "The St. Cloud Visitor" and the "St. Cloud Democrat."
Jane Grey Swisshelm (1815-1884) was an abolitionist and advocate of women's rights. She ran the newspapers "The St. Cloud Visitor" and the "St. Cloud Democrat."
Jane Grey Swisshelm (1815-1884) was an abolitionist and advocate of women's rights. She ran the newspapers "The St. Cloud Visitor" and the "St. Cloud Democrat."
Alex Moore, one of the great founding fathers of Sauk Centre, in 1885. He constructed the first dam in Sauk Centre, Minnesota, which was destroyed in the ice breakup of 1860 but soon rebuilt using the power for the saw and grist mill.
Rev. William McKinley, 1834-1918. His obituary dated January 13, 1918 [newspaper not identified], reads: "Early Methodist Divine Dies at Home in Winona. Rev. William McKinley, dean of Minnesota Methodism, active as a lecturer, author and divine in various parts of the state since 1854, died late yesterday at his home in Winona, where he has lived since his retirement from active ministry ten years ago. Dr. McKinley was 84 years old and was known prominently throughout the Northwest as an author and preacher. In the Civil War he gained his early experience as a chaplain among the Union soldiers. His first pastorate was at Hastings, where he lived as boy on a farm. Subsequently he was pastor of Hamline Methodist Episcopal church of this city, Central Park church and of First Methodist Episcopal church of Minneapolis, besides serving as district superintendent of the St. Paul district. He was an intimate friend of Edward Eggleston, the famed minister-author, in whose church in New York city he served for a year. A native of Scotland, Rev. Mr. McKinley came to the United Sates in 1841 at the age of 7 years. The veteran Minnesota divine became well known as the able chronicler of Minnesota Methodism. In 1911 he published 'A Story of Minnesota Methodism.' Dr. Eggleston, in commenting on the work at the time of its publication, said: 'Dr. McKinley has succeeded in giving to the public an exceedingly vivid and interesting description of the early days of Minnesota, the social conditions and the leading personages in the settlements of that state.'
The book was the witnessing of one who knew and who saw the panorama of the days gone by in the Northwest.
This is what Dr. McKinley said about his landing in the state:
'When navigation opened on the Mississippi I took the first steamboat up the river and landed in Minnesota, April 13, 1855. The ice was not out of Lake Pepin so we left the boat at Read’s Landing. There was another boat at Red Wing to take the passengers to St. Paul and there were wagons to carry the women to the head of the lake. But with the 700 passengers, mostly men, there were not enough wagons to carry them and they had to walk. Rather than do this another young man and I decided to start overland to Faribault. We tramped all day across the prairie without anything to eat. Neither of us ever had done a day’s walking and before night we were used up, but stern necessity compelled us to trudge on. We saw no house nor signs of human habitation all day.'
In graphic descriptions Rev. Mr. McKinley wrote one of the most authentic accounts of early Minnesota, a book consulted frequently by historians and chroniclers.
The funeral services for the aged clergyman will be held at Winona on Tuesday."
Contributing Institution:
Minnesota Annual Conference United Methodist Church
This photograph shows St. Peter Civil War veteran William B. Stone in his uniform. He served as a sergeant in Company H of the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Sergeant Stone died in St. Louis in 1862.
This photograph shows Civil War Capt. Asgrim K. Skaro, who was killed in the battle of Nashville in 1864. Skaro served in the Second and the Ninth Minnesota Infantry Regiments. He was one of the founders of St. Peter in Nicollet County in 1853.
This is a photograph of Nicollet County Civil War veteran Andrew Anderson, who lived in Granby Township, near Swan Lake. Anderson rose to the rank of corporal in Company H of the Fourth Minnesota Regiment, serving for nearly four years.
Photographs of Minnesota Volunteers, 1861 to 1866, from the Whitney Negatives, now owned by Edward A. Bromley, Minneapolis, Minnesota. A collection of mounted Cartes-de-visite (card photographs)-size portrait photos, with a few of larger size. Not all photos listed in printed index are present.
This is a photograph of Col. William Crooks in his army uniform. Crooks was the commander of Minnesota's Sixth Regiment of Volunteer Infantry until October 28, 1864.
Jacob Dieter is photographed in his Civil War uniform. He enlisted in 1862 and served in company F of the Ninth Minnesota Regiment. His family accompanied him to Fort Ridgely, Minnesota and returned home when his unit was sent to another location. Jacob Dieter was reported missing after the battle of Guntown. He had been captured by the Confederate forces along with twenty-six other Olmsted County men. The group was transferred to Andersonville Prison. On June 22, 1864, he wrote his last letter from Andersonville Prison. He jumped off a train while being transferred to another prison, but was re-captured. He died in Salisbury Prison in 1864 at the age of thirty-eight.
This photograph shows St. Peter Civil War veteran Benjamin Rogers in his uniform. He served in Company D of the Ninth Regiment of Minnesota Volunteer Infantry.
This is a photograph of Governor Henry Swift from St. Peter, Minnesota. Swift was the third Governor of Minnesota and served from July 10, 1863 to January 11, 1864.
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 photograph shows Civil War veteran William C. Durkee in his uniform. The photograph was taken in Mankato, Minnesota. A note on the reverse states that he fought in the last battle of the Civil War at Palmetto Ranch, Texas. Durkee was a captain in the 62nd U. S. Colored Infantry Regiment, but had prior service as an enlisted man in other units.
This photograph shows St. Peter Civil War veteran Frank Y. Hoffstatt in his uniform. He rose to the rank of first lieutenant in Company E of the Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
Civil War musician Maximilian Hoefer, who was a member of the 19th United States Infantry Band, served as a Musician Second Class from October 13, 1864 until October 13, 1867. He was born in Luxembourg in 1847, and became a prominent businessman in St. Peter, MN.
This photograph, taken in St. Paul, Minnesota, shows Nicollet County Civil War veteran B. F. Sylvester in his uniform. He served as a first lieutenant in Company E of the Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment. A note on the reverse indicates that he was wounded at the battle of Chickamauga.
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.
Portrait photograph of J. A. Kiester. Kiester was an early settler-lawyer, member of the Minnesota House of Representatives and Minnesota State Senate. He was also an Episcopalian, Freemason and Faribault County historian.
Daily experiences of William E. Stork as he recounts the towns he travelled through, the mileage covered, and the expenses incurred during his tenure with the military; his enlistment of January 1865; his arrival in Knoxville, Tennesee; attempts to learn the bugle; recognition of Robert E. Lee's surrender and Abraham Lincoln's death; his duty moving refugees across the river in Decatur, Illinois, near Fletcher's Ferry and ensuing duties transporting and guarding rebel prisoners; his daily life of washing clothes in the river and picking berries; the arrival of the U.S. Colored Artillery which would relieve them of duty; mustering out of the military September 27, 1865, and details of his trip home; his visit to the Belmont Gardens and Minnehaha Falls; his ride on the War Eagle and return to Brownsville; his work on the farm making repairs before leaving for Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to study at the Commercial College; his political timeline and financial information.
Edwin Clark writes to his sister, Martha (Mattie) Clark about a possible job in Minnesota, urging her and brother John to not work so hard, overcome her depression, and offers to help sell their farm.
Ellen Clark writes from Bridgewater, New Hampshire, to husband, Edwin Clark about weaning Albert (Bertie) Clark , why she can't go to visit him in Washington, D.C., and his plans on going West.
Edwin Clark writes a letter to his sister Martha (Mattie) Clark, of his plans to get a job in Minnesota with the help of Ignatius Donnelly. He presently rooms with Joel Bassett. He will soon quit his job in Washington City (Washington, D.C.)