Compendium of history and biography of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Minnesota, Part 139

Author: Holcombe, R. I. (Return Ira), 1845-1916; Bingham, William H
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Chicago : H. Taylor & Co.
Number of Pages: 1190

USA > Minnesota > Hennepin County > Minneapolis > Compendium of history and biography of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Minnesota > Part 139

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In 1850, as already stated, Mr. Washburn acquired exten- sive tracts of pine land in Minnesota, and a controlling in- terest in the water power at St. Anthony Falls. The Minne- apolis Mill company was incorporated in 1856, with him as one of its principal owners. He was a director and at times president of the Water Power company, and an earnest ad- vocate of and influential poteney in making the most sub- stantial improvements in the property. It was a source of great satisfaction to him that he lived to see his largest hopes in respect to this property and its expensive improve- ment fully realized.

In 1876 the governor ereeted a large flouring mill at the Falls, and after sending agents abroad to examine the most approved methods of milling in Europe, he introduced the Hungarian iron roller process, and also adopted the newly invented middling purifier. The "New Process" flour at- tained wide popularity and there was a great demand for it in all parts of the country. Two years of great prosperity for the mill and its owners followed, then, in 1878, eame the disastrous explosion and fire which totally destroyed the mill and took a toll of the lives of seventeen of its employes. This loss of life, although due to the want of no known precau- tion, was a source of great sorrow to Governor Washburn. He sympathetically aided the families of the men killed and injured, and gathered the remains of the dead into one burial place, over which he had erected a granite monument in- scribed with this sentiment from Carlyle: "Labor, wide as the earth, has its summit in Heaven," which truly repre- sents his views on the subject.

As soon as preparations could be completed the mill was rebuilt on a larger scale and with more perfect machinery than before; and another large mill was built near it with capacious store rooms for wheat. These mills were 'con- tinuously operated during his life, and by a wise provision of his will their operation has been kept up by his represen- tatives since his death.

Both as a far-seeing business man and as a patriotie citi- zen eager for the development and advancement of his state, Governor Washburn took a deep, practical and helpful interest in the expansion of the railroad facilities of Minneapolis. He became a large stockholder in the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway company and served on its board of directors. He also shared with his more actively interested brother, the late William D. Washburn, in solicitude for the construction of the line to connect this city with the Atlantie seaboard by way of Sault Ste. Marie, which was a project first suggested by the older brother, Governor Israel Washburn.

While Governor Washburn was more successful than most men in his business enterprises, he was more than most suc- eessful men eager to devote his wealth to worthy purposes.

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

Many years before his death he joined with his brothers in presenting to their native town of Livermore, Maine, a free public library. As governor of Wisconsin he was officially connected with the State University and became earnestly interested in its welfare. In recognition of his learning and ability it conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. In 1878 he showed his interest in the welfare of the institution in having erected an astronomical observatory in Madison, and when it was completed and thoroughly equipped with the most modern instruments for its purposes he pre- sented it to the University. About the same time he endowed at Edgewood, near Madison, the St. Regina Academy. His post mortem public benefactions were a public library at La Crosse and the Washburn Orphan Home in Minneapolis. For these his bequests were liberal-$50,000 for the La Crosse library and $75,000 for the Orphans' Home.

In this connection it should be stated that about the time he made his will, Governor Washburn wrote to a friend: “I long have had the thought that I ought to do something for mankind before resigning up this pleasing, anxious being." His life work wa's then drawing to its close, and this seemed to be his heart's desire. While the Astronomer scans the starry firmament to solve the stupendous problems of the universe; while the generations of youth draw from the garnered treasures of learning inspiration and strength for the work of life; while the children of poverty or misfor- tune are sheltered and trained for lives of industry aud virtue, the generations as they come and go in this growing Northwest through the ages will testify that this noble man "did something for mankind."

His impulses were elevated and liberal. In politics he was a radical Republican from the strength of his convictions, but in dealing with his political opponents he was tolerant and considerate from the nobility of his nature, and in religion he was the incarnation of liberality. His whole career strongly illustrates the possibilities of a noble manhood. He died at Eureka Springs, Arkansas, on May 13, 1882, after two or three years of failing health, and his remains were laid to rest in a cemetery in La Crosse, where he made his home . during his last years. Two married daughters still survive him: Jeannette, who is the wife of A. W. Kelsey of Phila- delphia, and Fanny, who is the wife of Charles Payson of Washington, D. C. It needs scarcely be said that his death called forth testimonials to his great ability, worth, fine busi- ness capacity and fidelity to every duty in many parts of the country, and made this city and many others in which he was well known, mourn deeply the loss of one of America's best and truest citizens.

HON. WILLIAM DREW WASHBURN.

The late Hon. William Drew Washburn of Minneapolis was essentially a man of high character-clear in perception, reso- lute in pursuit, quick and firm in decision. These qualities gave him force and leadership among men and wrought out for him a record in industrial, commercial and political life, creditable alike to himself and to the people in whose service it was made. True, he belonged to a distinguished family- one that has given to this country a United States secretary of state, two governors, four members of congress, one United States senator, one major general in the army, one

second in command in the United States navy, one surveyor general, two foreign ambassadors, two state legislators and three distinguished men who were at the same time members of congress from different states. But the subject of this writing made his own record, and without the aid of cir- cumstances, except as he commanded them to his service, and made them wings and weapons for his advancement.

Mr. Washburn was born at Livermore, Androscoggin county, Maine, on January 14, 1831. He was a son of Israel Wash- burn, a descendant of John D. Washburn who came over in the Mayflower. The senator was reared on a farm and began his education in the district schools, and early had among his teachers Hon. Timothy O. Howe, long afterwards a United States senator from Wisconsin, and Leonard Swett, later a prominent lawyer in Chicago, and the man who presented Lincoln's name for the presidency to the national Republican convention in 1860. The future founder of an imperial in- dustry in the then almost untrodden West also attended a high school in his native place, and after a preparatory course at Farmington, Maine, entered Bowdoin college in that state in the fall of 1850. He was graduated from that institution in 1854 with the degree of A. B., and received from it in 1902 that of LL. D. On completing his college course he studied law, beginning his professional studies in the office of his brother Israel and completing them for admission to the bar in that of Hon. John A. Peters of Bangor, afterward chief justice of the supreme court of Maine. On May 1, 1857, he became a resident of St. Anthony Falls, where he opened an office and practiced law two years. But having a mind that was essentially constructive in character, the conditions at the place naturally turned his energies into other channels. In the fall of 1857 he accepted a position as agent for the Min- neapolis Mill company, and at once began to improve the Falls on the west side of the river. After a service of ten years as agent of this company, and enlarging its capacity, equipment and output to great proportions, he engaged in the lumber business, building the Lincoln sawmill on the Falls, and another extensive one at Anoka. In addition he became extensively interested in the manufacture of flour, and the principal owner of the mills which were later incorporated with the Pillsbury properties, the name of the new industrial giant being the Pillsbury-Washburn Milling company, which is now known far and wide as the largest flour milling enter- prise in the world.

In these colossal undertakings Mr. Washıburn found full scope for his active and versatile mind and ample rewards for the conscientious and all-conquering energy he devoted to them. And with characteristic foresight and breadth of view, seeking to enlarge his own production and those of the whole of his section by providing for them a cheap and speedy out- let to the best markets, he became one of the most active and resourceful promoters of internal improvements and gen- eral public utilities in this part of the country. It was largely through his energy and public spirit that the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad was built, he being the president of the corporation and its inspiring and controlling genius for many years, beginning with the inception of the enterprise in 1869. He was also the most influential and serviceable potency in the projection and construction of the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railroad, which was built originally from Minneapolis to Sault Ste. Marie where it connected with the Canadian Pacific helping to form an independent competing line to New York and New England, and thus rendering a service

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

of incalculable benefit to the whole Northwest in reducing freight rates between the great business 'center and distribut- ing point at which he resided and the Atlantic coast; and by its subsequent connection with the Canadian Pacific west- ward, performing the same service for shippers to the Pacific coast.

As time passed, and one after another of his projects for the improvement of the country advanced from hope to fruition, his insatiable enterprise found new fields for its employment and opened new regions to settlement and productiveness. In 1901 he began the construction of the Bismarck, Washburn & Great Falls Railroad, which he completed to Underwood, a distance of about sixty miles. Having by this time placed his new highway of commerce on a firm basis and assured its further progress to its destined far western terminal, he sold his interests in it to the "Soo" system, and turned his attention to the promotion of other industries which his in- vasion of the region had called from the sleep of ages to wakefulness and beneficent activity, and which have them- selves spoken into being a municipal entity, named Washburn in his honor, which is now the county seat of MeLcan county, North Dakota. Where Wilton has since grown to consequence in that county, he opened a lignite coal mine that has developed from a small and dubious beginning to a daily output of some 2,000 tons of excellent coal.

Another great enterprise for the improvement and further development of the upper Mississippi river region which Mr. Washburn started and fostered and guided to its completion was the building of reservoirs at the head of the river, a work of the United States government which has contributed enormously to the extension and betterment of navigation, and the greater safety, productiveness and wealth of the region, by preventing the recurrence of the disastrous floods that had previously for years wrought great havoc. And still another production of his far-seeing practical wisdom and business acumen, and one as important and far-reaching as any other, was the construction of government dams and locks at Meeker Island in the Mississippi between Minneapolis and St. Paul, to make the river navigable to St. Anthony Falls for the largest river boats, and also utilize a water power of enormous volume, the first appropriation for the work being made through his personal efforts and influence while he was a member of the United States senate, where he was of great service to the state in many ways.

In political faith Mr. Washburn was always an earnest sincere Republican, and as such served his city and state in a number of important official positions. He was a member of the legislature in 1858 and again in 1871. In 1861 President Lincoln appointed him surveyor general of the Minnesota territorial district. In 1878, 1880 and 1882, he was elected to the United States house of representatives, serving six years continuously and reaching high rank in the body as one of its most useful and influential members. And in 1888 he was chosen to represent his state in the United State senate. In the world's most exalted legislative forum he showed great ability, industry and resourcefulness and a comprehensive knowledge of public affairs, from which his state received signal benefit in many ways, and so bore himself that all of his colleagues respected and most of them admired him.

In religious affiliation Senator Washburn wa's long zeal- ously and serviceably connected with the Universalist church, which, through his efforts and those of others like him, has become, in material resources and beneficent influence, one

of the strongest if not the strongest of all the religious or- ganizations in this part of the country. In 1901 he was elected president of its national convention, a position that he filled acceptably for two years, surrendering the trust at the close of the meeting in October, 1903, which was held in Washington, D. C., and over whose deliberations he pre- sided with distinguished ability.

He was also, from the founding of the Washburn Orphans' Home of Minnesota, located in this city, to his death, one of its trustees and president of the board. This noble institu- tion, designed and conducted as a home for needy children of the state who have lost one or both parents, was founded on a bequest of $75,000 left.for the purpose by the senator's brother, Hon. Cadwallader C. Washburn, for eight years a member of the United States house of representatives, before the Civil war, and later governor of Wisconsin. Conducted on a high plane of eleemosynary benevolence, the Home is widely known as one of the best of its kind, and as com- bining in its management enlightened public-spirited, great breadth of view and judicious business capacity.

Senator Washburn was married on April 19, 1859, to Miss Lizzie Muzzy, a daughter of Hon. Franklin Muzzy, one of Maine's eminent citizens. Nine children, six sons and three daughters, six of whom are living. Mrs. Washburn is still living, and the six children who survive their father are: William D., Jr., who is a member of the state legislature of Minnesota and has his home in this city; Edward C., also a resident of .Minneapolis, who was associated with his father in his coal industry in North Dakota, and is general manager of several western corporations; Cadwallader, who is an artist of distinction; Stanley, who is a well known journalist and came into special prominence as a war correspondent during the terrible conflict between Russia and Japan; Mrs. E. F. Baldwin, who is the wife of one of the editors of the Outlook magazine; and Mrs. Halden Wright, who resides in Maine near the old Washburn homestead, amid the scenes and associations in which the senator found great delight during his boyhood and youth.

Senator Washburn's useful life ended at "Fair Oaks," his home in Minneapolis, on Monday night, July 29, 1912, after an eight days' fight for life. He had reached the advanced age of eighty-one years, six months and fifteen days, and although he had been a suffcrer from the malady that was fatal to him for some time, until a few months before his death he appeared to be in his customary health and was vigorous for his age, which showed the strength of his con- stitution and the firmness of his fiber. He was benignant and sunny in his disposition, considerate and companionable toward all who had the privilege of association with him, and his life was full of high productiveness.

EDWARD PAYSON WELLS.

The man who knows his bent and follows it, who realizes the field of endeavor for which his faculties are best suited and seeks and adheres to that field in the use of them, is al- most certain of success, and that of a magnitude dependent only on his ability to find his opportunities for advancement or make them, even out of adverse circumstances, and em- ploy them to the best advantage. Edward Payson Wells of Minneapolis, banker, flour miller and at one time prominent

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

in public life, furnishies in his character, make-up and career, a forcible illustration of this fact.

Mr. Wells is a native of Troy, Wisconsin, where his life began on November 9, 1847. He is a son of Milton and Melissa (Smith) Wells, both born in Wayne county, New York. The father was a Congregational minister in the birth- place of his son, and able to afford good school facilities for his children, which he was well pleased to do, fully realizing his duty in the matter and diligent and liberal in the perform- ance of it.

The son began his education in the common schools of his native place and completed it at .an excellent academy in Wolcott, New York. He did not seek more advanced scholas- tic training, for from his youth he felt a strong inclination to mercantile and manufacturing pursuits, and was restless until he was free to enter upon the business career he was eager to work out for himself. Accordingly, at an early age he was glad to leave school and start in business as a produce commission merchant in Milwaukee. He continued to operate in this line until 1878, when he founded the Wells-Dickey company at Jamestown, in what was then the territory of Dakota. The company is engaged in the McKnight building in investment banking and dealing in farm mortgages and municipal, railroad and public service bonds. Mr. Wells has been its president from the time when it was founded.

In 1895 Mr. Wells turned his attention to the milling in -. dustry, and he is now president of the Russell-Miller Milling company, which operates in Minneapolis, and conducts its busi- ness on a large and very enterprising scale. In 1881 he was elected president of the James River National Bank, of James- town, North Dakota, which he served in that capacity until 1905, when he resigned, but he has ever since maintained an official relation to the institution as one of its directors. He is also one of the directors of the Northwestern National Bank of Minneapolis, President of the Electric Steel Elevator com- pany of Minneapolis and a director of the North American Telegraph company.

The business interests and engagements of Mr. Wells are numerous and various, and it can easily be inferred that they are very exacting. Nevertheless, wherever he has lived since he began his business career he has taken an active and very serviceable part in public affairs. In 1880 and 1881 he was a member of the territorial legislature of Dakota, and in 1882 and 1883 chairman of the Dakota Tax Commission. He has always given his political faith and allegiance to the Republican party, and served as chairman of the Territorial Central Committee of Dakota for that party from 1883 to 1885. At present he is senior vice president of the Civic and Commerce Association of Minneapolis, of which he was one of the organizers, and of which he has, from the start of its history, been a prominent and energetic member.

Mr. Wells also takes an earnest interest and an active part in the club and social life of his home community, holding membership in the Minneapolis, Minikahda and Lafayette clubs of this city. In religious affiliation he is a Universalist. He was married in Minneapolis on March 8, 1871, to Miss Nellie March Johnson, whose father, Joseph S. Johnson settled in Minneapolis in 1854 and became the owner of and lived on the 160 acres bounded by Nicollet avenue, Grant street, Lyndale avenue and Franklin avenue, including much of the present Loring Park and the choice residential Oakwood, Clifton avenues, Woodland and Ridgewood avenues.

MARTIN C. WILLIAMS.

Martin C. Williams, president of the Northwestern Casket company, was born . in Granville, New York, December 30, 1849, a son of John H. and Louisa (Crocker) Williams. He reached the age of fifteen in his native place and obtaining his early education in the public schools of Poultney, Ver- mout, and coming to Michigan at fifteen he took a course in a commercial college at Ann Arbor.

He worked two years at the carpenter's trade, was a hard- ware merchant from 1872 to 1874, and was for eight years in the retail furniture trade in Evart, Michigan. He then, in 1882, came to Minnesota, and for one year was a jobber in under- takers' supplies in St. Paul, in 1883, accepting the position of vice president and general manager of the Northwestern Casket company, Hon. E. M. Johnson being president. Mr. Williams succeeded to the presidency at the death of Mr. Johnson. Its business has 'constantly expanded, the reputation of its prod- ucts for excellence of material and workmanship being un- surpassed. It employs 125 workmen, eleven being salesmen, who cover territory extending to the coast.

He is also vice president and treasurer of the Minneapolis Office and School Furniture company, another important industry and holds active relationship with other enterprises including the Silverplate company at Elgin, Illinois. He is a member of the New Athletic, the St. Anthony Commercial, the Lafayette and the Auto clubs, and is a trustee and treasurer of St. Barnabas Hospital. Public affairs received his attention somewhat, every worthy undertaking finding in him a cordial, practical and energetic supporter. He is no politician, but as a good citizen is swayed by no other motive than an earnest desire to promote the general wel- fare. He was married in 1883 to Miss Carrie S. Minchin of Pontiac, Michigan. They have three children, Bessie Gillette, Roy M. and Margaret Reynolds, the son being a director in the Minneapolis Office and School Furniture company.

ALBERT FREDERICK WOODS.

Professor Albert Frederick Woods, Dean and Director of Agriculture and Forestry at the University of Minnesota, has reached the elevated position he holds in the educational system of this state and the cordial esteem of the people of Minnesota through careful use of the opportunities for training his naturally strong mentality which have come to or been sought out by him, and making every day of his time from youth tell to his advantage, improvement and ad- vancement.

Professor Woods is a native of Boone county, Illinois, born at Bonus Prairie, near Belvidere, on December 25, 1866. When he was five years old his parents moved to a farm of 500 acres at Downers Grove, in Dupage county, that state, and there he was reared to manhood and obtained a com- mon and high school education. In 1884 he moved to Nebraska, where he passed one year on the range in charge of his father's cattle. He also did farm work there, and, at the same time, pursued a course of study in the University of Nebraska, teaching a country school one winter.

The professor was graduated from the University in 1890, after which he became assistant to Dr. Bessey in the botani- cal department and also carried on post graduate work in

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

the University, from which he received the degree of A. M. in 1892. He continued to act as assistant to Dr. Bessey until February, 1893, when he was appointed assistant chief and pathologist of the division of plant pathology in the United States Department of Agriculture at Washington, D. C.

While in the service of the government Professor Woods received many marks of distinction for his ability and readi- ness in the use of it and his extensive attainments. He was much sought after as a writer of articles on special subjects connected with the work of the Department with which he was connected for government publications, en- cyclopedias and scientific and practical journals. In 1905 he was sent as a representative of the government to the assembly of agricultural experts which founded the International In- stitute of Agriculture at Rome, in which all the leading na- tions of the world were represented. During the same year he also represented the United States government at the In- ternational Botanical Congress, which was held in the city of Vienna, Austria.

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Compendium of history and biography of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Minnesota, Part 139

Author: Holcombe, R. I. (Return Ira), 1845-1916; Bingham, William H Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Chicago : H. Taylor & Co. Number of Pages: 1190

Author: Holcombe, R. I. (Return Ira), 1845-1916; Bingham, William H
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Chicago : H. Taylor & Co.
Number of Pages: 1190