Compendium of history and biography of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Minnesota, Part 43

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 43

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The late John Sargent Pillsbury, three times governor of Minnesota, for nearly fifty years one of the leading business men and civic forces of Minneapolis, and for long one of the greatest potencies in progress and development in this part of the country, was a man of this character. His name still shines in large and luminous phrase from such a height in local estimation as proves it to have been a talisman of the rarest value here, and it spread its light so far as to have attracted the attention of nearly all parts of the civilized world.

To epitomize his life, character and achievements within the limits which this work allows is impossible to mortal utter- ance. The stalwart proportions of his living presence are vividly realized by the void made by his death. But less than most men intellectually his cqual and his match in business capacity does he need the voice of eulogy. The clear- ness of his purposes, the soundness of his judgment, his ample sweep of vision, his tireless activity, his indomitable will, his great achievements, his unbending uprightness, and withal his large and unostentatious benevolence, have all impressed "the very age and body of the time," making his life a force that cannot die, and continuing it in widening waves of bene- faction even though he passed away himself some twelve years ago.

Governor Pillsbury was born at Sutton, Merrimac county, New Hampshire, on July 29, 1828, and was the son of John and Susan (Wadleigh) Pillsbury, descendants of early Puritan stock in New England. The progenitor of the American branch of the family on the father's side was Joshua (Hudson says William) Pillsbury, who came from England to this country in 1640 and settled on a grant of land given him by the Mother Country near Newburyport, Massachusetts, a portion of which is still held by some of his descendants. One of the descendants of this God-fearing emigrant from the land of his fathers removed to Sutton in 1790 and founded the New Hampshire branch of the family, and since then succeeding generations of the household have won distinction in many walks of life in various sections of the country.

Mr. Pillsbury's father was a manufacturer and long potent in local and state affairs in New Hampshire. The son had no special advantages. He received a limited education at the village school, which was primitive in character and narrow in range. Early in life he entered a printing establishment to learn the trade, but soon afterward found his taste much more inclined to mercantile life and became a clerk in the store of his older brother, George A. Pillsbury, who afterward became prominent in Minneapolis, and a sketch of whom will be found in this volume.

The dawning ambition within him for a business and career of his own soon broadened, however, into a commanding force, and he quit his brother's store and formed a business partner-

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

ship with Walter Harriman, who later became governor of New Hampshire. After the dissolution of this partnership the future governor of this Northern star in the diadem of American empire removed to Concord, the capital of New Hampshire, and there engaged in a business which he con- ducted for two years.

By the end of that period his imagination had been quickened and his appetite for adventure and large exploits had been intensified by suggestions of the great opportunities for business in the great Northwest, and in 1853 he started on a prospecting tour to and through the region which had sung to his fancy in a voice so melodious and persuasive. The facilities for travel west of the Alleghanies were at that time limited and primitive, and embodied considerable hard- ship and privation. Railroads extended far in the wake of the setting sun, it is true, but they were few in number and crude in equipment and sparse in accommodations. Beyond them horseback, the stage coach and the lake and river boats were the only means of transportation. The slowness of progress and lack of comfort incident to these conditions would now be intolerable, but in that day were only necessary incidents to a long journey and the facilities available were even thought to mark a high state of advanced development in science and art and were highly commended.

Mr. Pillsbury accepted what he could command with com- placency, and even found pleasure in the prospect of his speedy arrival in the land of promise, enduring patiently and cheerfully what was really very trying. The records at hand give no account of his journey, its deprivations and discom- forts, nor do they mention any of the incidents of his trip- the changing scenes of nature which brightened his eyes, the awakening greatness of the country which quickened his pulse, or the thrilling adventures which gave spice to his experiences and made every fiber of his being throb through the daring . which possessed him.

The hardy adventurer reached St. Anthony, now Minne- apolis, in June, 1855, and at once was impressed with its great possibilities for business. He determined to make it his future home, and, in company with George F. Cross and Wood- bury Fisk, opened a hardware store. The business prospered for a time, but the failure of many "wild cat" banks in the panic of 1857 and a fire loss of $48,000 the same year not only wiped out all his accumulations, but left him with a heavy burden of debt on his shoulders. He was, however, of heroic mold in spirit and reorganized the business. He also paid the firm's debts and continued his retail hardware operations until 1875, when he founded the wholesale hardware establish- ment, which still exists and is the largest in the Northwest. From that date to his death he gave his attention also to the milling and industry and other lines of trade, in each of which he was the controlling and moving spirit. He began milling in association with his nephew, Charles A. Pillsbury, under the firm name of C. A. Pillsbury & Company, which in time became the greatest flour manufacturing enterprise in the world, and still occupies that imperial rank.

The lumber industry in this section early arrested the at- tention of Mr. Pillsbury and he soon began dealing extensively in pine lumber. Under his vigorous and progressive manage- ment the lumber business he started in a few years became one of the leaders in the line and opened the way to the great success of many other men of ability in this industry, among them Charles A. Smith. Later he became largely interested in the railroads of this state and a director of the Minneapolis

& St. Louis and "Soo' roads, and assisted vastly in their devel- opment and progress. He was also a director of several banks and of the Stock Yards company, and for all of these, too, he was an inspiration for advancement and an impregnable bul- wark of defense.

This is in brief the record of Governor Pillsbury's business achievements, and is that of a remarkable mercantile and in- dustrial career. But great as was that career it pales into insignificance, or at least shrinks into much smaller propor- tions, in an estimate of his life, in comparison with other great things he did, some of which he began even before he was fixed on a firm business basis. He began at a very early period during his residence in this state to take a most earn- est and helpful interest in the University of Minnesota. This institution was no more than a name at the time of his ar- rival here. In 1856 a building was begun, but the plans were injudicious and the panic of 1857 stopped the work of con- struction. The university was endowed by a congressional land grant, but had no other resources, and this grant was in great danger of being lost through the foreclosure of a mort- gage of $100,000 on the campus and unfinished building.

In this emergency the great man's greatness became mani- fest and the saving power of the situation. In 1863 he was appointed a regent of the University, and soon afterward was elected a member of the state senate. While in that body he had a law passed placing the affairs of the institution in charge of a board of three regents with full power to adjust its affairs according to their best judgment and as if the Uni- versity were their own. Such unlimited authority has seldom if ever elsewhere been given to a public board. But the sit- uation was critical and called for unusual and heroic measures. Great as was the governor's reputation for resourcefulness and business capacity, everybody predicted his failure here.

But his hand was skillful, his will was iron and his per- sistency considered no defeat. His determined soul laughed at impossibilities and cried "It shall be done!" He began his adjustment of the claims against the property. The lands he had to offer were inaccessible, but he sold them. With the cash thus received he compromised claims on the best terms he could. He rode thousands of miles through a new country hunting up creditors and purchasers and lands to sell to them. He traveled to the East for aid, and the burden of his correspondence in this connection was enormous. But he accomplished the mighty work he had undertaken, and at the end of four years was able to announce that the University was free from debt, with its campus and building intact and 32,000 acres of its endowment of 46,000 still in its possession without incumbrance on any part of the property.

Following this great achievement the University was reor- ganized, the neglected building was completed, a faculty was engaged, and the real work for which the institution was founded was begun. Mr. Pillsbury continued to serve as one of its regents until his death on October 18, 1901, his service in this capacity covering a period of thirty-eight years, and throughout this long period he was the financial guide and guardian of the institution. In his service of thirteen years in the state senate he was able to accomplish much in secur- ing appropriations, and he was also the man who brought about the consolidation of the land grants made directly to the University and that given for the purpose of agricultural education and experiment work.

Notwithstanding his successful work for the institution there was often a plentiful lack of dollars for current ex-

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

penses and other needs. But by this time Mr. Pillsbury had become a man of wealth, and his means were always at the disposal of this child of his fond parentage and devoted affee- tion. When the experimental farm was needed in eonncetion with the University and there was no money for the purchase of one, he advaneed the $8,500 required. The land then bought was afterward sold for $150,000 and the proceeds were used in securing the present University farm. Then, in 1889, "The Father of the University," as he has been ealled sinee his con- neetion with the institution began, quietly handed the board of regents $150,000 for the erection of a much needed seienee hall, which was ealled Pillsbury Hall.

In addition to all this he gave to the affairs of the institution his own time, strength and eapaeity freely and continuously. A very conservative estimate made by his friends is that he devoted one-fourth of his time during the thirty-eight years of his serviee as regent to the University. This means that ten years of actual time were taken from his business and other pursuits in earing for the educational institution which he saved from ruin and built up to greatness. His life-long serviees to it were recognized in 1900 by the ereetion of a life-size statue of him on the campus.

A man of such intense patriotism and devotion to his eoun- try, loeally and generally, as was Mr. Pillsbury could seareely be kept out of the politieal activities around him. In his ear- lier years, and, indeed, until late in life, when his aetivities began to abate in business and everything else exeept the Min- nesota University, the governor was in almost eonstant po- litical serviee. In 1858, before the end of the year in which he arrived at St. Anthony, he was elected to the eity couneil for six years. The eloud of the Civil war was then deepening over the country, and long before the end of his term it burst with all its fury over our unhappy land and he turned aside from every other engagement, as far as necessary, to assist in organizing the First, Seeond and Third Minnesota regiments for service in defense of the Union. A year later, when the outbreak of the Indians in this state brought about sueli a terrible condition of affairs for our people, he aided in raising a mounted company for serviee against them.

The door for his progress in eivil and politieal affairs by this time was open wide, and at the end of his term in the eity couneil of St. Anthony he was elected to the state senate, and in that high forum he continued to be one of the leading and most foreeful agencies in promoting the welfare of the people of the whole state for an almost unbroken period of thirteen years. During his tenure of the office of senator so amply did he demonstrate his broad, comprehensive and ae- eurate knowledge of publie affairs and his ability for admin- istering them for the best interests of the commonwealth that in 1875 he was nominated and eleeted governor of the state without any of the usual aeeompaniments of eandidaey and eanvass. He was re-elected in 1877 and again in 1879, and eould have been in 1881 had he not positively refused to serve again.

The period during which he was at the helm of the ship of state was a very troublesome one, and Governor Pillsbury was called upon to deal with more problems of momentous importance and diverse bearings than have confronted and tried the mettle of any other governor of this state. When he assumed the office the "grasshopper plague" was in full foree, and he had to deal with it vigorously and immediately. With eharaeteristie publie spirit and self-sacrifice he went personally to the seene of the calamity, investigated its ex-

tent and the condition of the sufferers, and from his own means furnished relief in many eases. He then returned to the state capital and urged remedial legislation with sueh foree as to secure prompt and effective means for the aid of the peo- ple afflicted and the destruction of the pests. Then eame the destruction of the state capitol and the principal insane hos- pital of the state by fire; and just before the end of his exeeu- tive control of the state's interests he was called upon to organ- ize relief for the town of New Uhm, which was destroyed by a tornado.

While he was governor Mr. Pillsbury also recommended and seeured the passage of some of the best laws we have. Among these were aets providing for a publie examiner, a state high sehool board and biennial sessions of the legislature. In addi- tion he had an unusual number of appointments to make to important publie offiees. These ineluded justiees of the su- preme and distriet eourts and many other officials on whom rested the greatest and gravest responsibilities and whose duties were of the most momentous eharaeter.

The erowning glory of his official eareer, however, was his triumph in removing from the name of Minnesota the stain of repudiation. Unwise legislation in the early fifties had led' to the issue of over two million dollars' worth of bonds for the encouragement of railroad building in the state. The panie of 1857 prevented the completion of the railroads contemplated, and so exasperated were the people by the status of affairs in this eonneetion that they voted to refuse payment of the debt and redemption of the bonds. The governor, in his first message to the legislature, urged the discharge of these obli- gations; and, although he met with indifferenee generally, and with violent opposition in some quarters, he continued to de- mand that the honor of the state be preserved. After over- eoming the most tremendous obstaeles in legislation and legal . entanglements he had the enjoyment of his greatest triumph in seeing the blot wholly and forever wiped out.

In the foregoing paragraphs the great work of Governor Pillsbury in helping to build up the educational, industrial, commercial and general business interests of this eity and state, and his personal trials and triumphs in connection with them, have been set forth with some fullness of detail. His serviees when the integrity of the Union was threatened by armed resistanee and when the savage fury of the Indians beeame destruetive, showing itself in butehery and flames, have been mentioned. His long, brilliant and most useful official eareer has been briefly outlined. But no pen ean tell of his private benevolenee, for of that there is no record, and he never intended that much of it should be known. Enough has come to light, however, to show that it must have been as imperial in magnitude as it was unostentatious in bestowal. In this exereise of his goodness he strietly obeyed the injune- tion of the Seriptures, not letting his left hand know what his right hand did. His publie benefactions are, however, well known and worthy of mention, especially for their prineely munifieenee and the elevated and noble purposes for which they were intended. His gift of $150,000 to the University has already been mentioned. In addition to this he gave to Minneapolis an endowment of $100,000 for the Home for Aged Women and Children. He also provided a home for young women working for small salaries, which he ereeted and fur- nished at a eost of $25,000, and which was named in honor of his wife the "Mahala Fisk Pillsbury Home." In addition he started a beautiful library building, put up at an outlay of $75,000, and especially intended for the use of the residents

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

of the "East Side." This was not completed at the time of his deatlı, but his heirs carried his wishes into full effect with re- gard to it, and it is known as "Pillsbury Library." These are the most conspicuous of his bountiful donations in the city of his home, but there are others of less note.

Governor Pillsbury was married on November 3, 1856, to Miss Mahala Fisk, a daughter of Captain John Fisk, who came from England in 1837 and located at Windon, Massachusetts. Four children were born of the union: Addie, who became the wife of Charles M. Webster: Susan, who married Fred B. Snyder; Sarah Belle, who is now Mrs. Edward C. Gale; and Alfred Fiske Pillsbury. Mrs. Webster and Mrs. Snyder died a number of years ago. Alfred F. Pillsbury has succeeded to many of the business interests and responsibilities of his father. He is president of the Minneapolis Union Elevator company and the St. Anthony Fall Water Power company. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Pillsbury Flour Mills 'company.

Governor Pillsbury's death occurred on October 18, 1901. For many years he was a regular attendant of the Congregational church and a liberal contributor to its support. But his bounty to churches was not limited to this sect. He gave freely to all, and was liberal as well to every public charity and aided in promoting every worthy undertaking in his com- munity in which the welfare of the people, or any consider- able part of them, was involved. The story of this great man's life may be fitly epitomized in Hamlet's description of his father:

"He was a Man. Take him for all in all, 1

We shall not look upon his like again."

JAMES CURRIER ANDREWS.

James Currier Andrews, assistant manager of the Pillsbury Flour Mills and prominently identified with the commercial interests of the city, was born at Concord, New Hampshire, October 6, 1867, the son of William G. and Lucinda J. (Cur- rier) Andrews. Thomas F. and George H. Andrews, brothers of his father, were pioneer settlers of Minneapolis and in 1900 his parents removed to this city, where the death of the father occurred three years ago. James C. Andrews attended the public schools of Boston and completed his high school course in Manchester, N. H., in 1885. Subse- quently he spent one year in Marietta College in Ohio. In 1888 he came to Minneapolis and in October of that year entered the employ of the Pillsbury company as office boy. His marked efficiency and quiet perseverance were speedily recognized by promotion and he was advanced to the ship- ping department and in 1903 was appointed traffic manager. From the position of head of this department, he was pro- moted to assistant manager of the company, and since 1909 has served in that capacity. Mr. Andrews is extensively connected with the business interests of the city and notably associated with its commercial organizations. He is president and major stockholder in the Brunswick Investment company which erected and owns one of the finest hotel buildings in the city and is president of the Andrews Hotel company, which operates the hotel. He is a director of the Metropoli- tan bank and secretary and treasurer and an original stock- holder of the Despatch Laundry company. He is chairman of the transportation committee of the chamber of commerce

and in 1912 was elected chairman of the traffic division of the Civic and Commerce association, in which organization he holds the office of second vice president. In 1889 he enlisted in Company I, Minnesota National Guard, as a pri- vate and during his several years of service in this company rose to the rank of lieutenant. He was made adjutant of the First regiment and resigned his commission in 1898. He was married in 1895 to Miss Harriet L. Blake, daughter of Edwin W. and Sarah A. Blake of Manchester, N. H. Mr. Andrews and his wife are attendants of the Trinity Baptist church. Mr. Andrews finds his favorite recreation in out-of- door sports and is an ardent fisherman and hunter. He is a member of the Minneapolis, Minikahda and Auto clubs, and a charter member of the Commercial club. His fraternal affiliations are with the Elk lodge.

HEZEKIAH S. ATWOOD.

Hezekiah S. Atwood was a pioneer who came to this locality at twenty-six and died in the new settlement in the wilderness at the early age of thirty-five, having made a mark in local history that endures. He was born in England, and as a boy, was brought by his parents to Nova Scotia, where he was reared and educated. At the age of twenty-one we find him at Southington, Connecticut, where he learned the machinist trade. In the spring of 1849 he came by boat to St. Paul and by stage to Si. Anthony, crossing the river by ferry.

Calvin Tuttle, a brother of Mrs. Atwood, and Colonel Stevens were the only residents on the West Side, and, in company with Mr. Tuttle, he built the first little saw mill on the west bank of the river. Some time afterward he built a saw mill on Minnehaha creek below the falls for Ard. Godfrey, and in 1854 went to Minnetonka and built a mill which he continued to operate until his death. He had hardwood logs cut on the upper lake and floated down the lake and creek to the mill, where he had built a dam. He made chairs, bed- steads and other furniture, his plant being equipped with latlies, a paint shop and other adjuncts. The business was beginning to expand and become profitable when the pro- prietor's death occurred March 11, 1857, the result of exposure after falling into the lake when buying logs. Obliged to remain for hours in wet clothing, severe cold and pneumonia resulted. He succeeded in having a postoffice established, and his mill afforded employment to the citizens. For some time business done at Minnetonka exceeded that of Minneapolis. Indians were plentiful at Minnetonka, often bringing their wounded braves there after battles with other tribes at Shakopee.

Mr. Atwood was married in Connecticut in 1845 to Abbie Tuttle, who survived him twenty-five years, dying in the early eighties at the age of fifty-seven. She married John Richard- son of Richfield, and their son, George Richardson, is still a resident of that town. The Atwood children were three daughters. Jennie, in 1868, married the late James Pratt. Ella is the wife of Frank Willson, of Edina, a sketch of whom appears on another page. Emma is the wife of Perry Gilmore, who died in 1913.

JAMES PRATT, who was born in Maine in 1854, eame at the age of ten to Minneapolis with his parents, Job and Mary (Chesley) Pratt, who pre-empted land in what is now St.

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HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

Louis Park. But they afterward sold this and resided in Minneapolis, where the father died about 1879, having survived his wife a number of years. Their children were Chesley, Jay, Olivia and James, Jay being the only survivor and a resident of the Soldiers' Home at Milwaukee. All three sons were Union soldiers, Chesley and James being members of Company D, Sixth Regiment, and Jay in the Cavalry. Chesley died soon after the war from results of hardship and exposure. James's health was permanently impaired by his three years of service. Olivia married Joseph Hamilton of St. Louis Park and died young, leaving one ehild, Chesley Hamilton, who was sheriff of Hennepin county, and who died suddenly in middle age.

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Compendium of history and biography of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Minnesota, Part 43

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