John Wesley North and the Minnesota Frontier

MR, QUALEY lias been professor of Am-erican history in Carleton College, Northfield, since 194S. He is the author of a study of Norwegian Settlement in the United States, which appeared in 1938, and he now has in preparation a general history of European emigration to America.

John Wesley North and the MINNESOTA FRONTIER

CARLTON C. QUALEY

THE STORY of John Wesley North is of only son. His parents were hard-working more than ordinary significance, for he at farm folk of the Methodist persuasion, orig tained prominence in four different sections inally from Connecticut. Not until he was of the United States — Minnesota, Nevada, twenty-three was North able to obtain the Tennessee, and California, In each he fol education necessary to enter a college, for lowed a pattern of optimistic promotion, he had to teach school and do other work idealistic reform, and indifferent business to pay his way through Cazenovia Semi success — a pattern not unusual on Amer nary, a Methodist preparatory school at ica's frontiers. College graduate, religious Cazenovia, New York. He entered Wesley liberal, abolitionist, lawyer, politician, leg an University at Middletown, Connecticut, islator, university founder, constitution in 1838. Its records show that he com maker, real-estate speculator, town buflder, pleted the classical course in three years, surveyor, territorial judge, iron founder, but without special distinction.'^ While colonizer, and fruitgrower — all these terms there, he seems to have broken with ortho and more could be used to describe John dox religion on the slavery issue, for cer North at one time or another during his tainly from that time he was an ardent seventy-five years of life. abolitionist and a religious liberal. North was born on January 4, 1815, at After graduation he lectured for a year Sand Lake, New York, east of Albany. He or more for the Connecticut Anti-Slavery was the youngest of six chfldren and the Society, and then went to New York to study law in the office of John Jay. He ' William Reddy, First Fifty Years of Cazenovia started law practice in Syracuse in 1845, Seminary, 1825-187.5. 563 (Cazenovia, 1877); report of and in the same year he married Emma Mrs, Mary North Shepard to Carl Weicht, in North- Bacon of his college town. She died without field News. August 16, 1929; Wesleyan University, children two years later. In 1848 North Catalogues, 1838-41, and student record books and faculty minutes for the same years, in recorder's of married Ann Hendrix Loomis of Dewitt, fice. North entered the seminary, a coeducational New York, daughter of Dr. George S. school, in 1835. Upon entering Wesleyan, where he Loomis. They had seven children, four of was a member of the Philorhetorian Society, he ga\e his home address as Preble, New York. whom were born in Minnesota.

September 1956 101 WHY DID the Norths leave New York ualty seems to have been Mrs. North's hat. State and move to Minnesota.? The reasons The stage company paid for a new one, and can be inferred from their letters, now she chose a creation of green satin with a owned by the Henry E. Huntington Li pink lining. After a week's stay at Galena, brary in San Marino, California, as well as again waiting for their goods, the travelers from other sources of information, but no boarded the steamer "Dr. Franklin" bound direct statement about their motives has for St. Paul. The trip upriver seems to have been found.^ It may be that North's law been an exhilarating one. practice at Syracuse was inadequate for In a letter home, sent from St. Anthony the standard of living he and his wife Falls on November 6, 1849, Mrs. North told wished to maintain. Furthermore, his health of the journey from Galena and waxed was poor to the point of invalidism, and the hflarious about the trip from St. Paul to St. hope of rebuilding it certainly was a major Anthony Fafls in a "Paper and Books ped- reason for choosing to go to St. Anthony dlar's cart." In the bustling little vfllage of Falls, his first place of residence in the St. Anthony Falls the Norths could not find West. The exact nature of his difficulty is a house, but they were not discouraged. not clear, but the symptoms would seem to "We may have to build, but that is noth indicate intestinal distress and fatigue, ing here," they declared. "Why, they al caused perhaps by nervous strain. His atti most bufld a house entire, within a day." tude toward slavery also may have influ Mrs. North promptly fell in love with Min enced him to seek a home outside up-State nesota which, she told her parents, might New York, which was a hotbed of aboli be "too new for you, but just the place for tionism. Evidence that he was in the thick us.'' The only place she found where she of the controversy is to be found in a group could write was a "seven by nine school of letters to Gerrit Smith of Peterboro, a room of Miss [Elizabeth] Backus,'' for their well-known philanthropist and reformer, in temporary lodgings were too crowded, what which North implies that they quarreled with their landlord's five children and vari because he supported Van Buren at a Free ous other lodgers in a story and a half Soil convention in Buffalo in 1848.^ house. North made an exploratory trip to Min On November 8 Mrs. North wrote to her nesota early in 1849, and he returned to brothers, giving further detafls: "This is a New York convinced of the great possibfl very pleasant little vfllage, and has grown ities of the new region. The following au amazingly since Mr. North was here be tumn he and his wife departed from Buffalo fore. There are three islands in the river on the steamer "Canada'' for Detroit, trav here. The middle one and largest contains eling thence by "cars" to New Buffalo, about 100 acres, is just above the fafls, and Michigan, and on the steamer "Sam Ward" to Chicago. There they stayed at the Amer ican Temperance House while waiting for " Exclusive permission to use the Minnesota items in the North Papers has been granted to the writer their goods. They viewed Henry "Lewis' by the Huntington Library and by Miss Anne L. Panorama of the Upper Mississippi" and Shepard of Palmdale, California, North's granddaugh were delighted and encouraged by it. ter. To a, large extent, the present study is based on this collection of almost five hundred letters, most of From Chicago they went to Galena, trav which were written by John and Ann North to mem eling only twenty-seven miles westward by bers of the Loomis family in Dewitt. For a full de scription of the North Papers, which cover the years rail and taking a stage the remainder of the from 1849 to 1904, see an article by Haydee Noya in distance. The trip was marred by an acci the Huntington Library Quarterly, 10:328-331 (May, dent two miles east of Galena, where 1947). the stage overturned. The Norths were ' North to Smith, .January 6, 17, February 2, Au gust 18, 1849, North Papers, On Smith, see the Dic scratched and bruised, but the chief cas tionary of American Biograptiy, 17:270.

102 MINNESOTA History ANN Loomis North, 1856 JOHN Wesley North, 1856 covered with forest. It is a delightful spot, ter — his first note since arriving in Minne and near one end of this, Mr. [Franklin] sota— John North reported on the fine Steele, one of the wealthiest men here, is opportunities to invest in lands. "I like this fixing a little house for us." This was a log country more and more," he declared. "I cabin with two rooms and a garret. When would not go back to Syracuse on any ac "chinked up," boarded, and plastered it count." should prove adequate, Mrs. North thought. The letters written during the first win To reach the island, the Norths had to go ter in Minnesota indicate that North's through a sawmill and walk along a dam health improved steadily, as he was buoyed or on logs, and in winter they crossed the up by his optimism. "I think he is doing river on the ice. pretty well for a sick man," his wife re On November 19 the newcomers were marked. "But he no longer calls himself an stifl living in their temporary lodging, al invalid." Later she reported that "Mr. though they were clearly impatient to move North's business prospects, I think, are into the island house. Diet seems to have good. There is only one other Lawyer in been limited, for Mrs. North wished for town, and he is young, and rather light. apples, and said she had had no eggs, mflk, The people afl seem very kindly disposed or cream. She continued to lack the latter toward us and we have already, I think, through the winter. Finafly, on November some warm friends." * 25, the Norths were able to report to the Loomis famfly that they were hving in THE COST of the move from Syracuse to their Nicollet Island cabin. The house was St. Anthony Falls, including fares, freight, unfinished, but at least they were alone. and expenses en route, came to $206.30, ac Their belongings, including a piano, had cording to an inventory of expenses and in come through fairly well and were now in come which North sent to Dr. Loomis on the house. In a postscript to his wife's let- December 30, 1849. Household furnishings, food, and other expenses involved in get ' Mrs. North to her parents, December 16, ting established totaled $176.67. "I have 1849, North Papers.

September 1956 103 done business since my arrival in the a- by buying lots for a man in Syracuse who mount of $15.00," he added. On January fafled to advance the purchase price. Be 6, 1850, a second report on North's eco lieving that his client would cover it. North nomic affairs was addressed to his father- had given a draft for the lots, payable on in-law, who clearly had helped to finance demand at a Syracuse bank. After several the trip west. North told of investing in lots months of anxious correspondence. Dr. at St. Anthony Falls and in farm land lo Loomis covered the draft, and North wrote: cated between that place and St. Paul, with "You may rest assured I shall follow your the hope of selling before payment came counsel and not get myself into another due. With an office in the post-office build such scrape."" This chastening experience ing, he expected his law business to pick does not seem to have lessened his enthu up as soon as spring came and river navi siasm, however. gation opened, and anticipated obtaining that of the sawmill at the Falls of St. An MRS. NORTH reported in lively fashion thony, in which Steele had an interest. A on her weekly doings, which included catch few days later the Norths took a sleigh ride ing twenty-two mice in her island home. to Fort Snelling and called on Steele, who She wrote of attending reading and sewing was sutler at the fort and lived in fine style. circles, of the activities of a library associa Later in January, Mrs. North reported tion, of going to church and hearing the that her husband had purchased two blocks Reverend Edward D. Neill preach one Sun of ten lots each in St. Anthony Falls as a day, of Miss Backus' school, and of house speculation, and also a lot with a fufl view hold problems. Soon she was describing the of the falls. She wrote: "We are fufl of breakup of the river ice as the spring fresh hope." ^ ets made a "sublime spectacle" of the falls To explain his business ventures, espe and the rapids, which were visible from the cially without capital. North wrote Dr. Norths' house at the upper end of Nicollet Loomis on January 28. He gave various Island. A report of a steamer on Lake reasons for going ahead: property was ris Pepin, which remained ice-bound long after ing rapidly in value; at the time he could the rest of the river was open, gave the get good terms from Ard Godfrey and Norths a feeling of release from the win ter's imprisonment. Steele, who owned the lots he was purchas ing; an indebtedness to the mill company Their loyalty to St. Anthony Falls was might help bring him its legal business; It- great, and on May 8 Mrs. North wrote her could make the purchases without a down parents: "We think St. Anthony is bound payment before the opening of navigation; to be the town of the Territory. St. Paul and he had five years to pay at seven per is doomed." Temperatures in the eighties cent interest on condition that a buflding and nineties in May, 1850, not to speak of be constructed on each lot. He again wrote countless mosquitoes, did not diminish her Loomis on February 2, this time about a enthusiasm. By late spring a newly con forty-acre farm he had acquired in the dis structed steamboat, the "Governor Ram trict between St. Anthony and St. Paul. sey," was plying between St. Anthony and Although he had only thirty-five dollars upriver points. In letters of June 9 and 10, left of the money he had taken west with Mrs. North reported to her parents about him, he was planning to build an office on an excursion on this boat to Sauk Rapids one of his lots. and return. "O it was delightful!" she ex- On March 3 North reported increased law business and a start on the foundation ° Mrs. North to her parents, January 13, 27, 1850, and appendix to letter of December 30, 1849, North of a new house. Several letters written in Papers. March relate to an embarrassment caused "North to Loomis, May 30, 1850, North Papers.

104 MINNESOTA History claimed. On the return trip ninety Chip Loomis in a letter of July 15. "This may pewa warriors, in charge of an army officer be so," he continued, "but I had rather and led by Chief Hole-in-the-Day, were have an untrammeled conscience, than the aboard. They were en route to a conference favor of dough-faces; and the luxury of with their traditional enemies, the Sioux, expressing my abhorrence of political base arranged by Governor Alexander Ramsey ness, is greater than my wish for office. to prevent further warfare between these There is a great battle yet to be fought tribes. The Indians were painted from head before our country is redeemed." to foot, mostly in red, some in black, one afl in white. The chiefs wore red, green, and NORTH'S interest in local politics led him black feathers, and a few had blankets. As to become a candidate for representative they approached St. Anthony, the Indians in the territorial legislature, and he was became excited over fear of Sioux attack, elected to that body from St. Anthony but all went well. Falls on September 2, 1850. On the next In a letter of June 17, 1850, to his father- day, obviously elated over his decisive vic in-law, North described his holdings in St. tory by a vote of 121 to 55, North wrote Anthony Falls. With the aid of a sketch his father-in-law, saying he had won against map, he located his blocks — number 17 at the combined opposition of the fur com Third Street and Central Avenue, and pany, the mifl company, and the French, number 24 at Seventh Avenue between and adding that he had incurred Franklin Third and Fourth Streets. He also said he Steele's displeasure by opposing the elec was building a house — a two-story struc tion of his brother-in-law, Henry H. Sibley, ture, twenty-four by thirty-four feet, with as territorial delegate in Congress. The leg a ceflar and a cistern. This project proved islature. North reported, was to meet the to be far more expensive than anticipated, first Monday in January, 1851; it could sit but it resulted in one of the better homes for ninety days, and the pay was three dol in St. Anthony Falls. A long visit by Mrs. lars per day. In anticipation of being away North's grandmother helped her through from his office, the newly elected represent her first year in the new community. Dr. ative formed a partnership with Isaac At Loomis' brother Gorton and his wife also water, a friend from his New York days paid the Norths a visit that was both pleas and a Yale graduate who spoke French ant and helpful, for North disposed of some fluently. of his lots in St. Anthony Falls to Gorton A postscript that North added to a let Loomis. ter his wife had written to her parents on The 1850 Fourth of July celebration at September 11 informed them that she had St. Anthony was described by Mrs. North given birth to her first baby, a son. He was, in a letter written to her parents on July 7. however, a very frafl child, and although Edmund Rice presided, and North read the there was some hope of saving him, on Declaration of Independence on a program September 17 North reported his death. that was followed by a dinner, toasts, and The Norths rebounded bravely from this an excursion on the "Governor Ramsey." blow. North seems to have become actively inter On October 29, 1850, Mrs. North proudly ested in politics, and was outspoken in his told her parents that the distinguished convictions. He was indignant about the Swedish author, Fredrika Bremer, who was Compromise of 1850 and acid in his com visiting Minnesota, "spent last night in ments on "dough-facism." "I was informed town, and what is more, came on this is the other day that the free expression of land, and into our house and played on my my opinion was tending to injure my pop piano. Won't that be worth tefling of? ularity among the people here," he told Dr. But reafly, we had a pleasant though short

September 1956 105 interview with her," Mrs. North continued. some help to the struggling Norths.' That "She called with Governor Ramsey and such help came is indicated in Mrs. North's Lady. Miss Bremer was afraid to cross the letter of February 9, 1851, giving thanks logs, and Mr. North paddled her over in a for a large remittance. canoe. She is quite short, round-shouldered, has light hair and eyes, a large nose which IN LETTERS to the Loomis family. North was quite red as well as her eyelids." Ac and his wife described his very active cording to Mrs. North, Miss Bremer played career as a member of the second Minne a Swedish air on the piano as "a tribute to sota territorial legislature. They indicate the God of the Rivers." The visitor refused that North immediately became embroiled to sing, however, saying that she sang only in factional quarreling about the location to chfldren and to God, both uncritical. of the capitol, the penitentiary, and the She seemed much pleased with the people university, as well as the granting of the she met, and she found the masses more public printing to James M. Goodhue, edi intelligent than she had expected. tor of the Minnesota Pioneer, whom North As winter set in, the Norths became in despised. Mentioned also is a rearguard creasingly impatient to get into their new fight with Franklin Steele, who blamed the home. In a letter written at intervals from local representatives for failing to get the November 19 to 29, they told their parents capitol for St. Anthony Falls. about household and other matters, and On February 9, 1851, North wrote Dr. North enclosed a detafled statement of his Loomis that "affairs at the Legislature have financial affairs. It revealed that the house so far gone badly." North believed that had cost to date $1,731.27, on which he had there had been a corrupt bargain between paid $1,465.50, leaving a balance of $264.17. St. Paul and Stillwater about locating the This, plus $680.00 owed to other creditors, capitol and the penitentiary, and that both made an indebtedness of $944.77. Against Sibley and Ramsey were in on the deal. As this. North listed notes and other expecta chairman of the school committee of the tions to the amount of $840.00. He said he House, he could report, however, that "We had cleared about a thousand dollars in now have a bill in progress for a charter real-estate speculations, and he valued his for a University at this place [St. Anthony]. house and lot at twenty-five hundred dol There is a good prospect for its success." lars, his farm at six hundred dollars, and In a continuation of the same letter, dated his law library, which was recently shipped February 10 from St. Paul, North wrote: from Syracuse, at six hundred doflars. Some "There is a great want of moral principle income was received from the Atwaters, among the members. Yet I think I shafl who were boarding with the Norths until get through a University charter which they could find quarters. will locate the University at our place. This At long last, in December the Norths would be a grand thing for us in the future moved from Nicollet Island to their new though it can not amount to much at pres though not entirely finished house in St. ent." He also reported that as chairman of Anthony. On the eve of his period of serv the judiciary committee he had his hands ice in the territorial legislature, John North full with a revision of the laws of the ter felt that he had done rather well during ritory. the short time he had lived in Minnesota. Writing from St. Anthony Falls on March In this opinion of himself he had the sup 9, while at home with a toothache and a port of Mrs. North's grandmother, Mrs. swollen jaw. North remarked to his father- Anne Lewis, who lived with the Norths during the winter and wrote to her daugh 'Mrs, North to her parents, December 8, 1850; Mrs, Lewis to Mrs, Loomis, December 22, 1850, North ter in Dewitt that the Loomises should give Papers,

106 MINNESOTA History in-law that he was glad to be away from cate the Institution at our place and we the legislature for a time. "You wfll readfly determined to improve it. To make the infer from this that I act with the minority matter sure I went first to the Governor in the Legislature," he commented. "My and leading men of his faction, who all felt old attachments for a 'minority' have not that they had done St. Anthony wrong in left me and I had much rather stand with depriving her of any of the public build a minority that has some show of honesty ings, and they could not do otherwise than and regard for right, than with a majority agree to go for the measure. I proposed a that discard all pretension to honesty, and bfll in exact accordance with the Gover are only governed by the present hope of nor's suggestions but his followers found spoils." fault with it, and we took a transcript from North went on to explain that "there has the charter of the Wisconsin University, been a nefarious combination of political and added to it the preparatory depart elements during the present session of the ment, and it carried. The Governor pre Legislature which has controlled almost tends to think that we have got what is all its legislation. The Governor [Ramsey] better than either the Capitol or the Peni who is a Whig, and Mr. Sibley the Delegate tentiary. Our citizens with their present to Congress who is a professed Democrat views would hardly take the Penitentiary find it to their personal interest to act to as a gift, and they are fully satisfied with gether. The Whigs are a minority in the their Representatives." Territory and the Fur Company which is For the faflure of his attempt to make under Sibley's control, and has no politics St. Anthony Falls the county seat of Hen but its own interests, holds the balance of nepin County, North blamed Franklin power. To secure their ends in the present Steele. In another report to Dr. Loomis, legislature these elements united. This is dated Aprfl 7, 1851, North wrote: "You what located the Capitol at St. Paul and will see from the last Democrat April 1st the Penitentiary at Stillwater. This is what that I, with others, resigned my seat a day gave the public printing to the Pioneer and or two before the close of the session. The broke down the Whig paper that had too reason of this was that the majority in the much virtue to countenance the coalition.^ House were determined to pass a most iniq Mr. Steele is with the dominant party, and uitous apportionment bill, and refused to has done nothing to help us in any effort transact any other business until that bill to do anything for our Village this winter." was passed." By resigning, the group hoped North then turned to his own activities to prevent a quorum, but the bill was on behalf of the university: "Immediately passed anyhow, and the governor signed after the Capitol question was settled and it." the Penitentiary was located, I commenced At this time North shifted his political laboring for a University," he reported. allegiance to the Democratic party, which "The Governor had recommended in his he felt represented the only hope of suc message that Congress be memorialized for cessfully resisting a Whig coalition, and he a grant of 100,000 acres of land to endow saw no alternative but to go along with the a University. But no one had thought of Democrats. This change of political alle getting such an institution chartered at giance brought him some obloquy and pro this time. There was an opportunity to lo- voked the editor of the St. Anthony Ex press to devote a column and a half of his ' The Whig paper probably was the Chronicle and issue for October 11, 1851, to sarcastic ar Register. raignment of North. After tracing his sub ° The "Act for the Apportionment of Representa ject's political history back to his Wesleyan tion in the Territory" appears in Minnesota Terri tory. Session Laws, 1851. p. 15. days, the editor claimed that the election

Se-ptem-ber 1956 107 of 1848, in which Van Buren and the Free DURING the summer of 1851, North's law Sofl ticket were defeated, had left North partnership with Atwater began to show stranded. "Such was the political erup signs of strain, and on August 19 he re tion, which, from the fiery heterogeneous ported its dissolution to Dr. Loomis. North mass which the party composed belched sought election as district attorney, but forth John W. North, a burning stalagmite, dropped his campaign when the prospects and left him suspended between heaven and seemed poor. Business declined as winter earth," declared the editor. "Wandering set in, and worries about his debts re like an ignis fatuus, a year later found him curred. In spite of financial difficulties, he in Minnesota," where he aligned himself gave generously to various charities, ex with the Democrats, whose principles he plaining to Dr. Loomis in a letter of Feb had earlier opposed. "The very act by ruary 22, 1852, "that people suppose I am which he became a pretended Democrat well off, and [I] must be considered mean was treasonable, and struck a deadly blow if I am not liberal." at the interests of the party," in the opin On March 3, 1852, North reported the ion of the editor, who was himself an ar birth of a daughter, with Dr. John H. Mur dent Democrat and was indignant that true phy, who used chloroform in delivering the Democrats were set aside for "such men." child, in attendance. This time the baby Although the journalist's fulminations are survived and thrived. She was named understandable. North's motives are clear. Emma Bacon, for North's first wife. Jumping party lines, then as now, involved North went East in the summer of 1852, penalties. North seems to have ignored such presumably to arrange for credits. The fafl political attacks, however. and the succeeding winter seem to have That he continued his interest in the been occupied with prolonged litigation in proposed university is indicated by a state which he represented purchasers of lots in ment in a letter of August 5, 1851, to Dr. St. Anthony Falls who were seeking clear Loomis: "We set the stakes yesterday for title from the mill company. Again his an the new University building, i.e. Prepara tagonist was Steele, and he gained little by tory Department. It will front on Third these efforts. Street, and will be within 25 rods of my On May 5, 1852, North sent another of block." his accountings to his father-in-law. With

ST. ANTHONY and the falls in North's day

108 MINNESOTA History an indebtedness of about two thousand dol Washington, and that he planned to take lars, he estimated his real-estate holdings five thousand dollars worth of each com to be worth eighty-one hundred doflars. pany's stock. He was treasurer and a direc Even allowing for over-estimates on the tor of one company that was to build a real estate, he figured he was worth no less line from St. Paul to the Iowa border. This than five thousand doflars. He thanked Dr. was the precursor of what was later to be Loomis for his generosity, without which he known as the Minneapolis and Cedar Val could not have accumulated so much prop ley Railroad. How much North actuafly erty. Later in the same month. North again invested in these ventures cannot be deter went East, and he returned late in June mined, but certainly his indebtedness wors with replenished funds, presumably ob ened, and by July, 1854, he seems to have tained from Syracuse friends. On June 26, been facing a crisis. 1853, he reported the payment of a mort "I dislike to give up my business for I gage and the loan of funds entrusted to am so deeply in debt that I need the avafls him, and said that five per cent per month of it; and yet I fear that I shafl be obliged could be had for loan money. Advertise to relinquish it," wrote North to Dr. ments of real estate for sale by North ap Loomis on July 8, 1854. "I must try to peared regularly in the St. Anthony Ex make a living by some out door employ press starting with the issue of November ment," he continued, "and I am shaping 22, 1851. things that way as fast as I can. Had I the The birth two days previously of a son means to operate in real estate it would be to be named George Loomis was reported the easiest and quickest way of making by North in a letter of September 8, 1853, money." North's health failed as his wor to Loomis. On the same date North ac ries piled up, and on July 9 Mrs. North re knowledged receipt of a gift of a wagon, ported that her husband had resorted to shipped from Syracuse. Later he acquired "hydropathy." His financial state seems to a horse, and in his letters he mentioned ex have alarmed Dr. Loomis, for on August cursions into the countryside. His sister 20 North assured him that "My indebted Clara was living with the family, and she ness is not at all alarming or embarassing became its mainstay through many years to me though it amounts to more than to come. In the fall of 1853, business pros $2000, besides the mortgage of $1000 & pects seemed good to North, what with rafl interest that you hold against me. You will connections completed between the East be surprised that I owe so much & well you and Galena and prospects of railroad con may be. But I wfll now tell you where some struction up the river as well. Law business of it has accrued." remained good through the winter of 1853— North explained that he found it neces 54. On February 5, 1854, North reported sary to make expensive improvements on to Loomis that a suspension bridge, financed his farm and his town property. He then by a joint stock company, was to be built added that other "expenses haVe been heavy across the river at St. Anthony. He said he the past year," including as they did "$100 had invested thirteen hundred dollars in for the sake of having a good paper here" this joint stock project, although he prob and "$50 & a good deal of hard work to ably merely pledged this amount. get a Temperance Free sofl paper." As a "The present is a great day for specula member of the legislature. North had tion in our Territory," commented North. worked for a Maine liquor law, as both he Two railroad companies had been organ and his wife were ardent supporters of the ized, and Henry M. Rice was attempting temperance cause. Such expenses notwith to obtain land grants for them. North said standing. North believed that "at a safe he received weekly letters from Rice in cash estimate I am worth at least $8000

September 1956 109 over and above my indebtedness & I think lieve that St. Anthony Falls would decline, within a year or two it will turn me $10,000 but he expressed the hope that he could clear of debt." He declared that "My debts sell out on the crest of the boom. He of have not embarassed me as my credit is so fered to settle his debt to Dr. Loomis, good that when I want a thousand dollars which amounted to a thousand doflars plus or even $2000 I can get it on my own note." three years interest, by turning over eighty Because of fll health, said North, he had acres of marshland. He concluded: "I am made a wdll in favor of his wife. By the fall trying to get out of my profession, and if of 1854 he was endeavoring to extricate I can do so, mean to live by out door busi himself from his financial difficulties by ness." disposing of his holdings, but money was Prospects in the same area are the sub tight, and he was unable to improve his ject of comment by Mrs. North in a letter situation. written to her parents on January 26, 1855. "Mr. North came home from Cannon River IT WAS under these circumstances that Saturday very well but so fatigued, and the greener pastures of the Cannon River very much chilled," she reported. She added Vafley, with their entrancing prospects of that "He has since sold out his practice of townsite speculation, began to beckon to law" to David A. Secombe, who became North. His first excursion to the area is de North's junior partner after the break with scribed in a letter to Dr. Loomis w^ritten Atwater. She relates that North "of course on January 4, 1855, North's fortieth birth dissolved the partnership," since he "in day. After explaining that "The Cannon tends to direct his attention more to deal River empties into the Mississippi near Red ing in real estate." Wing Village just above Lake Pepin," he She then continues: "He purchased an went on to explain that "The whole valley interest in the town of Faribault (pro of this river is beautiful and very fertile, nounced Farribo) on the Cannon River, and is being settled very rapidly — more so and numbers are now making preparation than any portion of the Territory I have to remove there. The town is to be sur seen. The part I visited is on the route to veyed very soon, and many already want to Iowa and new villages are springing up all purchase lots. He bought one quarter of along the route. It is forty or fifty miles the town for $1000—^ Sibley owns one quar South of this and the seasons are said to ter, and [Alexander] Faribault one quarter be two weeks earlier. The crab-apple and — Mr. Porter Nutting bought the other, wild plum grow there in great abundance, and pays Mr. North $200 to share with him and furnish fruit to the settlers. The oppor in the arrangement he has made with the tunities to make money there are now bet others for selling lots, which is, they allow ter than here, and if I could sell all my him some lots to give away, and give him property here except my block and house I every third lot for selling. They are to give would spend the next summer and perhaps Mr. North power of Attorney to sell lots settle permanently in that vicinity." for them, and $5 for every deed he makes North predicted that "There are going out. He talks of moving down there. Per to be flourishing Towns and cities along haps when you come to see us next year the line of travel between the Falls and you wfll find us down there." Dubuque and one of these days there wifl By August 7, 1855, Mrs. North could re be a Rail Road, and then they wfll shoot port to her grandmother that "Mr. North ahead like the interior Towns and cities of has sold his interest in Faribault, to E. P. New York and other States. There are for Mifls for $1000. He stifl retains his agency tunes in those new Towns, especially those there but he wifl try to get that transferred that will be County seats." He did not be to him [Mr. Mills]; and if he should do so,

110 MINNESOTA History he is to allow Mr. North half the avails of diminish as I lose my best friends here." it. So now I think if we leave here at all, Many of the famfly's close friends had we shall go to Alexander," near Northfield. moved away, and North's activities were She goes on to relate that North "got back now almost entirely in the Cannon River from Cannon River Saturday night. He Valley. found his business in better condition than To try to secure mill machinery before he had feared." the close of navigation, North went to Chi On September 16, 1855, another boy was cago in October. Mrs. North's letters in born to the Norths, this one to be named creasingly expressed the hope that the John Greenleaf. Along with his report of family might be reunited soon. On Decem the new addition to the family. North en ber 9 she wrote her parents that she hoped closed an accounting of his investment on to move to the Cannon River Valley within the Cannon River, presumably at North- three weeks, and she suggested that letters field, where he buflt a mill which cost a be directed to Waterford, Dakota County, thousand dollars more than he had ex the nearest post office. In the same letter pected. He promised to convey a half in occurs the first use of the name "North- terest in the project either to Dr. Loomis field" to identify the place where the or to his son, George, who had joined the Norths were settling.^" The St. Anthony North family in Minnesota. Land values Falls home had been rented for two years were rising at the millsite, according to and four months. Colder weather had set North, who expressed a desire to get a run in, and on December 30, 1855, the temper of stones operating as well as a sawmill. ature had dropped under forty degrees He reported that he was contracting for below zero. North was selling everything construction of a gristmill, to be erected by possible to get cash, even though prices were December 1, and that he expected to have expected to rise. He had sold his law li brary to Secombe, his former partner, for a sawmill running by November 1, in order four hundred dollars cash. In her letter of to take advantage of the big demand for Sunday, December 30, Mrs. North said the lumber. "I never thought half as well of family planned to move to Northfield on our enterprises as now; it looks more prom the following Tuesday. Later, North esti ising every day," he concluded. mated that he had made twenty trips to The Loomises were obviously not too the Cannon River country before the final sure of the wisdom of the family's removal removal. to the Cannon River Valley. In a letter of September 23, 1855, Mrs. North wrote to them: "Mother asks why I desire to go to NORTH wrote to Dr. Loomis for the first Cannon River to live. You know, to a time from Northfield on January 6, 1856: woman like me the place of one's residence "We are comfortably settled in our new matters little, so she can be with her own home which you may have learned before family, and have the convenience of a this bears the euphonious cognomen of home. I find my attachments to this place Northfield," he reported. "We arrived here last Thursday as cold a day as the coldest ^° Although direct proof is lacking, it seems evident that Northfield is named for John North. On April 5, we had last winter. The snow had filled the 1880, he wrote: "I did not at first contemplate start track so that it took us a day and a half ing a town, much less a city; I only thought of a mill. to come through with a four horse team. There was no road running through the place, but I got one laid out from Waterford, crossing the river We had a covered lumber sleigh & put in just below the mills at Northfield. I then thought of a feather bed and comfortables for the chil a post office, schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, store, dren and a little rocking chair for Ann and townsite, and finally a railroad, and by energetic work got them all." This letter is quoted in Edward D. the baby and we afl wrapped up warm and Neill, History of Rice County, 397 (Minneapolis, 1882). got through wefl and quite comfortably.

September 1956 111 George [Loomis] has done wonders during from the house to the river handsomely." ^^ the few days that I have been gone, get In the spring of 1856 the Norths reported ting the house ready for us so that we could to the Loomis family that the mills were in make ourselves comfortable at once though full operation, but that expenses were still the temperature stood that morning at 25'' ahead of income. "But do not think for a below zero. Two weeks ago the temperature moment that my courage falters," wrote was at 44° below zero at St. Paul by a spirit North to Dr. Loomis on March 16. "The thermometer. We are having the coldest prospects of our place are growing brighter winter I have ever seen in the Territory. every day." New stores, shops, and houses But we do not freeze and we enjoy our were being buflt, and in addition a railroad selves finely." Despite the cold. North said, that would pass through Northfield was "Our mill keeps going night and day being chartered. On May 15, Mrs. North through the coldest of the weather; and we reported: "We now have a Post-Office here, keep a gang of hands at work putting in the so that letters to us may be directed to gearing for our circular saw which we hope Northfield, Rice Co., Minn." The new house to have in operation in the course of the was reaching completion by being plastered week." within and clapboarded and painted white North told his father-in-law that "The outside. On Wednesday nights there were day before I left St. Anthony I sold 80 acres lyceum meetings and debates in the new of land near the town for $2000, and though community.^^ By the summer of 1856 the I got less than $200 in cash from the pur Norths had two cows, forty turkeys, and chasers, at the time I owed one of them some chickens, and they seemed to be liv $500 which applied as cash and I took a ing well. On November 16, Mrs. North mortgage for the balance which I turned proudly reported to her parents that "A over in payment of another $1000 of bor week ago last Friday, our school-house was rowed money & took the cash for the bal dedicated, and I assure you, we had a good ance of the mortgage; so that it turned out time." as good as the money for me all round." From this point the North fortunes took North had need of cash, for, he wrote, "Our a turn upward. The income from the mills expenses this fall have been enormous and increased, and North was able to borrow I have had to be always ready with the more money. Instead of proceeding con money to keep things going; and our mov servatively, however, he plunged into more ing cost me over $200; but things look construction, including a block of stores promising here and I have no doubt we and an inn, the American House, later to shall do well. The prospect has never been serve as Carleton College's first building. brighter than at present." A list of expenses In addition to his investments in North- to date in Northfield, amounting to $4,365, field, he became active in promoting the not counting his own time, was enclosed Minneapolis and Cedar Valley Raflroad with North's letter of January 6. Company, which he served for a time as On January 13, Mrs. North found time president. to describe her new home to her parents. It was eighteen by thirty feet, two stories AS HEAD of the Minneapolis and Cedar high, with a lean-to, she said. The parti Valley road. North became involved in the tions were stifl of unbleached sheeting, and notorious attempt to finance raflroad con rousing fires had to be maintained to keep struction to and in Minnesota in 1857 and out the intense cold. "Our house fronts the 1858. The panic of 1857 made it impossible west," she explained, "and we have a fine view of the river, mill, and the woods on " The house was located on North Division Street. the opposite side. The ground descends "North was the first president of the lyceum.

112 MINNESOTA History THE American House at Northfield

for Minnesota railroad companies to raise of the presidency of the railroad, and Gen money for preliminary surveys and con eral James Shields was elected in his place. struction which would qualify them for In a letter of June 19 reporting this devel federal loans. In an attempt to provide opment to Dr. Loomis he wrote: "This them with funds, the legislature of 1858 takes a great load off my shoulders and is passed the so-cafled "Five Million Loan really a great relief." But it also deprived Bifl," which authorized the state to issue him of an important salary. bonds up to that amount for four raflroad North's heavy investments in Northfield corporations, including that headed by necessitated extensive loans, and the bur North.'^^ He himself was opposed to such den of interest charges on them brought his an ambitious scheme, and voted against it affairs to a crisis in 1859. In his letter of in the referendum, but when it was adopted June 19 he told Dr. Loomis that "My finan his board of directors felt that the Minne cial affairs press hard upon me & I may apolis and Cedar Valley road should take find it difficult to get along without a sal advantage of the state offer. North there ary; but I will trust providence, and hope fore became active in marketing the state for success. Mr. [Charles] Goodsell has been bonds which were to finance the new con kind & stands by me like a friend. I owe struction, but despite a trip for this pur him now near $10,000. . . . But other debts pose to New York, where he co-operated press hard and I must give my energies to with Rice, the bonds could not be sold and the ways and means. I have some hope of the whole project broke up.^* selling property — a part of the Mill. But North's close identification with the af I have gotten along well in the past & I fair undoubtedly damaged him politically will hope for the future." in Minnesota, and it must have resulted in On September 23 he informed his patient serious neglect of pressing affairs in North- father-in-law that he had been forced to field. Finally, in June, 1859, he was relieved sell a fourth of his property in Northfield, retaining only his house and the land "A full account of the "Five Million Loan" is around it. With the money thus raised he given in William W. Folwell, A History of Minnesota, staved off creditors in Hastings. During the 2:37-58 (St. Paul, 1924). "North to W. R, Marshall, March 24, 1880, in the months that foflowed he gradually liqui Rice County Journal (Northfield), April 1, 1880, dated his holdings to pay his debts, and by

September 1956 11£ August, 1860, he had largely sold out to Monday, July 13, 1857, there was a race of Goodsefl and two others, though there the parties to capture control of the con remained a considerable indebtedness to vention, and North was designated by the Goodsell which was not paid off until some Republicans to call it to order and nom years later." During the Northfield years, inate a temporary chairman. But a Demo the management of the properties there cratic delegate attempted to do the same, was partly in charge of North's brother-in- and to make an involved story short, the law, George Loomis. two factions could not get together, and so they met separately.^"^ BEFORE LEAVING St. Anthony, North North played a prominent role in almost was actively interested in a convention of all the discussions of the Republican con March 26, 1855, which resulted in the or vention. His legal training made him espe ganization of the Republican party in Min cially useful. His longest speech — and an nesota. This "Abolition Convention" was eloquent one it was, taking up ten pages the subject of acid comment in the Demo of the printed Proceedings for August 6 — cratic St. Anthony Express of March 31. dealt with the question of including the It reported that about a hundred delegates word "white" in the suffrage clause, which attended on the first day and fifty on the confined the right to vote to "free white second. Speeches were given against slav male" citizens. North argued that such a ery and alcohol. The report concludes: provision was contrary to divine law and "Requiescat in pace." Editorial comment the convictions of the founding fathers, on the convention in the same issue was that it violated the principle of the Dec likewise unfriendly: "For a party which laration of Independence that all men were claims all the virtue, it was one of the most created equal, that it was "inconsistent curious gatherings of pie-bald and mongrel with the genius of our institutions," that politicians we have seen in the Territory." Minnesota like other states should use the The call to the convention was issued for phrase "every male inhabitant," that it all who were disgusted with the current "makes us simply ridiculous" because it degradation and corruption of political par would be impossible to determine what per ties. Those attending certainly should know centage of colored blood made a person about this situation, the editor wrote, for non-white, and finally that the clause would they had been steeped in it. Among the disfranchise the Indians, including some prominent abolitionists present, he re members of the convention. He concluded: ported, was North. The editor hoped that "I hope we shafl make such a Constitution the party would be successful in saving as we shall not look back upon with shame Minnesota Territory from the clutches of and self-reproach in coming time."" Al slavery! North was active in the Republi though his motion lost, after the Civfl War can party from its inception in Minnesota. the word "white" was finally removed from When the time approached for a consti the Minnesota Constitution. North, how tutional convention in anticipation of state ever, made a good fight for racial equality. hood for Minnesota, politics again beck Three years later. North again turned to oned to North. As a delegate from Rice politics, this time in the hope of eventuafly County, he took a leading part in the proceedings of the Republican caucus, but " North to Loomis, August 23, 1860, and later let unfortunately he did not report on the con ters in the North Papers. vention in the letters now avaflable. Mu " For a detailed account of the constitutional con- tual suspicion prevented organization of \entions of 1857, see Folwell, Minnesota, 1:388-421 (1921). the state constitutional convention by both "Minnesota Constitutional Convention (Republi Democratic and Republican delegates. On can), Debates and Proceedings, 349-360 (St. Paul, 1857).

114 MINNESOTA IHstory obtaining a government office after finan year. There are other appointments to be cial disaster at Northfield forced him to had of various kinds. Had I better try to find some means of supporting his family. get one or not?" Elective office was closed to him because Soon he was actively seeking an appoint of his participation in the rail bonds affair, ment, as indicated in his letter of December his outspoken support of abolition, and his 2 to his father-in-law. North reported that antiliquor stand, but he was highly re "I saw Mr. Lincoln at his own House and garded among Republicans in Minnesota. had all the talk with him that I wished for. At the state Republican convention in Feb He treated me with courtesy and cordial ruary, 1860, he was named a member of ity & when I had finished he said he would the Minnesota delegation to the party's tell me a secret which was that he was national convention in Chicago, and he going up to Chicago on the same train with became the state group's chairman.'^'* Al me, to meet Mr. [Hannibal] Hamlin by ap though the Minnesotans were instructed pointment." Since Hamlin was the Repub for Seward, at the close of the convention, lican vice-presidential nominee, Lincoln North was appointed to "the committee to suggested that North stop in Chicago to notify Mr. Lincoln of his nomination." meet him. As a member of this group. North in North goes on to relate that "I came up formed Dr. Loomis on June 3, "I went to on the train with Mr. Lincoln & his wife" Springfield to see the next President. The and various "other notables." In Chicago Central R. R. gave us an extra train & paid North "was invited, by Mr. [Norman B.] all expenses. It was a long ride—-more than Judd, the Chairman of the Ifl. Rep. State two hundred miles. We arrived there in the Com. to his house to tea with a few friends," evening & started back at midnight. We and there he met "Mr. & Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. had a pleasant call on Mr. Lincoln and his Hamlin . . and a host of other notables." Lady, got supper, heard several speeches in North was introduced to Hamlin, who the capitol, saw a most brilliant display of "said he had 'known me well for a number fireworks, and then at midnight commenced of years', and seemed very cordial. He made our return without night cars" to Chicago. an appointment to see me at his room the Thence North returned to Northfield to next day at one o'clock when I had a frank complete liquidation of his holdings. Even free talk with him which was very satisfac the Cedar Vafley Railroad was foreclosed, tory. I said but little myself, yet enough to he reported to Loomis on August 23, 1860, let them know that I am going to apply although North did not lose by it. for an appointment." North took an active part in the presi "So far as they are concerned I stand dential campaign of 1860, and he election wefl," North felt. "Yet much depends on eered especially in Illinois, where he was our Congressional delegation. And two of associated on his tour with John P. Hale. them I am confidant are against me. Yet In his letter of October 31, 1860, to Dr. to balance that influence I have the Gov Loomis, North asked: "What think you of and nearly all the State Officers on my side. the propriety of my applying for some of The Chairman of our State Com & the fice? I am told that I could get one, and member of the National Committee for our what had I better aim at if anything? One State. Also the Missionary influence who man in our State has spoken of the Gover want the Indians under good moral influ norship of a Territory. Gov. Ramsey spoke ences. The Episcopal Bishop [Henry B. to me of the Office of Superintendent of In Whipple] promises to work for me, and the dian Affairs, which pays some $3000 per Rev. Mr. Neill Chancellor of the Univer sity and Superintendent of Public Instruc " North to Loomis, May 16. 1860, North Papers, tion has given me a strong letter."

September 1956 115 Lincoln and others suggested to North pears that North planned to leave Minne that he go to Washington for the inaugura sota on April 29, 1861, and that George was tion, and he felt he must be on hand when to remain there for a time to close up mat political appointments were made, though ters. Then he was to go to Dewitt and later he could ifl afford the expense. He received to follow North to Nevada. Mrs. North more than forty letters of recommendation and her famfly went to Dewitt, where they from some of Minnesota's leading men, ac remained with her parents untfl May, 1862, cording to a letter written to Dr. Loomis when she took ship from New York and on January 17, 1861. In late February he traveled, as her husband had done the year left for Washington, where an extremely before, via the Isthmus to California. She anxious period followed for him. His letters joined him at Washoe City, Nevada Terri tell a story of cafls on people of influence tory, in June, 1862. in Washington, from the president-elect down. The weeks from Inauguration Day ALTHOUGH there are scattered references until March 23 were especially trying. to Minnesota and Minnesotans in the Ramsey's suggestion notwithstanding, the North letters of later years from Nevada, Minnesota Congressional delegation sup Tennessee, and California, North did not ported another candidate for the Indian return to Minnesota untfl 1883, when he commissionership. North's ultimate suc briefly visited in the Twin Cities and cess in obtaining an appointment is re Northfield while promoting settlement in ported in a letter of March 23 to Dr. southern California. He wrote his wife from Loomis. Northfield on September 13, 1883, that he "As I deposited the letter I wrote you had been interviewed by William Watts today, in the Post Office," he told his cor Folwell about his part in the founding of respondent, "I met a gentleman who in the university, and that he had renewed formed me that I was appointed Surveyor friendships with Justice John M. Berry, General of Nevada Territory; and that my Sibley, Rice, and many others .^^ In North- name was sent in to the Senate today. I field he lectured on California and met old could hardly believe it, and went immedi friends. He returned to California, where ately to see Senator Rice who informed me he died on February 22,1890, and was buried it was true. My first impression was not to in the family lot at Riverside, a community accept it: it is so far off. But I am told by which he founded. all, that there is hardly an office in the gift Between his departure from Minnesota of the President that affords a better op in the spring of 1861 and his death in 1890, portunity of making a fortune in a short John Wesley North had three careers, each time. It is in the region of the Washoe as significant in its way as the Minnesota Mines; and is filling up faster than any one. Each, if fully exploited, would add a spot on Earth." In this rich sflver mining revealing chapter to the history of an area. North was to receive a salary of three American state. thousand dollars a year, in addition to of fice rent, fuel, and clerk hire. On the fol "" A "Report of the Testimony of John W. North" lowing Monday his appointment, which he relating to his connection with the founding ot the soon decided to accept, was confirmed by university is among some miscellaneous items in the the Senate. With his future assured. North's Folwell collection of the University of Minnesota Archives. Although it is dated merely "Minneapolis, spirits rose, and he returned to Northfield Sept. 11," it must have been recorded while North to wind up his affairs. was visiting in Minnesota in 1883, North was in Northfield briefly in April, THE PORTRAITS of Ann and John North on page 103 are reproduced through the courtesy of Mr. Carl 1861, according to a letter of April 21, 1861, Weicht of the Northf-eld News. The originals are from George Loomis to his parents. It ap daguerreotypes made in 1856.

116 MINNESOTA History Copyright of Minnesota History is the property of the Minnesota Historical Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder’s express written permission. Users may print, download, or email articles, however, for individual use.

To request permission for educational or commercial use, contact us.