Minnesota Family History Research: 1/3/16

Saturday, January 9, 2016

On This Date in Minnesota History: January 9

January 9, 1921 – A publicity stunt was pulled off this evening to promote the next night’s magic show in Bemidji with Dr. Buckley, “The Mental Wizard.”

Around 7 p.m., Dr. Buckley telephoned a young man in Bemidji long distance from Nashwauk, Minn., suggesting that he go to sleep in the window of Barker’s Drug Store.

The next morning, the young man was still sleeping soundly in the store window. Dr. Buckley expects to awaken him at 7 p.m. before his 7:30 show at the Grand Theatre.

The Bemidji Daily Pioneer; “Young Man Sleeps in Barker’s Store Window”; Jan. 10, 1921, p. 1.

The Bemidji Daily Pioneer; Jan. 10, 1921, p. 3

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If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including: census records, birth records, death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records. I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MHS records. Both short searches and family history reports.

Website: TheMemoryQuilt.com ® click on Family History

Contact me at: pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com

Friday, January 8, 2016

On This Date in Minnesota History: January 8

January 8, 1922 – The village of McGrath in Aitkin County sustained its worst fire this evening when four buildings were destroyed at an estimated loss of $26,000 or more, the loss being about half covered by insurance. A southwest wind was blowing that probably saved the balance of the business part of town.

The fire started about 8 p.m. in the McGrath Mercantile Company, a frame 50 by 130, from unknown causes and rapidly gained headway. Volunteer fire fighters organized a bucket brigade but were unable to save the adjoining two-story frame hotel owned by Peter Anderson, a barber shop in a one-story frame building owned by Charles Isley and occupied by a family. Hard work saved the building of the State Bank, although the sheeting on one side was badly scorched. No one was injured.

The heaviest loss, probably $15,000, was sustained by the mercantile company. The hotel loss may amount to $4,000 or $5,000.

Aiken Independent Age; “McGrath Village Hit By Big Fire”; Jan. 14, 1922, p. 1.

http://townmapsusa.com/images/maps/map_of_mcgrath_mn.jpg

Thursday, January 7, 2016

OneThis Date in Minnesota History: January 7

January 7, 1825 – On this date, “it was directed in War Department General Orders No. 1 that the military post on the Mississippi at the mouth of the Saint Peter’s, theretofore called Fort St. Anthony, be thereafter designated and known as Fort Snelling.”

Upham, Warren; Minnesota Geographic Names, Their Origin and Historic Significance; Minnesota Historical Society (St. Paul, Minn., 1969); p. 228.

http://www3.iath.virginia.edu/minnesota/snelling.html

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

On This Date in Minnesota History: January 6

January 6, 1893 – “James J. Hill pushes his Great Northern line to the Pacific Coast. The 1,816-mile track from St. Paul to Seattle completes the railroad he later calls his ‘great adventure.’

The final spike was driven near Scenic, WA, on this date. By midsummer of 1893 Seattle and the East were linked by regular service.”

http://www.mnopedia.org/person/hill-james-j-1838-1916

James J. Hill
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:James_J._Hill_at_35.jpg

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

On This Date in Minnesota History: January 5

January 5, 1911 – This morning a fire in Tower, Minn., did approximately $15,000 worth of damage, and for a time, the entire town was threatened with destruction. A row of frame structures, which included those occupied by the Tower News, John Hickey’s saloon, Kearn Martella’s confectionery, Jalmer Pearson’s barber shop and a vacant store, was burned.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Bad Fire in Tower”; Jan. 6, 1911; p. 1.

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If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including: census records, birth records, death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records. I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MHS records. Both short searches and family history reports.

Website: TheMemoryQuilt.com ® click on Family History

Contact me at: pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com

Monday, January 4, 2016

On this Date in Minnesota History: January 4

January 4, 2010 – “The Minnesota Twins officially take possession of Target Field from Mortenson Construction, a full two months ahead of schedule.”

http://twinstrivia.com/today-in-twins-history/

Photos taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain Jan. 4, 2016,
as long as acknowledgement included.

Sunday, January 3, 2016

On This Date in Minnesota History: January 3

January 3, 1916 – John Lind, former governor of Minnesota, one of the honorary pallbearers at the funeral of the late Governor Hammond, fell on the icy steps of the Capitol this morning and sustained serious injuries. The former governor insisted on accompanying the funeral procession to the waiting funeral train at the St. Paul Union Depot, but then had to give up the trip to St. James, Minn., where Hammond will be laid to rest.

Governor Hammond’s casket on a gun carriage, under escort of Minnesota National Guardsmen, on the way from the state capitol where it lay in state Saturday and Sunday, to the funeral train that bore it today to its last resting place in the governor’s home city, St. James.¹
An examination showed that Mr. Lind was suffering from two fractured ribs.

Following his fall, General Fred B. Wood advised the former governor to ride in a carriage to the station. Mr. Lind felt that out of respect to the late governor he should march with the rest of the honorary pallbearers. He stepped out of line when the procession reached the station.

Mr. Lind was reported at his residence this evening as being in a favorable condition. The injury is not considered serious.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “John Lind Is Hurt by a Fall While at Hammond Funeral. Two Ribs Broken, Result of Slip on Icy Steps of Capitol.”; Jan. 4, 1916; p. 1.

¹The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; Jan. 4, 1916; p. 2.

Death of Gov. Hammond; see Dec. 30, 2014 blog