Dr. Vespasian Smith was the third mayor of Duluth. Born Oct. 21, 1818 in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, he earned a medical degree from Western Reserve College in 1851 and practiced in Ohio and Superior, Wisconsin before moving to Duluth. In 1860 he received a government appointment to serve as physician to the Indians at the Bayfield Agency. It is said that there were no votes opposing his first election to mayor, in 1873, except his own. He was re-elected the following year. The financial panic of 1873 and dire financial circumstances of Duluth itself made for difficult mayoral terms, but he was said to have been a man of great common sense who was well suited to lead during such times. He also served on the State Board of Health for twenty years. Dr. Smith died in Duluth on Oct. 11, 1897.
Exterior view of the first Fillmore County Courthouse. Construction began in 1863, and was completed in early 1864. Located on the public square, facing south on Main Street in Preston, Minnesota.
Albert Dahlem was a Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Officer, seen here wearing his uniform. After the war, he moved to Sauk Centre, becoming an avid businessman.
Scrap of lined paper with a photograph mounted in the center. The photo shows three men posing in front of the White House: one standing, one leaning against a statue, and one reclining on the ground at the base of the statue. The handwritten note at the top of the paper points out "Rev'd Edw'd D. Neill __ __ __ an assistant Sec. to Pres. Lincoln 1864- ". A handwritten note on the bottom of the paper says, "White House, Washington, D.C. During President Lincoln's administration."
Collage of studio portraits from Minnesota Company A, Seventh Regiment, Volunteer Infantry, 1862, including 52 oval portraits of Civil War soldiers, some in uniform and some in later years. An eagle, flag, and banners appear at the top.
Portrait of St. Peter resident Lt. John Kinsman Hezlep, a member of the West Point Class of 1865 (where he graduated #14 in a class of 68). He was the son of George Hezlep, one of the members of the St. Peter Company, the group of men who founded the community of St. Peter. Hezlep served in the U.S. Infantry and Engineers and died in service of Yellow Fever on August 13, 1867 at Fort Morgan, Alabama.
Studio portrait of Union Soldier, who was killed one year later in action (probably Civil War). He is wearing complete uniform with hat, rifle and sword. Studio background has a scene depicting a field and Union soldiers conversing near their camp.
Portrait of Lt. Matthew F. Magner, a member of Company F of the 43rd Battalion of the Virginia Cavalry. This unit served with Mosby's Rangers in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. The Magner family settled in Nicollet County prior to the war.
This is a photograph of Nicollet County Civil War veteran James Magner. He served as a captain in Company I of the 28th Massachusetts Regiment. On May 18, 1864 Magner was killed during the battle of Spotsylvania.
This is a photograph of Nicollet County Civil War veteran James Magner. He served as a captain in Company I of the 28th Massachusetts Regiment. On May 18, 1864 Magner was killed during the battle of Spotsylvania.
View of tents of the First Minnesota Regimentin a field. The First Minnesota Regiment was the first voluntary infantry regiment to serve in the Union Army during the Civil War. The camp shown was located between Poolesville, Maryland and Edward's Ferry on the Potomac River near the site of the Battle of Ball's Bluff, which was on October 21, 1861.