The Irish standard., 1900-10-27
AND A CANDIDATE FOR REELECTION
He is Pre-eminently the Idol Of
the State Democracy.
HIS SPLENDID CAREER in CONGRESS
Services to His Country During
the War with Spain.

To be elected governor of the state
of Minnesota at any time is not a
small honor; to be the first man elect
ed to the place in opposition to the
Republican, party organization is even
a more signal victory; to be chosen
above and beyond partisan lines by
the discriminating judgment of his
fellow citizens, at time when all
the other nominees Of the opposing
party, save the gubernatorial, were
elected by more or less handsome ma
jorities is distinction such as has
been accorded to few men in any
state. 1t was under such circum-
stances that John Lind was inaugu-
rated governor of Minnesota in Jan
uary, 1899, says the St. Peter Her
aid.
Governor Lind was born at Kama,
province Of Smaland, Sweden, March
25, 1854. The family emigrated to
America in 1867 when John was 13
years Of age, and settled in Goodhue
county, MINI. Here young John, Ia
boring to assist in the support Of the
family, lost his. left hand by an acci-
Gent which, perhaps, turned the cur
rent Of his career, as now, ill-fitted to
compete with his fellows in the mate
rial world, he was urged to more as
siduity in the pursuit of his studies.
He spent as much Of his time
as possible in study and at 16
he was granted certificate en-
titling him to teach in the
public schools. He taught one year
in Sibley county, but not being salts
fed with the compensation in new
country at that time, he, in 1873, took
UP his residence in New Ulm, where
he has since resided, respected and
honored among men. By the dint of
hard study, industry and strict econ
omy, he was able to attend the State
university in 1876 and 1876, having in
mind then the practice of law. Util-
izing all his opportunities for private
study and privileged as he was to
work in the Office of New Ulm prac-
titi0ner, he was admitted to the bar
Immediately upon leaving the univer-
sity at the age Of 81. In 1877 he be-
gan the practice Of law and, taking an
active interest in public life, was chos.
en- superintendent of schools of
Brown county. This position he held
for two years, declining renomina.
tion in order that he might devote
himself entirely to the profession up.
on the adoption of which he had now
fully determined, namely, the law. In
1881, under the administration Of Gar
field and Arthur, he was made re-
ceiver of the land Office at Tracy,
Lyon county, which position he held
until the election of Grover Cleve.
land, still being able, however, to care
for his private practice at New Ulm
Mr.. Lind's natural talent and dill
gence made him name more thar
local, and his prosecution of severa'
suits, notably those against railroad
companies, won him not q little re
nown. He was active in the councils
of the Republican party, and in 1885,
he was nominated to represent the
Second district in congress. The Sec
ond district then comprised 20 coun
ties-practically all of southwestern
Minnesota. That was hard fought
campaign, but Mr.. Lind was elected
by a splendid plurality. Two years
later he was renominated and agair
elected, his adversary this time being
Colonel Morton s. Wilkinson, veter
an leader, who had been one of Min
nesota's three representatives in the
house from 1869 to 1871, and United
States senator during the war. HI
took an active interest in the affairs
Of the Indians and secured the pass
age Of a bill establishing seven Indi
an schools in various parts Of thu
country, one of them being located a
Pipestone, in this state. Another
sphere of work of local Importance
was the pushing of some old claimi
for the depredations of the Indians
during the outbreak of 1862. He Sc
cured the payment of many of these
for the people of the Second district
who had suffered during that upris
ing. One of the greatest economics
which he secured to the people of thu