The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1901-10-25
JOHN 8. PILLSBURY.

for carrying on trade in hardware. The
firm continued business until it was
hundreds of business firms in the East
and West were forced to close their doors
in the great financial panic which swept
the country at that time.
Mr.. Pillsbury assumed the debts of the
firm and resumed business. He continued
his mercantile pursuits for IS years with
great success, until he finally disposed
of his business to give. his entire time
to the great milling industry which he
had had been building up: His nephew a3he:
brother. John A. Pilsbury, were asso-
firm name Of C. A Pill si3'rS,r & &C, Co;
later admitted to the firm. The Pillsbury
mills have been since maintained on their
own merit and worked independently, and
have grown to be among the largest in
the world.
For 10 years Mr.. Pillsbury served as
member of the city council, and with a
the state legislature from 1868 to 1876.
About the same time he was appointed
one OF the regents OF the t M th ane
of that institution. the situation and the
amount of it's debts, he introduced to the
legislature a plan whereby the whole af-
fairs of the university were placed in the
hands of a new board of regents.
In 1875 he was unanimously nominated
ernor of the state of Minnesota. and his
election followed.
His knowledge of men was wonderful.
and his keen perception and unerring
Judgment of their capabilities and weak
nesses had been developed in the great
school of practical business. His admin
peculiarly popular with the people at
large He took an immediate interest in
the affairs of those under his jurisdiction.
Soon after his inauguration to office
peculiar condition confronted the farmers
of the state which demanded immediate
attention.
rrl.-o ,,lo no lot 70
large agricultural sections and left thou
sands of prosperous farmers of the state
in destitute condition. Gov. Pillsbury.
determined to know the exact condition
of affairs in the rural districts, made
trip, incognito, through the ruined dis.
tricts Of the state. acqueinting himself
ing the measures of the relief which
would be most effective. The governor,
unknown to those among whom ne was
private purse, and on his return to the
capitol made a public appeal for funds to
the prosperous people OF the state, and
!. of the large donation Of food, clothing.
7 fuel and money When the legislature
assembled, he recommended an app appropr Ia
lieye the want. In this manner he al
leviated the distress of families too proud
to ask for aid yet now TO CON
During his first term of office he was
also called upon to deal forcibiy with a
gang or MISSOURI DdHQllS. WHICH dl IHdl
time invaded Minnesota; and the prison
rules of the state soon held the names
of the most prominent of the famous
Younger brothers band. The career of
lawlessness which the freebooters en-
deavored to inaugurate was thus quickly
stopped by the prompt action of Gov.
In 1871 and again in 1879 he was re-
elected to the governship. thus serving
three consecutive terms, a distinction ac-
corded no other man in the history of the
Mr.. Pillsbury was married at Warner.
N Fl. Nov. 8, 1856, to Miss Mahala Fisk
who draws her heredity from a double
line of New England settlers. She was
horn at Springfield. N. H., May T. 1882,
her parents being Capt. John and Sarah
Gov. Pillsbury is survived by his wife
and two children. Alfred Fisk Pillsbury
and Mrs. Edward Gale. Gov. and Mrs.
Pillsbury have had four children, two Of
What Gov. Pillsbury has done for the
Minnesota State University was probably
never more forcibly brought to the minds
of the citizens of the state than at the
time of the unwilling of the Pillsbury
monument on the campus grounds. Sept.
Upon the day of Gov. Pillsbury's
funeral the university will be closed in
ali it's departments. The faculty and
students will attend the services in q
body. and will also be present at the In
terment. If it Is to be public.