The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1903-05-01

from politics, for the following year he
was chosen chairman OF the WING state
committee, during the important cam
paign which resulted in the election of
Taylor as president.
This campaign also affected Mr. Ram
seys destinies to an important degree,
dent Taylor came into office, he appointed
Mr.. Ramsey governor of the Minnesota
territory, then recently established.
The appointment was accepted, and Mr..
Ramsey at once came to st. Paul, arriv-
ing there on May 9th, 1849. Four days
afterwards. the other territorial officers
having arrived, he issued a proclamation,
declaring the territory organized.
The first legislative body of Minnesota
convened in two small rooms of a hotel
on, the banks of the Mississippi in st.
Paul
The governor read his first message to
the joint convention of the two houses.
twenty-Seven members in all, assembled
in the hotel diningroom.
Among the first acts of Governor Ram
sey were efforts in the direction of ex-
tinguishment of the Indian titles by
treaty, and the negotiations made at Men
So6a and 5 o &c SIOUX ok IN
now the most valuable portion of the
state, into settlement.
He was elected mayor of st. Paul in
1855, and when Minnesota was admitted
to the union, Governor Ramsey was NOM
mated for state governor by the repub-
lican party, but was not elected.
mated and received a handsome majority.
He entered his Office on Jan. 2, 1860 At
that time the state was in debt and the
treasury was empty, taxes We're difficult
culties connected with the administration
of so young a state in war time, but the
administration was successful
AT the time of the fall of Fort Sumter
Governor Ramsey was in Washington on
official business. Upon seeing the neces-
sity for troops he at once. called upon
President Lincoln and rendered him a
regiment of 1000 men from Minnesota.
Governor Ramsey was reelected in the
fall of 1861, and his second term was
more important and trying than the first.
There were repeated calls for troops
from the government. and five regiments
were recruited in 1862
In the middle of this activity occurred
the. Sioux massacre in the southwestern
ecutive ability which always character
lied Governor Ramsey. he organized a
battalion to go to the front to the relief
of the beSeiged settlers.
In January 1868, Governor Ramsey was
elected United States senator from Min
nesota, and in 1869. at the close Of his
term, he was reelected for six years
more.
His service in the senate was marked
by the introduction of many important
bills; including measures for the inn
of the Northern Pacific Railroad, the re-
peal of the franking abuse, and various
measures for the benefit of the north
west. Being chairman of the senate
committee on postoffices, he was eSpe-
cially interested in postal reforms.
For a few years after the close OF his
congressional term he enjoyed a period Of
rest from his official life, but on Dec. TO-.
1879. President Hayes rendered him the
portfolio of secretary of war. This posi-
ton he filled with much honor during the
remainder of President Hayes admins
tration. Under the "Edmunds law
which created a commission of five to
control the affairs of the polygamists in
Utah, Senator Ramsey was appointed in
1882 to serve on this board, and was
elected it's chairman.
He filed this position for four years,
resigning in 1886. 1t was his last public
service.
During his long and active life as a
public man in Minnesota, Governor Ram
sew has been active in many movements
for the benefit of his city and state not
connected with official affairs. Since 1849
he was one of the most active members
of the Minnesota Historical Society He
was president and director of the st. Paul
nublic library and a leading member of
the Old Settlers Association, and an hon.
ored member of the Minnesota command
On Sept. 10. 1916. Governor Ramsey
married Miss Anna Earl jerks, daugh-
ter of Michael II. jerks, a judge and
congressman of Bucks county, Pennsyl-
vania. They had two sons, both of whom
died in infancy, and one daughter, Mrs.
Charles e. Furness.