The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-09-11
Pioneer of Minnesota Valley Passes
Away in st. Paul.
His Career Was a Noble One and
Worthy of Emulation.
Took an Active Part in the War
Against the Sioux.
He Was At One Time Prosecuting At
torney Of NicoIlet County.
From Wednesdays Daily.

From Wednesdays Daily.
Judge Charles f. Flandrau died at his
home in st. Paul at eight o'clock this
morning after an illness covering long
period. His death was not unexpected
He had been confined to his bed for a
number of months.
The funeral will be held from the fami-
ly residence Friday afternoon.
In the death of Judge Charles E. Elan
drau the state loses one of its most re-
spected and prominent citizens. He was
born July 10, 1928, in New York city.
His ancestors We're Hugenots who set
tied at New Rochelle, n. Y. Charles HI.
Flandrau, his father, was for many years
law partner of Aaron Burr in New
York city. His mother was the daughter
of Gen. Alexander Macomb, at one time
communicating chief of the United States
navy, and sister of Gen. Alexander Ma
comb, commander chief of the army.
Judge Flandrau received his early edu-
cation in the private schools of George
town and Washington, d. c. He had a
teen shipped before the mast in the rev.
enue cutter Forward. He spent about
three years on the sea, and at the AGE of
nineteen settled down to study law in his
fathers law office at Whitesboro, n. Y.
He was admitted to the bar in 1851 and
entered into partnership with his father.
He came west in 1853. During Novem-
Der of that year he came to st. Paul in
the company of Horace R. Bigelow, and
the two lawyers hung out their sign.
Bigelow & Flandrau, on Third street.
The practice of law in the early days
often necessitated long trips into the
northern wilds. 1t was on one of these
trips up the Minnesota river to Rock
Bend, now st. Peter, that Judge Elan
drau decided to settle at small trading
post called Traverse DIES Sioux. He re-
moved in June, 1854, to ST. Peter, where
he occupied the first house built there.
Gov. German appointed him notary
public in March, 1854, and in October
of the same year he became deputy
clerk of the district court and soon after
was elected district attorney for Nicolet
county. He was sent to the territorial
council in 1855, but only served one year
press of outside duties forcing him to
resign.
President Pierce appointed him Unit
ed States agent for the Sioux of the
Mississippi, and during 1856, when he
served in that capacity, he gave efficient
and constant aid to the hundreds of
homeless refugees fleeing the tomahawk
of the Indian
! Mr.. Flandrau's intimate knowledge of
the laws of the territory and his recog-
nized sagacity won for him seat in the
constitutional convention of 1857 which
gave to Minnesota her state constitution
He sat as Democratic member of the con-
vention which was presided over by Gen
Sibley..
While member of the convention he
was appointed as associate justice of the
supreme court of Minnesota and held
that office until 1864. While in office he
instituted many reforms relative to or
ganization of the judiciary and system
of practice in the courts, which today
bear the stamp of his integrity and legal
wisdom. In 1853 he became Judge ad-
vocate general
The Sioux broke out into fierce re-
bellion about New Ulm in 1862. Judge
Flandrau organized company, marching
Immediately to the scene of action. When
he reached New Ulm he was chosen COM
mander in chief of the volunteer force in
the field. After a fierce fight lasting
forty hours Judge Flandrau and his
band saved New Ulm from devastation
i and its women and children from massa-
ere. His conduct during the whole fight
was so cool and gallant that he won a
name for bravery not soon to be for
gotten.
Judge FIandrau left Minnesota to prac.
. tice his profession in Carson City, New.
but he soon returned to enter into part
nership with Judge Isaac Atwater OF
Minneapolis. He was elected city attor-
ney for Minneapolis in 1867, holding that
office for one year. While in Minneapolis
he became the president of the first board
of trade ever organized in that city and
was its representative in the great com
!, mercial convention held in st. Louis in
1868 to push navigation on the Missis-
sippi.
| He returned to St. Paul in 1870 and
became member of the law firm of
| Bigelow, Flandrau & Clark, and after
wards senior member in the firm of
Flandrau, Squires & Cutcheon. During
the past few years Judge Flandrau has
been engaged in the law practice alone.
Politically he has been Democrat and
was several times aspirant for political
honors. He ran for governor in 1867, and
in 1869 was Democratic chairman of the
state central committee and attended the
national convention which nominated
Horatio Seymour. He was chairman of
the commission which framed the pres
ent charter of the city of St. Paul.
Judge Flandrau was twice married. He
| married Miss Isabella R. Dinsmore in
1859. There were two daughters by the
first marriage, Mrs. 7. R. Selmes and
Mrs. F. w. M. Cutcheon. He married
Mrs. Rebecca B. Biddle Feb 2S, 1871,
The children of the second marriage are
Charles M. Flandrau and William Blair
McC Flandrau both of ST Paul