OCTOBER 17

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY: October 17, 1825 William Marshall, born in Missouri This surveyor and lead miner settled near St. Paul at age twenty-four. He served in the territorial legislature’s first term, and in 1855 chaired the founding convention of the Minnesota Republican Party. During the Civil War, Marshall commanded his state’s 7th Volunteer Infantry. The regiment fought at Nashville and Mobile. Peace restored, he was proprietor of a dairy farm and a hardware store.In 1865, a grateful citizenry elected Marshall to first of two two-year terms as Governor. His administration oversaw a thriving economy and soaring population. On his third attempt, he secured passage of a law extending voting rights to African-Americans. "The free young state of Minnesota," he declared, "is now altogether free."Later years were devoted to the University of Minnesota board of regents, the railroad commissioners board, and the state historical society. Marshall County is named for him. https://grandoldpartisan.blogspot.com/2025/10/willia