Mr. Wilson was a member of the United States house of representatives in 1871-72 and state senator in 1879. He served four years as mayor of Minneapolis, from 1872 to 1876. Mr. Wilson was married Sept. 6, 1865, to Mary E. Kimball, of Minneapolis. They have three children, Mary O., Helen K. and Eugenia.
R. B. Langdon, born in Vermont in 1826, received an academic education, and at twenty-two years of age commenced railroading on the Rutland & Burlington road. He has since been continuously engaged in superintending the construction of railroads in ten states of the Union, and in 1858 supervised the grading of the St. Paul & Pacific, the first railroad enterprise in Minnesota. He served as state senator for seven terms, commencing in 1873 and closing in 1881 (excepting the term of 1879). He has a wife and three children.
Wm. M. Bracket, the originator of the Minneapolis fire department, was born in Maine in 1843. His father served six years as consul at Halifax, Nova Scotia, during which time William resided at that place. During the Rebellion he served two years as a musician in the Sixth Maine Volunteers, and was then appointed paymaster's clerk at Washington, District of Columbia. In 1865 he came to Minneapolis, where he has since been continuously connected with the fire department.
Thomas B. and Platt B. Walker are natives of Ohio. Thomas B. came to Minneapolis in 1862, and engaged in surveying, railroad engineering and examining lands. By close application and sound judgment he has accumulated wealth, from which he dispenses liberally to worthy enterprises. He has contributed largely to the building of the athenæum. His wife is a prominent contributor to, and upholder of, the charitable enterprises of the city.
Platt B., a younger brother of Thomas, is a fluent speaker, a popular lecturer and a kind hearted, genial man. He has been till lately editor and publisher of the Mississippi Valley Lumberman, and has taken an active part in the improvements of the waterways of the West.
Austin H. Young, a native of Fredonia, New York, born Dec. 8, 1830, received his education at Waukegan, Illinois; removed to Prescott, Wisconsin, in 1854; commenced the practice of law in 1862 and served as state senator in Wisconsin in 1863. He came to Minneapolis in 1866 and practiced law. He was elected judge of the Fourth Judicial district in 1877.
Henry G. Hicks was born in Wyoming, New York, in 1838. He learned the trade of harness maker; was educated at Oberlin, Ohio; served as a soldier during the war of the Rebellion, and was wounded at the battle of Missionary Ridge. In 1865 he came to Minneapolis. He was admitted to the bar in 1875; has served as sheriff, as city justice and as a representative in the twentieth, twenty-first and twenty-second state legislatures. He was elected district judge in 1886.
John P. Rea was born Oct. 13, 1840, in Chester county, Pennsylvania. He received a common school education. In 1861 he enlisted in Company B, Eleventh Ohio Volunteers, and was breveted major for meritorious services. In 1867 he graduated at Ohio Wesleyan College; studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1869. In 1875 he removed to Minneapolis; edited the Tribune one year; continued his law practice in 1877; was elected probate judge, served four years, and in 1886 was elected district judge without opposition.
He has been an active Grand Army man, a member of Geo. N. Morgan Post, and has served as commander of Minnesota state department, also as senior vice commander-in-chief of the national department. In 1887 he was elected commander-in-chief of the national department of the Grand Army. In 1869 he was married to Miss Emma Gould, of Ohio.
John Martin was born in Caledonia county, Vermont, in 1820. His educational advantages were limited to the common schools. He was raised on a farm, but at eighteen years of age bought his time of his father for sixty dollars. For twelve years he followed steamboating, seven on the Connecticut river and five on the Neuce river in North Carolina. In 1851 he went to California, but returned to Vermont the following year, and for two years engaged in farming. He came to Minneapolis in 1854, where he engaged in lumbering and dealing in pine lands. In the past twelve years he has been interested in railroad enterprises. He has been vice president of the Minneapolis & St. Louis, and Minneapolis, Sault Ste. Marie & Atlantic Railway companies. Mr. Martin is an enterprising and sagacious business man, and is highly esteemed for his many excellent qualities. He was married in Vermont in 1849, to Jane Gilfillan, and has one daughter.