By an act of the legislature approved May 33, 1857, the "Old Settlers Association" was incorporated with the following charter members: H. H. Sibley, Socrates Nelson, Franklin Steele, A. L. Larpenteur, Wm. Holcombe, Wm. H. Randall, Wm. Hartshorn, Cornelius Lyman, Lorenzo A. Babcock, J. D. Ludden, David Olmsted, H. M. Rice, Alex. Ramsey, Wm. R. Marshall, Jos. R. Brown, Chas. W. Borup, Henry Jackson, Martin McLeod, Norman W. Kittson, Vetal Guerin, J. W. Selby, Aaron Goodrich, and Philander Prescott. These members, with those whom they might associate with them, were duly empowered to buy, sell, hold property, to sue or be sued, to receive donations, to keep a common seal, and to enjoy all the franchises incident to a corporate body.
It was provided that no person should be eligible to a membership who had not been a resident of the Territory prior to Jan. 1, 1850. The seal of the association was devised by Aaron Goodrich. On the two sides of the seal were represented the past and the future. In the background of the side representing the past is delineated a plain; in the distance are seen the last rays of the declining sun; nearer are seen Indian hunters, their lodges, women and children, and a herd of buffalo.
Prominent in the foreground of the side representing the future stands an aged man with silvered hair; he leans upon his staff; he is in the midst of a cemetery; the spire of a church is seen in the distance; as he turns from a survey of the various monuments which mark the resting place of departed old settlers, his eye rests upon a new made grave. It is that of his last associate; he is the last survivor; his companions have fallen asleep. A group of children in the foreground represents the rising generation of Minnesota which shall reap the fruits of the pioneer's toil.
SEAL OF THE ASSOCIATION.
ORGANIZATION.
The first meeting of the Old Settlers Association was held, in pursuance of public notice, at the hall of the Historical Society of Minnesota, in the capitol, in St. Paul, on Saturday, Feb. 27, 1858.
On motion of Judge Goodrich, his excellency Henry H. Sibley was unanimously elected president. Hon. Aaron Goodrich and Hon. L. A. Babcock were unanimously elected vice presidents, A. L. Larpenteur, Esq., secretary, and J. W. Bass, Esq. treasurer. After which Gov. Sibley addressed the meeting in a manner able, pertinent and feeling. Several other members spoke.
On motion a committee of three was appointed by the chair to report by-laws for the government of the association. Also a committee of three to report such measures as shall be deemed best calculated to effectuate the objects of the charter.
The president appointed H. L. Moss, L. A. Babcock and T. R. Potts committee on by-laws, and Aaron Goodrich, B. W. Lott and Chas. S. Cave committee on charter.