BIOGRAPHY DIRECTORY
Wabasha County, Minnesota
Biography Project for Wabasha County, MN
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Minnesota Territorial Pioneers - Biographical Sketches of Territorial Pioneers This Page
Biographies & Historical Sketches of Wabasha Co., MN
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This is a huge database of Wabasha County biographies.
Minnesota Territorial Pioneers - Biographical Sketches of Territorial Pioneers
As listed in the Proceedings and Report of the Annual Meetings of the Minnesota Territorial Pioneers - May 11, 1899 and 1900. With an account of the building and dedication of the log cabin, the names of the builders, the names of the officers and members of the association and biographical sketches of territorial pioneers. Volume II. Double Number. St. Paul, Minn. The Pioneer Press Company. 1901.
- Jane DeBow Gibbs
- Charles W. Hackett
- Lucius Frederick Hubbard
- Amelia (Thomas) Hubbard
Jane DeBow Gibbs was born in Genessee County, N.Y., in November, 1828. In the fall of 1834, in
the family of Rev. J. D. Stevens, she left home for Minnesota. Rev. Stevens was one of Dr. T. S.
Williamson's mission band that spent the winter of 1834-5 at Mackinac, Mich., and arrived at Fort
Snelling in May, 1835. Rev. Stevens was stationed at Lake Harriet, and the subject of this sketch
attended his mission school there with Indian and part-breed children. This log school house built by
Mr. Stevens, opened in 1836, was the first school house within the present limits of the state. She left
Lake Harriet with the missionary in 1839, when the Indian tribes scattered and the station was
abandoned. She spent two years near the present site of Wabasha. From 1841 to 1847 she lived in the
western and southern portion of Wisconsin. In the latter year she moved to Elizabeth, Ill., where she
was married in 1848 to Heman R. Gibbs. In company with her husband, she came to St. Paul in the
spring of '49; in the fall of that year they made a claim in sections 17 and 20. Rosetown, Ramsey
County, where Mrs. Gibbs still resides. She is within sight of both Minneapolis and St. Paul, but the
attractions of the cities do not draw her from the homestead. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Gibbs, three of whom are living. Mrs. Gibbs believes herself to be the white person of longest residence
in the State of Minnesota.
Found on Debbie's
Genealogy Library
Contributed by Dave Baillif Gillespie
Charles W. Hackett was born in New Hampshire in 1831. He came to Minnesota in July, 1856. He
settled in Lake City and engaged in general merchandising; was register of deeds of Wabasha County
from 1860 to 1864; enlisted in 1862 and became captain of Co. C 10th Minnesota Infantry; was
mustered out in 1864; moved to St. Paul in 1872 and engaged in the hardware business, of which he
now conducts one of the largest wholesale houses in the Nothwest. Captain Hackett organized the
Lake City Bank in 1867. He was married in 1853 to Miss Mira Holt. Mr. and Mrs. Hacket have two
daughters. Mr. Hacket was a member of the State Board of Equalization from 1895 to 1897, also of
the Jobbers' Union during the second year of its existence. He has been vice president of the St. Paul
National Bank for many years.
Found on Debbie's
Genealogy Library
Contributed by Dave Baillif Gillespie
Lucius Frederick Hubbard. The "History of the Great Northwest" would not be complete if it failed
to give a sketch, though necessarily brief, of the eminent services performed by Lucius Frederick
Hubbard, who for two successive terms filled the office of governor of Minnesota with distinguished
ability. Governor Hubbard is, in the true sense of the word, a self-made man. He had only a limited
educational training in youth, but the studious habits he formed early in life placed at his command an
education thoroughly practical in its nature. Its benefits are shown in his after career. The
commonwealth of Minnesota owes much to Governor Hubbard. No man more creditably represented
it in the Civil War than he, none have performed more eminent service at the helm of state, and few
have contributed more to its upbuilding. From the beginning of his residence in the state he took an
active interest in public affairs and has richly merited the rewards which have been bestowed upon him.
The naming of Hubbard County after this distinguished man has perpetuated his name for all time.
Governor Hubbard is a native of the state of New York. He was born Jan. 26, 1836, at Troy, N. Y.,
and was the eldest son of Charles F. and Margaret Van Valkenberg Hubbard. He comes from old
Colonial stock, and is descended, upon his father's side, from George Hubbard and Mary Bishop, who
came to this country from England in the seventeenth century. On his mothers side he is descended
from the Van Valkenburgs of Holland, who were among the earliest settlers in the Hudson River Valley.
Lucius was but three years of age at the time of his father's death, and was placed in charge of an aunt
at Chester, Vt. He remained here until he was twelve years old, when he went to Granville, N. Y., and
attended the academy at that place for three years. Returning to Vermont, he began, when but fifteen
years of age, an apprenticeship to the tinner's trade at Poultney. He completed his apprenticeship at
Salem, N. Y., in 1854.
Believing that in the west he would find better opportunities to succeed in life, he came to Chicago from
Salem and worked at his trade in that city. For the three years following he devoted all his spare time to
improving his education. Possessed of literary tastes, the systematic and careful study he pursued was a
source of pleasure to him, and he thus acquired, by his studious habits, an excellent practical education.
In July, 1857, Mr. Hubbard came to Minnesota and located at Red Wing. The first business venture he
undertook was typical of the bold spirit and self-confidence of the man. Although having no experience
in the publishing business be started the Red Wing Republican, the second paper established in
Goodhue County. The paper was a success from the start. His good business judgment was recognized
by the people of Goodhue County a year later by his being chosen to fill the office of register of deeds.
In 1861 he became a candidate for the upper house of the state legislature on the Republican ticket, but
was defeated. The Civil War having broken, out at this time, Mr. Hubbard recognized his re-
responsibility as a citizen, and was not slow in responding to his country's call. He sold his paper in
December of that year and enlisted as a private in Company A, Fifth Minnesota, and was elected
captain of his company on the fifth of February the following year. On March 20, 1862, the regiment
was organized and Mr. Hubbard was advanced to the rank of lieutenant colonel. In May the regiment
was divided, three companies being ordered to the Minnesota frontier, the other seven to the south. Mr.
Hubbard went with the southern division, which participated, almost immediately after its arrival, in the
battle of Farmington, Mississippi, then in the first battle of Corinth, where Colonel Hubbard was badly
wounded. In August of that year he was appointed colonel of his regiment. He was in its command at
the battle of Iuka, the second battle of Corinth, and at the battles of Jackson, Mississippi Springs,
Mechanicsburg and Satartia, Mississippi; Richmond, Louisiana, and the assault and siege of Vicksburg.
After the fall of Vicksburg Colonel Hubbard was given command of the Second Brigade, First Division,
Sixteenth Army Corps. The brigade participated within a very short time in seven battles on Red River
in Louisiana and in Southern Arkansas. Returning to Memphis it also took part in several engagements
in Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri. It was also engaged in the battle of Nashville, Dec. 15 and 16,
1864, reinforcing General Thomas in this battle the brigade was badly cut to pieces; Colonel Hubbard
had two horses killed under him, and was severely wounded. It added to his laurels, however, by
capturing seven pieces of artillery, many stands of colors, and forty per cent more prisoners than were
in its command itself. Colonel Hubbard was breveted brigadier general for conspicuous gallantry on this
occasion. Subsequently he was engaged in military operations near New Orleans and Mobile, and was
mustered out in September, 1865. During his tem of service, General Hubbard was engaged in thirty-
one battles and minor engagements, and has a military record of which his state has reason to be proud.
He returned to his home in Red Wing somewhat broken in health, but after a short rest engaged in the
grain business, his operations becoming quite extensive. Some years later he turned his attention to
railroad building, and in 1876 completed the Midland Railway, from Wabasha to Zumbrota. This road
was subsequently purchased by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul. Mr. Hubbard also organized and
projected the Minnesota Central from Red Wing to Mankato. Later he projected the Duluth, Red Wing
and Southern Railroad, of which he has actual control, as general manager, up to this time. Aside from
his numerous business interests, Mr. Hubbard has always found time to take an active interest in public
affairs. His political affiliations are with the Republican party. In 1868 he was nominated for congress
from the Second Minnesota District, but declined on account of the regularity of the nomination being
questioned. He served in the state senate in the sessions of 1872, 1873, 1874 and 1875, but declined
re-election in the following session. In 1881 he was nominated for the office of governor and elected by
a handsome majority. He was re-elected in 1883, the latter term being for three years. His
administration of this responsible office was marked for the high executive ability shown in the conduct
of the affairs of the state. Many important legislative measures were enacted in response to his
recommendation, among which may he mentioned: The creation of the present railway and warehouse
commission, the existing state grain inspection system, the state inspection of dairy products, the present
state sanitary system, the state board of corrections and charities, the establishment of the state public
school at Owatonna, the organization of the state National Guard, and the change from annual to
biennial elections. During Governor Hubbard's service in the gubernatorial chair the state's finances
were also administered on the strictest business principles, and the taxes levied for state purposes
averaged less than for the ten preceding years, or any similar period since. The rate of taxation was not
only greatly reduced, but the public debt was materially decreased, and the trust funds of the state
increased nearly two million dollars. Among other important positions of public trust which Governor
Hubbard has held, may be mentioned his appointment, in 1886, on the commission to investigate the
state railroad bonds and report on the means to he adopted to secure their surrender; his appointment
by the legislature, in 1874, on the commission to investigate the accounts of the state auditor and state
treasurer; his appointment by the same body, in 1879, on commission of arbitration to adjust the
differences between the state and the state prison factors, and, in 1889, on the commission to compile
and publish a history of Minnesota military organizations in the Civil War and the Indian War at that
time.
In recognition of his distinguished services to his country, Governor Hubbard was appointed a brigadier
general by President McKinley, June 6, 1896, and served throughout the Spanish - American War in
command of the Third Division, Seventh Army Corps. This was a fitting tribute to a long and useful
career, and an honor most worthily bestowed on one of the heroes of our Civil War.
Governor Hubbard is also actively identified the G. A. R. and kindred organizations. He is a member of
Acker Post, G. A. R., St. Paul; Minnesota Commandery of the Loyal Legion, Minnesota Society Sons
of American Revolution, Society of the Army of Tennessee, Society of American and of Foreign Wars.
He is a member of the Red Wing Royal Arch Masons. He was married at Red Wing in May, 1868,
Found on Debbie's
Genealogy Library
Contributed by Dave Baillif Gillespie
Amelia (Thomas) Hubbard, a daughter of Charles Thomas, and a lineal descendant of Sir John Moore. Their union
has been blessed with three children, Charles F., Lucius V. and Julia M.
Amelia (Thomas) Hubbard was born in Kingstown, Ontario, May 13, 1843. She came to
Minnesota in June, 1857, and located in Red Wing. She is a daughter of Charles Thomas a lineal
descendant of Sir John Moore, She married at Red Wing in May, 1868, to Lucius P. Hubbard. Their
union has been blessed with three children, Charles P., Lucius V. Julia M.
Found on Debbie's
Genealogy Library
Contributed by Dave Baillif Gillespie
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