Mower County, Minnesota - Chapter 9: County Representation, 1911

Chapter 9: County Representation

Mower County in Seventh and Fourth Council Districts - Fillmore and Mower County Made the Eighth Council District - First Representative From This County Takes His Seat - Constitutional Convention - Mower and Dodge Counties Become the Thirteenth Legislative District - Mower and Dodge County Become the Fifteenth District - Mower County Becomes the Fourth District - Changed to the Third District - Later to the Sixth District - Congressional Representation.

On July 7, 18-1!), Governor Alexander Ramsey, l)y proclamation, divided the territory into council districts; Mower county, with ihc rest of southern ^linnesota (exclu.sive of the settlements on the banks of tlic ^Missi.ssippi"), coming witliin tlie limits of the Hcveiith district.

184i) - The first territorial legislature met on Septeiulier 3, and adjourned November 1. The seventh district was represented in the council by Martin McLeod, of Lac qui Parle; and in the house by Alexis Biiilly, of .Meiidola. and Oideon II. Pond, of Oak Grove. Although Mower county was included in the seventh district, no

1851 - The second territorial legislature assenihled January 1 and adjourned IMarch 31. The seventh district was represented in the council hy IMartin McLeod, of L/ae qui Parle ; and in the house by B. H. Randall, of Ft. Snelling, and Alexander Faribault, of Faribault. IVIower county was still without settlers. By the apportionment of this legislature, the territory having been divided into counties, the fourth district was made to constitute Wabasha and Washington counties, and the precincts of St. Paul and Little Canada jointly. It was understood that Wabasha county was to be one representative district. The present Mower county was then included in Wabasha county.

1852 - The thii-d territorial legislature assembled January 7, and adjourned ]\Iarcli 6. The fourth district was represented in the council by Lorenzo A. Babcock, of Sauk Rapids; and in the house by Fordyce H. Richards, of Reed's Landing.

1853 - The fourth territorial legislature assembled Januar}^ 5, and adjourned March 5. At this session the boundary lines of many of the counties were changed, and Mower county was included within the limits of Rice county. The boundaries of the legislative districts, however, remained the same, and the present j\Iower county remained in the district -which comprised the area included in Wabasha county by the act of 1851. At the session of 1853 the fourth district was represented in the council by Lorenzo A. Babcock; and in the house by James ("Bully") Wells, of a settlement at the head of Lake Pepin.

1854 - The fifth territorial legislature assembled January 4 and adjourned March 4. The fourth district was represented in the council by AVilliam Freeborn, of Red Wing; and in the house by 0. M. Lord, of what is now Dodge county.

1855 - The sixth territorial legislature assembled January 3 and adjourned ilareh 3. The fourth district was represented in the council by William Freeborn; and in the house by Clark AY. Thompson, of the present Houston coimty. At this session Mower county was created with practically her present boundaries, with the exception of the twelve sections that were annexed to Olmsted coiinty. May 26, 1857. The creation act passed February 20, 1855. At the same session, Houston, Fillmore and Mower county were constituted the eighth district.

1856 - The seventh territorial legislature assembled Jamuiry 2 and adjourned ilarch 1. In the meantime tlie Republican party had been organized, and a convention met at St. Paul, July 25, 1855. Of sixteen delegates selected from Freeborn and ^Mower counties. l)ut one was present. Tlie Democratic convention as- sembled July 25, 1855. and was better represented from this county. A third party had also been organized by delegates seceding from the Democratic convention. Clark W. Thompson, of Houston county, and Benjamin F. Tillotson, of Fillmore county, represented the eighth district in the sixth territorial legislature. The representatiA'es in the house from this district were W. B. Gere, Samuel Hull. "William F. Dunbar, William B. Covell and Martin G. Thompson. "William B. Covell was a Democrat from the east end of Mower county. At the election of October 9, 1855, there had been two candidates for the legislature in this county, Covell, Democrat, from the east end, and Alanson B. "Vaughan, Republican, from the west end. Vaughan was elected by a good majority and obtained a certificate of election from the judges, but upon application to the house for admission, he found that Covell had made returns of election to the register of deeds in Houston, and thus equipped, had been dvily admitted to a seat in the house. Thus "Vaughan was the first elected representative from Mower county, and Covell the first to hold the seat.

1857 - The eighth territorial legislature assembled Januarj^ 7 and adjourned j\Iarch 7. Clark "W. Thompson and Benjamin F. Tillotson again represented the eighth district in the council. The representatives in the house were "William B. Gere, D. F. Chase, "W. J. Howell, John M. Berry and M. G. Thompson. Berry was from Mower county. An extra session of this legislature assembled April 27 and adjourned ]\Iay 23. It was this eighth territorial legislature that on May 26, 1857, set off twelve sections of ]\rower county and added them to Houston county.

Under the enabling act of congress, approved March 3, 1857, a constitutional convention of 108 members (each council district to elect two delegates for each councilman and representative it was entitled to) was authorized to meet at the capitol on the second Monday in July, to frame a state constitution, and to submit it to the people of the territory. The election was held on the first Monday in June. July 13 the delegates met, but a disagreement arising in the organization, the Republican mem- ])ers organized one body and the Democrats organized sepai-ately. Each of these bodies claiming to be the legal constitutional convention, proceeded with the work of forming an instrument to be .submitted to the people. After some days an understanding was effected between them, and by means of a committee of conference the same constitution was framed and adopted l)y both bodies. On being sul)initfcd to the ]ieopl(\ ()ctol)er 13. it was ratified.

Charles Hanson, H. W. Holley, John Cleghorn, A. H. Butler, Robert Lyle and Boyd Phelps. In the Democratic wing, the eighth district had but one representative, James C. Day.

By the apportionment of 1857, set forth in the state constitution adopted October 13, Mower and Dodge counties were constituted the thirteenth district, with two representatives in the senate and three in the house.

1857-58 - The first state legislature assembled December 2, 1857. On March 25, 1858, it took a recess until June 2, and finally adjourned August 12. The thirteenth district was represented in the senate by Edward W. Somers and Boyd Phelps. For some reason the records show only one member, George 0. Way, in the house from this district, though the district was entitled to three representatives.

1859-60 - The second state legislature assembled December 7, 1859, and adjourned March 12, 1860. Henry C. Rogers and A. J. Edgerton represented the thirteenth district in the senate, and T. F. Hunt, Peter ^Mantor and B. F. Langworthy in the house. This legislature reapportioned the legislative districts, and Mower and Dodge counties became the fifteenth.

1861 - The third state legislature assembled January 8 and adjourned March 8. The fifteenth district was represented in the senate by J. AY. Flake : and in the house by Peter Mantor and Thomas J. Hunt.

1862 - The fourth state legislature assembled January 7 and adjourned ]\Iarch 7. The fifteenth district was represented in the senate by Joseph H. Clark, and in the house by S. Bostwick and H. C. Rogers. On account of the Indian outbreak, an extra session was called by the governor, and it assembled September 9 and adjourned September 29.

1863 - The fifth state legislature assembled January 6 and adjourned March 6. The fifteenth district was represented in the senate by Joseph H. Clark, and in the hoiise by B. D. Sprague and S. P. Bacon.

1864 - The sixth state legislature assembled January 5 and adjourned March 4. D. B. Sprague represented the fifteenth district in the senate and Royal Crane andAugustus Barlow in the house.

1865 - The seventh state legislature assembled January 3 and adjourned IMarch 3. The representatives from the fifteenth district were D. B. Sprague in the senate and Royal Crane and C. D. Tuthill in the house.

1866 - The eighth state le"gislature assembled January 2 and adjourned March 2. The fifteenth district was represented in the senate by Samuel Lord, and in the house by C. J. Felch and D. B. Johnson, Jr., botli from Mower county. This legislature reappor-

18fj7 - The ninth state legislature assemhled January 8 and adjourned Mareh 8. The tifteenth district was represented in the senate hy Samuel Lord, and in tlie liouse by C. J. Feleh and D. B. Johnson, Jr.

1868 - The tenth legislature assembled January 7 and adjourned ]\Iareh 6. The fifteenth district Avas represented in the senate by W. E. Harris, and in the liouse l)y D. A. Shaw and E. K. Proper.

1869 - The eleventh legislature assembled January 5 and adjourned ^lareh 5. W. E. Harris represented the fifteenth district in the senate, and T. J. Hunt and E. K. Proper in the house.

1870 - The twelfth legislature assembled January 4 and adjourned ]\Iarch 4. The fifteenth district w^as represented in the senate by Samuel Lord, and in the house by G. ^L Cameron and H. A. Brown.

1871 - The thirfeenth legislature assembled January 8 and adjourned March 3. The fifteenth disfrict was represented in the senate by Samuel Lord, and in the house by Harlan AV. Page, of Mower county, and AV. G. Telfer. This legislature reapportioned the state, and for the first time Alower county became a district by itself, being designated the foui-th district, with one senator and two representatives. Since that time Mower county has remained in a separate district.

1872 - The fourteenth legislatiu-e assemhled January 2 and adjourned ]\Iarch 1. Sherman Page represented the fourth district in the senate, and John T. AVilliams and J. ]\L Wyckoff in the house.

187;? - The fifteenth legislature assembled Januai-y 7 and adjourned Marcii 7. Tlie representatives from the fourth district were N. K. Nobh- in the senate and O. O. Finhart and E. J. Stimson in the house.

187() - The eigliteenth legislature assembled January 4 and adjourned March 'A. Mower county was represented in the senate by 1{. 1. Smith, and in the house by IL F. Deming and C. F. Green-

1878 - The tAventieth legislature assembled January 8 and adjourned IMarch 8. Mower county was represented in the senate by George W. Clough, and in the house by S. J. Sanborn and H. K. Volstad.

1879 - The twenty-first legislature assembled Jamiary 7 and adjourned jMarch 7. IMower county was represented in the senate by \V. H. Officer, and in the house by J. F. Goodsell and J. D. Allen.

1881 - The twenty-second legislature assembled January 4 and adjourned March 4. IMower county was represented in the senate by W. H. Officer, and in the house by J. D. Allen and P. A. Peterson. An extra session called to consider a constitutional question in regard to action taken on the state railroad bonds at the regular session, assembled October 11 and closed November 13. This legislature reapportioned the state and Mower county became the third district.

1883 - The twenty-third legislature assembled January 2 and adjourned March 2. The third district was represented in the senate by "W. L. Hollister, and in the house by John Frank and J. F. Carson.

1885 - The twentj^-fourth legislature assembled January 6 and adjourned March 6. Mower county was represented in the senate by W. T. Wilkins, and in the house by H. W. Light! ey and J. F. Carson.

1887 - The twenty-fifth legislature assembled January 4 and adjourned March 4. IMower county was represented in the senate by O. W. Gibson, and in the house by J. J. Furlong and E. S. Hoppin.

1889 - The twenty-sixth legislature assembled January 8 and adjourned April 23. Mower county was represented in the senate by O. W. Gibson, and in the house by E. S. Hoppin and H. W. Lightley.

1891 - Although a reapportionment had been made in 1889, Mower county still remained the third district. The twentyseventh legislature assembled January 6 and adjourned April 20. The third district was represented in the senate by Oscar Ayers and in the house by J. -J. Fiirlong and G. W. Benner.

1893 - The twenty-eighth legislature convened January 3 .nid adjoiu'ned April 18. IMower county was represented in the third district by Oscar Ayers and in the house by J. J. Furlong and G. W. Benner.

1897 - The thirtieth legislature assembled January 5 and adjourned April 21. Mower county was represented in the senate by S. Sweningsen, and in the house of C. L. "West and L. C. Seribner. In the reapportionment of this legislature IMower county became the sixth district, with one senator and two repi'esentatives.

1899 - The thirty-first legislature assembled January 3 and adjourned April 18. The sixth district was represented in the senate by S. Sweningsen, and in the hoiise by C. L. West and L. C. Scribner.

1901 - The thirty-second legislature assembled January 8 and adjourned April 12. Mower county was represented in the senate by S. Sweningsen, and in the house by George W. AV. Harden and W. A. Nolan. An extra session assembled February 4, 1902, and adjourned ]\Iarch 11 of the same year.

1903 - The thirty-third legislature assembled January 6 and adjourned April 21. i\Iower county was represented in the senate by A. S. Campbell, and in the house by W. A. Nolan and H. W. Lightley.

1905 - The thirty-fourth legislature assembled January 3 and adjourned April 18. Mower county was represented in the senate by A. S. Campbell, and in the house by W. A. Nolan and G. W. W. Harden.

1907 - The thirty-fifth legislature assembled Januar.y 8 and adjourned April 24. Mower county was represented in the senate by A. S. Campbell, and in the hoi;se by W. A. Nolan and W. L. ITollister.

1909 - The thirty-sixth legislature assemliled January 5 and adjourned January 5. jMower county Avas represented in the senate by A. S. Campbell, and in the house by "W. "\V. Nolan and Hubbard Carey.

1911 - The thirty-seventh legislature assembled January 3, 1911. Mower county was represented in tlie senate by Charles F. Cook, and in th(> house by Ralph Crane and Frank S. Christie.

Congressional Representation

The first congressional district, in which, from the time of the admission of Minnesota as a state, IMower county has l)een included, has been represented in congress as follows: J. A. Cavanaugh, Democrat, IMarch 12, 1858, to ]\Iarch 4, 1859; William Windom, Republican, I\Iarch 4, 1859, to March 4, 1869; Morton S. Wilkinson, Republican. :\Iarcli 4, 18()9, to :\rarch 4, 1871; Mark 11. Dunnell, Republican, .Alareh 4, 1871, to IMarch 4,

Until Minnesota became a state it had only one representative in congress, a territorial delegate, who was not allowed to vote. The first territorial delegate from Minnesota was Henry H. Sibley, who was first sent ostensibly as a delegate from the territory of Wisconsin, though living on the present site of Mendota, at the mouth of the Minnesota river. He sat as a territorial delegate from January 15, 1849, to December 5, 1853. He was succeeded by Henry M. Rice, who served imtil December 7, 1857. W. W. Kingsbury was elected to succeed him and served until December 6, 1858. As has been noted, the United States senate, February 23, 1857, passed an act authorizing the people of Minnesota to form a constitution preparatory to their admission to the union. In accordance with the provisions of this enabling act, a constitutional convention was held July 13, 1857, at the territorial capital. October 13, 1857, an election was held, when the constitution was adopted and a full list of state officers elected. Three congressmen were also elected at this time - George L. Becker, W. W. Phelps and J. M. Cavanaugh - but it was afterward found that Minnesota was entitled to only two congressmen and the matter was amicably adjusted by the withdrawal of Mr. Becker. By this election, the Messrs. Phelps and Cavanaugh became the first members of congress from the state of Minnesota.

In the winter of 1857-58 the legislature divided the state into two congressional districts, the southern part becoming the first congressional district and the northern part the second. Mower county thus becoming a part of the first congressional district.

By the apportionment of 1872, the state was divided into three congressional districts. The first district contained the counties of Winona, Houston, Olmsted, Fillmore, Dodge, Steele, Mower, Freeborn, Waseca, Faribault, Blue Earth, Watonwan, Martin, Jackson, Cottonwood, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone and Rock.

By the apportionment of 1881, the state was divided into five congressional districts. The first district contained the counties of Houston, Fillmore, Mower, Freeborn, Steele, Dodge, Olmsted, Winona and Wabasha.

By the apportionment of 1891, the state was divided into seven congressional districts. The first district contained tlie counties of Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, IMower, Olmsted, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca and Winona.

By the apportionment of 1901, the state was divided into nine congressional districts. This apportionment has continued to the present day. The first district now consists of the counties of Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn. Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Steele, "Wabasha, "Waseca and "Winona.