Charles Duncan Gilfillan Explained

Charles Duncan Gilfillan
State House1:Minnesota
District1:1st
Term Start1:January 3, 1865
Term End1:January 1, 1866
Predecessor1:Rudolph H. Fitz
State House2:Minnesota
District2:24th
Term Start2:January 4, 1876
Term End2:January 1, 1877
Birth Date:July 4, 1831

Charles Duncan Gilfillan (July 4, 1831  - December 19, 1902) was an American politician and businessman.

Life

Gilfillan was born in New Hartford, New York and went to the Homer Academy. He studied at the Hamilton College in 1849 and 1850. Gilfillan moved to Saint Paul, Minnesota Territory in 1851. He studied law and was admitted to the Minnesota bar in 1853. He constructed and set up the Saint Paul waterworks project. Gilfillan owned land in Minnesota including farm land in Redwood County, Minnesota. He died from heart problems at his home in Saint Paul, Minnesota.[1] [2] [3]

The 1882 farmstead of Gilfillan and his son is managed by the Redwood County Historical Society.[4] The estate, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, showcases their promotion of progressive farming in southwest Minnesota and is associated with the alienation of seized Dakota reservation land.[5]

Politics

Gilfillan served in the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1865 and 1876 and was a Republican. He then served in the Minnesota Senate from 1876 to 1886. Gilfillan was involved with the Minnesota Historical Society and the Minnesota Valley Historical Society.

Notes and References

  1. http://www.leg.state.mn.us/legdb/fulldetail?ID=13001 Minnesota Legislators Past and Present-Charles Duncan Gilfillan
  2. 'Minnesota Pioneer Dead,' Austin Daily Herald, December 19, 1902, pg. 1
  3. http://redwoodcountyhistoricalsociety.com/charles-duncan-gilfillan/ Redwood County Historical Society-Charles Duncan Gilfillan
  4. Web site: Gilfillan Estate . Redwood County Historical Society . 2013-10-01.
  5. Gimmestad . Dennis A. . Gilfillan . National Park Service . September 1978 . 2013-10-01 .