John McKusick (December 18, 1815 – October 26, 1900[3]) was an American lumberman, politician, and pioneer who served four terms as a Minnesota state senator from 1863 to 1867.[1] He was the first mayor of Stillwater, Minnesota, and built the city's first lumber mill.[3]
John McKusick | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 2nd district | |
| In office January 6, 1863 – January 7, 1867 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 18, 1815 Cornish, Maine, U.S.[1] |
| Died | October 26, 1900 (aged 84) Stillwater, Minnesota, U.S.[2] |
| Cause of death | Liver disease |
| Occupation | Lumberman, politician |
Early life
editBorn in Cornish, Maine, in 1815, John McKusick received a common school education before traveling to Illinois in 1839.[1] In 1840, he moved to St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin Territory, and became a lumberman.[1] In 1847, he married Phebe Greely, but she died shortly thereafter. He was soon remarried to Servia Greely in November 1849, with whom he had children Newton, Chester, and Ella.[1][3]
Political career
editMcKusick began his political career as Stillwater's postmaster.[4] He later served as the first Mayor of Stillwater in 1854, the year the city was incorporated.[4] From 1863 to 1867, he served four terms as a Minnesota state senator from the 2nd district, representing Chisago, Kanabec, Pine, and Washington County.[1][5]
Later life
editOn February 18, 1887, Servia died, and McKusick once again remarried a few years thereafter, this time to Ella Knapp.[3]
McKusick died of liver disease on October 26, 1900, in Stillwater.[3] Following his death, his estate was estimated to be worth $100,000 – equivalent to $3,662,400 in 2023 – to $150,000, equivalent to $5,493,600 in 2023.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Folsom 1888, pp. 68–69.
- ^ Easton 1909, p. 157.
- ^ a b c d e "Death of Hon. John McKusick". Stillwater Messenger (obituary). Vol. XLV, no. 10. October 27, 1900. p. 5. Retrieved January 11, 2022 – via the Minnesota Historical Society.
- ^ a b Folsom 1888, pp. 398.
- ^ "McKusick, John". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Minnesota Legislature. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
- ^ "Stillwater News". The St. Paul Globe. Vol. XXIII, no. 305. November 1, 1900. p. 3. Retrieved January 11, 2022 – via the Minnesota Historical Society.
Bibliography
edit- Easton, Augustus B., ed. (1909). History of the Saint Croix Valley. Vol. I. Chicago, IL: H.C. Cooper, Jr. & Co. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
- Folsom, W. H. C. (1888). Edwards, E. E. (ed.). Fifty Years in the Northwest. St. Paul, MN: Pioneer Press Company. LCCN rc01001070. Retrieved November 7, 2021.