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Lind, John (1854–1930)

Lind, John (1854–1930)

Creator:
John Lind
John Lind, 1899.

"Reform!" was the rallying cry of late nineteenth-century America, and John Lind was in the vanguard. His election as the fourteenth governor of Minnesota and the first non-Republican governor of the state in decades heralded a new progressive era.

Lind was born in Kånna, Småland, Sweden on March 25, 1854. When he was thirteen, he immigrated with his family to a Goodhue County farm in Minnesota. An accident cost him his left hand and may have encouraged him to cultivate his considerable intellectual talents. He was a teacher and school superintendent for several years, studied law at the University of Minnesota, and established a law practice in New Ulm. He married Alice A. Shepard in 1879, and they eventually had four children.

In 1881, President James A. Garfield appointed Lind, then a young Republican lawyer, to a position in the US Land Office. At age thirty-two, Lind was the first Swedish American elected to Congress.

In 1896, after three terms in Congress and a falling-out with more conservative party members, he became the gubernatorial candidate of the Democrats, Populists, and Silver Republicans in Minnesota. He lost this election but not his determination to promote progressive ideals. After serving in the Spanish-American War, Lind ran for governor again. This time, he won and served from January 2, 1899, to January 7, 1901. During his second campaign, he explained his reluctance to commit himself to a particular party by saying, "I am a political orphan."

The "orphan" was a Democrat during his final term in Congress from 1903 to 1905 and then acted as President Woodrow Wilson's personal representative to Mexico from 1913 to 1914, during part of the Mexican Revolution.

To the end, Lind was an original: cerebral, independent, and fiercely committed to his liberal principles. He campaigned zealously for adoption of a more equitable tax burden, enlightened concern for the sick and poor, and direct elections of state officials. He died in Minneapolis on September 18, 1930, having paved the way for subsequent reform in Minnesota.
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Minnesota Historical Society. "Lind, John (1854–1930)." MNopedia, Minnesota Historical Society. https://www3.mnhs.org/mnopedia/search/index/person/lind-john-1854-1930
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First Published: June 06, 2011
Last Modified: April 10, 2025

Related Resources

Primary

John and Norman Lind Papers, 1870–1933
Manuscript Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/00304.xml
Description: Papers of John Lind and his oldest son, Norman.

Records of Governor John Lind, 1899–1904
Minnesota State Archives, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/gov028.xml
Description: Records include general correspondence and materials relating to pardons.

M208-A
Mexican Mission Papers of John Lind, 1913–1931 (Microfilm)
Manuscript Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: Papers relating to Lind's diplomatic mission to Mexico from 1913 to 1914 during the Mexican Revolution and his subsequent involvement with the country. A guide to this microfilm edition of the papers, by Deborah K. Neubeck, is available at http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/m0208.pdf

Lind, John. Biennial Message of Governor John Lind to the Legislature of Minnesota, 1901. [St. Paul?, 1901].

———. Governor Lind's Speech Accepting Renomination for Governor: Delivered at St. Paul Auditorium, September 6, 1900. [St. Paul: Allied Printing Trades Council, 1900.]

———. Labor Day Address Delivered by Gov. John Lind, September 3, 1900. [St. Paul?, 1900?].

———. Message of Governor John Lind to the Legislature of Minnesota, 1899. [St. Paul?, 1899].

———. "The Mexican People." pts. 1 and 2. The Bellman 17 no. 438 (December 5, 1914): 715–719;
17 no. 439 (December 12, 1914): 749-754.

———. Remarks of Hon. John Lind, of Minnesota: on the Wilson Retaliation Bill in the House of Representatives, September 8, 1888. Washington, DC: [s.n.], 1888.

———. Why do the farmers' sons and daughters flock to the city? Address delivered before the Blue Earth County Agricultural Society, September 23, 1892. New Ulm, MN: [s.n., 1892].

Secondary

Calvert, Peter. The Mexican Revolution, 1910–1914: The Diplomacy of Anglo-American Conflict. Cambridge University Press, 1968.

Chrislock, Carl H. "A Cycle in the History of Minnesota Republicanism." Minnesota History 39, no. 3 (Fall 1964): 93–110.
http://collections.mnhs.org/MNHistoryMagazine/articles/39/v39i03p093-110.pdf

Grieb, Kenneth J. The United States and Huerta. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, [1969].

Haley, P. Edward. Revolution and Intervention: The Diplomacy of Taft and Wilson with Mexico, 1910–1917. Cambridge, MA: M.I.T. Press, [1970].

Hicks, John D. "The People's Party in Minnesota." Minnesota History 5, no. 8 (November 1924): 531–560.
http://collections.mnhs.org/MNHistoryMagazine/articles/5/v05i08p531-560.pdf

Hill, Larry D. "The Progressive Politician as a Diplomat: The Case of John Lind in Mexico." The Americas 27, no. 4 (April 1971): 355–372.

Stephenson, George M. John Lind of Minnesota. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1935.

Web

The Minnesota Historical Society. Governors of Minnesota: John Lind.
http://collections.mnhs.org/governors/index.php/10004108

The Minnesota Historical Society's National Register Properties. John Lind House.
http://nrhp.mnhs.org/property_overview.cfm?propertyID=40

Related Images

John Lind
John Lind, 1899.
John Lind
John Lind, c.1885. Photograph by Dwight Bangs.
John Lind campaign button
John Lind 1898 gubernatorial campaign button.
John Lind campaign ribbon
John Lind 1896 gubernatorial campaign ribbon.
Governor John Lind seated in his office in the State Capitol
Governor John Lind in his office at the State Capitol, c.1900.
President William McKinley and Governor John Lind
President William McKinley and Governor John Lind in a review stand as a parade passes by, Minneapolis, c.1900.
John Lind with his wife, Alice and daughters, Winfred and Jenny
John Lind with his wife Alice and daughters Winifred and Jenny, c.1900.
John Lind
Official Governor’s Portrait of John Lind, 1902. Painted by Max Bohm.
John Lind in his office
John Lind in his office, c.1920.
John Lind

John Lind

John Lind, 1899.

Public domain

Holding Location

Minnesota Historical Society

Articles

More Information

John Lind

John Lind

John Lind, c.1885. Photograph by Dwight Bangs.

Public domain

Holding Location

Minnesota Historical Society

Articles

More Information

John Lind campaign button

John Lind campaign button

John Lind 1898 gubernatorial campaign button.
© Minnesota Historical Society    

All rights reserved

Holding Location

Minnesota Historical Society

Articles

More Information

John Lind campaign ribbon

John Lind campaign ribbon

John Lind 1896 gubernatorial campaign ribbon.
© Minnesota Historical Society    

All rights reserved

Holding Location

Minnesota Historical Society

Articles

More Information

Governor John Lind seated in his office in the State Capitol

Governor John Lind in his office in the State Capitol

Governor John Lind in his office at the State Capitol, c.1900.

Public domain

Holding Location

Minnesota Historical Society

Articles

More Information

President William McKinley and Governor John Lind

President William McKinley and Governor John Lind

President William McKinley and Governor John Lind in a review stand as a parade passes by, Minneapolis, c.1900.

Public domain

Holding Location

Minnesota Historical Society

Articles

More Information

John Lind with his wife, Alice and daughters, Winfred and Jenny

John Lind with his wife and daughters

John Lind with his wife Alice and daughters Winifred and Jenny, c.1900.

Public domain

Holding Location

Minnesota Historical Society

Articles

More Information

John Lind

John Lind

Official Governor’s Portrait of John Lind, 1902. Painted by Max Bohm.

Public domain

Holding Location

Minnesota Historical Society

Articles

More Information

John Lind in his office

John Lind in his office

John Lind in his office, c.1920.

Public domain

Holding Location

Minnesota Historical Society

Articles

More Information

Related Articles

Turning Point

In 1913, John Lind begins serving as President Woodrow Wilson's personal diplomatic emissary to Mexico. He holds the position until 1914 and it is a highlight of his political career.

Chronology

1854
John Lind is born in Kånna, Småland, Sweden on March 25.
1879
Lind marries Alice A. Shepard, and they eventually have four children.
1881
President James A. Garfield appoints Lind to a position in the US Land Office.
1896
After three terms in Congress, Lind makes an unsuccessful run for governor of Minnesota.
1899
Lind becomes governor of Minnesota on his second try and holds the office until 1901.
1903
He starts his final term in Congress and serves until 1905.
1913
Lind begins acting as President Woodrow Wilson's personal representative to Mexico.
1930
Lind dies in Minneapolis on September 18.

Related Resources

Primary

John and Norman Lind Papers, 1870–1933
Manuscript Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/00304.xml
Description: Papers of John Lind and his oldest son, Norman.

Records of Governor John Lind, 1899–1904
Minnesota State Archives, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/gov028.xml
Description: Records include general correspondence and materials relating to pardons.

M208-A
Mexican Mission Papers of John Lind, 1913–1931 (Microfilm)
Manuscript Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: Papers relating to Lind's diplomatic mission to Mexico from 1913 to 1914 during the Mexican Revolution and his subsequent involvement with the country. A guide to this microfilm edition of the papers, by Deborah K. Neubeck, is available at http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/m0208.pdf

Lind, John. Biennial Message of Governor John Lind to the Legislature of Minnesota, 1901. [St. Paul?, 1901].

———. Governor Lind's Speech Accepting Renomination for Governor: Delivered at St. Paul Auditorium, September 6, 1900. [St. Paul: Allied Printing Trades Council, 1900.]

———. Labor Day Address Delivered by Gov. John Lind, September 3, 1900. [St. Paul?, 1900?].

———. Message of Governor John Lind to the Legislature of Minnesota, 1899. [St. Paul?, 1899].

———. "The Mexican People." pts. 1 and 2. The Bellman 17 no. 438 (December 5, 1914): 715–719;
17 no. 439 (December 12, 1914): 749-754.

———. Remarks of Hon. John Lind, of Minnesota: on the Wilson Retaliation Bill in the House of Representatives, September 8, 1888. Washington, DC: [s.n.], 1888.

———. Why do the farmers' sons and daughters flock to the city? Address delivered before the Blue Earth County Agricultural Society, September 23, 1892. New Ulm, MN: [s.n., 1892].

Secondary

Calvert, Peter. The Mexican Revolution, 1910–1914: The Diplomacy of Anglo-American Conflict. Cambridge University Press, 1968.

Chrislock, Carl H. "A Cycle in the History of Minnesota Republicanism." Minnesota History 39, no. 3 (Fall 1964): 93–110.
http://collections.mnhs.org/MNHistoryMagazine/articles/39/v39i03p093-110.pdf

Grieb, Kenneth J. The United States and Huerta. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, [1969].

Haley, P. Edward. Revolution and Intervention: The Diplomacy of Taft and Wilson with Mexico, 1910–1917. Cambridge, MA: M.I.T. Press, [1970].

Hicks, John D. "The People's Party in Minnesota." Minnesota History 5, no. 8 (November 1924): 531–560.
http://collections.mnhs.org/MNHistoryMagazine/articles/5/v05i08p531-560.pdf

Hill, Larry D. "The Progressive Politician as a Diplomat: The Case of John Lind in Mexico." The Americas 27, no. 4 (April 1971): 355–372.

Stephenson, George M. John Lind of Minnesota. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1935.

Web

The Minnesota Historical Society. Governors of Minnesota: John Lind.
http://collections.mnhs.org/governors/index.php/10004108

The Minnesota Historical Society's National Register Properties. John Lind House.
http://nrhp.mnhs.org/property_overview.cfm?propertyID=40