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Pillsbury, John Sargent (1827–1901)

Pillsbury, John Sargent (1827–1901)

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Source: Governors of Minnesota
Governor John S. Pillsbury
Governor John S. Pillsbury, c.1898.

In forty-six years as a Minnesotan, John Sargent Pillsbury helped establish what eventually became one of the world's largest flour-milling businesses, served three terms as governor, and contributed—generously and often anonymously—to numerous causes he deemed worthy.

Pillsbury was born on July 29, 1827, in Sutton, New Hampshire. In 1855, he toured the western frontier and chose St. Anthony (now part of Minneapolis) as his home. In 1856, he married Mahala Fisk.

Primarily an entrepreneur, Pillsbury pursued commercial enterprises in hardware, real estate, and lumber before founding, with his family, C.A. Pillsbury and Company. Republican leaders, impressed by Pillsbury's industry and integrity, urged him to enter politics, first as a city council member in St. Anthony and later as a state senator. He was first elected state senator in 1862, then reelected in 1864 and 1866, and again in 1870, 1872, and 1874.

As a state senator, Pillsbury saved the University of Minnesota from bankruptcy by streamlining its administration and retiring its debts. Pillsbury had completed only a common-school education, but that did not stop him from becoming president of the University's Board of Regents in 1891. Now, he is called the "Father of the University."

Pillsbury, a Republican, served as Minnesota's eighth governor from January 7, 1876, to January 10, 1882. As governor, he was practical and compassionate, finally resolving a sensitive railroad bond issue in 1881 and increasing aid to those harmed by the grasshopper plagues, which lasted from 1873 to 1877. Pillsbury also encouraged legislators in 1878 to create the office of public examiner to detect and purge corruption in public office.

Pillsbury devoted the last twenty years of his life to commercial and civic projects. His fortune was immense, as were his gifts to various charities and institutions, especially the University. Pillsbury died on October 18, 1901, in Minneapolis.

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Minnesota Historical Society. "Pillsbury, John Sargent (1827–1901)." MNopedia, Minnesota Historical Society. https://www3.mnhs.org/mnopedia/search/index/person/pillsbury-john-sargent-1827-1901
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First Published: June 23, 2011
Last Modified: April 16, 2025

Related Resources

Primary

Records of Governor John S. Pillsbury, 1875–1891
Minnesota State Archives, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/gr00626.xml
Description: Records from the gubernatorial terms of John S. Pillsbury, including materials relating to public lands, railroads, grasshopper relief, seed grain, pardons, and applications for and appointments to office.

A/.P642j
John S. Pillsbury and Family Papers, 1833–1934
Manuscript Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: Financial and legal records relating to John S. Pillsbury's various business enterprises.

Pillsbury, J.S. An address delivered by Hon. John S. Pillsbury before the alumni of the University of Minnesota at the West Hotel, Minneapolis, June 1, 1893: being a sketch of the growth and development of the University for the thirty years in which he has been a regent. [Minneapolis]: Alumni Association, University of Minnesota, [1893?].

———. Annual message of Governor J.S. Pillsbury to the Legislature of Minnesota, delivered January 4, 1877. St. Paul: Pioneer Press Co., 1877.

———. Annual message of Governor J.S. Pillsbury to the Legislature of Minnesota, delivered January 11, 1878. Minneapolis: Johnson, Smith and Harrison, 1878.

———. First biennial message of Governor J.S. Pillsbury to the Legislature of Minnesota, delivered January 6, 1881. St. Paul: J.W. Cunningham, 1881.

———. Inaugural message of Governor J.S. Pillsbury to the Legislature of Minnesota, delivered January 7, 1876. St. Paul: Pioneer Press Co., 1876.

———. Message of Governor J.S. Pillsbury to the Legislature of Minnesota, delivered October 12, 1881, in extra session. St. Paul: Office of Pioneer Press Co., 1881.

Secondary

Pillsbury, Philip W. The Pioneering Pillsburys. New York: Newcomen Society, 1950.

"Portraits and sketches of successful men of Minneapolis, St. Paul, Milwaukee, etc.: John Sargent Pillsbury." Successful American 5, no. 1 (January 1902): 18–19.

"State Builders of the West: John Sargent Pillsbury, Eighth Governor of Minnesota." Western Magazine 13, no. 4 (April 1919): 121–123.

Sturdevant, Lori, with George S. Pillsbury. The Pillsburys of Minnesota. Minneapolis: Nodin Press, 2011.

University of Minnesota Board of Regents. John S. Pillsbury, "Father of the University." Resolutions adopted by the Board of Regents and memorial addresses delivered on commencement day, June 5, 1902. [Minneapolis]: University of Minnesota, 1902.

Yates-Borger, Judith, "Four Generations of the Family Pillsbury: Their successes and failures play against the backdrop of Minnesota --and relentless change," Twin Cities, July 1981, 28–41, 78-84.

Web

The Minnesota Historical Society. Governors of Minnesota.
http://collections.mnhs.org/governors/index.php/10004009

Related Images

Governor John S. Pillsbury
Governor John S. Pillsbury, c.1898.
Governor John Sargent Pillsbury
John Sargent Pillsbury, c.1865. Photograph by Whitney's Gallery.
John S. Pillsbury sign
A wood-framed, glass-plated sign that hung in the Minnesota governor's office from 1876 to 1884.
John S. Pillsbury home
John S. Pillsbury Home, 1005 Fifth Street Southeast, Minneapolis, c.1885. Photograph by William H. Jacoby.
John S. Pillsbury
Official portrait of Governor John S. Pillsbury, 1887. Painted by artist John Antrobus.
Governor John S. Pillsbury
Governor John S. Pillsbury, c.1888. Photograph by Arthur B. Rugg.
Mahala Fisk Pillsbury with her mother, daughter, and grandson
Mahala Fisk Pillsbury with her mother, daughter, and grandson, c.1888. Photograph by Arthur B. Rugg.
Governor John S. Pillsbury and friends at State Fair
Governor John S. Pillsbury and friends at the State Fair, c.1900.
Statue of John S. Pillsbury; students on attached bench
Statue of John S. Pillsbury, 1904. Photograph by Sweet.
Statue of John S. Pillsbury
Close-up, statue of John S. Pillsbury, 1914-1915. Photograph by Charles J. Hibbard.
Governor John S. Pillsbury

Governor John S. Pillsbury

Governor John S. Pillsbury, c.1898.

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Governor John Sargent Pillsbury

Governor John Sargent Pillsbury

John Sargent Pillsbury, c.1865. Photograph by Whitney's Gallery.

Public domain

Holding Location

Minnesota Historical Society

Articles

More Information

John S. Pillsbury sign

John S. Pillsbury sign

A wood-framed, glass-plated sign that hung in the Minnesota governor's office from 1876 to 1884.
© Minnesota Historical Society    

All rights reserved

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Minnesota Historical Society

Articles

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John S. Pillsbury home

John S. Pillsbury home

John S. Pillsbury Home, 1005 Fifth Street Southeast, Minneapolis, c.1885. Photograph by William H. Jacoby.

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Holding Location

Minnesota Historical Society

Articles

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John S. Pillsbury

John S. Pillsbury

Official portrait of Governor John S. Pillsbury, 1887. Painted by artist John Antrobus.

Public domain

Holding Location

Minnesota Historical Society

Articles

More Information

Governor John S. Pillsbury

Governor John S. Pillsbury

Governor John S. Pillsbury, c.1888. Photograph by Arthur B. Rugg.

Public domain

Holding Location

Minnesota Historical Society

Articles

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Mahala Fisk Pillsbury with her mother, daughter, and grandson

Mahala Fisk Pillsbury with her mother, daughter, and grandson

Mahala Fisk Pillsbury with her mother, daughter, and grandson, c.1888. Photograph by Arthur B. Rugg.

Public domain

Holding Location

Minnesota Historical Society

Articles

More Information

Governor John S. Pillsbury and friends at State Fair

Governor John S. Pillsbury and friends at State Fair

Governor John S. Pillsbury and friends at the State Fair, c.1900.

Public domain

Holding Location

Minnesota Historical Society

Articles

More Information

Statue of John S. Pillsbury; students on attached bench

Statue of John S. Pillsbury; students on attached bench

Statue of John S. Pillsbury, 1904. Photograph by Sweet.

Public domain

Holding Location

Minnesota Historical Society

Articles

More Information

Statue of John S. Pillsbury

Statue of John S. Pillsbury

Close-up, statue of John S. Pillsbury, 1914-1915. Photograph by Charles J. Hibbard.

Public domain

Holding Location

Minnesota Historical Society

Articles

More Information

Related Articles

Turning Point

In 1855, New Hampshire-native John Sargent Pillsbury chooses St. Anthony (now part of Minneapolis) as his home. The city and state of Minnesota benefit from his business and political savvy and his benevolent concern for others for years to come.

Chronology

1827
Pillsbury is born in Sutton, New Hampshire, on July 29.
1855
He tours the western frontier and settles in St. Anthony (now part of Minneapolis).
1856
He marries Mahala Fisk.
1891
Pillsbury becomes president of the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents.
1876
He begins the first of three terms as governor of Minnesota.
1901
Pillsbury dies in Minneapolis on October 18.

Related Resources

Primary

Records of Governor John S. Pillsbury, 1875–1891
Minnesota State Archives, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/gr00626.xml
Description: Records from the gubernatorial terms of John S. Pillsbury, including materials relating to public lands, railroads, grasshopper relief, seed grain, pardons, and applications for and appointments to office.

A/.P642j
John S. Pillsbury and Family Papers, 1833–1934
Manuscript Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: Financial and legal records relating to John S. Pillsbury's various business enterprises.

Pillsbury, J.S. An address delivered by Hon. John S. Pillsbury before the alumni of the University of Minnesota at the West Hotel, Minneapolis, June 1, 1893: being a sketch of the growth and development of the University for the thirty years in which he has been a regent. [Minneapolis]: Alumni Association, University of Minnesota, [1893?].

———. Annual message of Governor J.S. Pillsbury to the Legislature of Minnesota, delivered January 4, 1877. St. Paul: Pioneer Press Co., 1877.

———. Annual message of Governor J.S. Pillsbury to the Legislature of Minnesota, delivered January 11, 1878. Minneapolis: Johnson, Smith and Harrison, 1878.

———. First biennial message of Governor J.S. Pillsbury to the Legislature of Minnesota, delivered January 6, 1881. St. Paul: J.W. Cunningham, 1881.

———. Inaugural message of Governor J.S. Pillsbury to the Legislature of Minnesota, delivered January 7, 1876. St. Paul: Pioneer Press Co., 1876.

———. Message of Governor J.S. Pillsbury to the Legislature of Minnesota, delivered October 12, 1881, in extra session. St. Paul: Office of Pioneer Press Co., 1881.

Secondary

Pillsbury, Philip W. The Pioneering Pillsburys. New York: Newcomen Society, 1950.

"Portraits and sketches of successful men of Minneapolis, St. Paul, Milwaukee, etc.: John Sargent Pillsbury." Successful American 5, no. 1 (January 1902): 18–19.

"State Builders of the West: John Sargent Pillsbury, Eighth Governor of Minnesota." Western Magazine 13, no. 4 (April 1919): 121–123.

Sturdevant, Lori, with George S. Pillsbury. The Pillsburys of Minnesota. Minneapolis: Nodin Press, 2011.

University of Minnesota Board of Regents. John S. Pillsbury, "Father of the University." Resolutions adopted by the Board of Regents and memorial addresses delivered on commencement day, June 5, 1902. [Minneapolis]: University of Minnesota, 1902.

Yates-Borger, Judith, "Four Generations of the Family Pillsbury: Their successes and failures play against the backdrop of Minnesota --and relentless change," Twin Cities, July 1981, 28–41, 78-84.

Web

The Minnesota Historical Society. Governors of Minnesota.
http://collections.mnhs.org/governors/index.php/10004009