2nd Minnesota Legislature

The second Minnesota Legislature first convened on December 7, 1859. The 37 members of the Minnesota Senate and the 80 members of the Minnesota House of Representatives were elected during the General Election of October 11, 1859.

For the 1851–1852 territorial legislature, see 2nd Minnesota Territorial Legislature.
Second Minnesota Legislature
←1st Minnesota Legislature 3rd Minnesota Legislature→
Overview
Legislative bodyMinnesota Legislature
JurisdictionMinnesota, United States
TermDecember 7, 1859 (1859-12-07) – January 8, 1861 (1861-01-08)
Websitewww.leg.state.mn.us
Minnesota State Senate
Members37 Senators
Lieutenant GovernorWilliam Holcombe,
Ignatius L. Donnelly
Party controlRepublican Party
Minnesota House of Representatives
Members80 Representatives
SpeakerAmos Coggswell
Party controlRepublican Party

Sessions

The legislature met in a regular session from December 7, 1859 to March 12, 1860. There were no special sessions of the second legislature.[1]

Party summary
Resignations and new members are discussed in the "Membership changes" section, below.

Senate
Party[2][3]
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
 Total Vacant
Democratic Independent Republican
End of previous Legislature 20 0 17 37 0
Begin 13 1 23 37 0
January 6, 1860 11 25
Latest voting share 30% 3% 68%
Beginning of the next Legislature 2 0 19 21 0

House of Representatives
Party[2][3]
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
 Total Vacant
Democratic Republican
End of previous Legislature 44 36 80 0
Begin 22 58 80 0
December 29, 1859 19 77 3
December 30, 1859 61 80 0
Latest voting share 24% 76%
Beginning of the next Legislature 3 39 42 0

Leadership

Senate
Lieutenant Governor
Until January 2, 1860 William Holcombe (D-Stillwater)[4]
Since January 2, 1860 Ignatius L. Donnelly (R-Nininger)[4]

House of Representatives
Speaker of the House
Amos Coggswell (R-Aurora)[5]

Members

Senate
Name District City Party
Adams, Samuel Emery 19 Monticello Democratic
Andrews, Christopher Columbus 20 Saint Cloud Democratic
Averill, John Thomas 12 Lake City Republican
Baldwin, F. Eugene 24 Clear Lake Republican
Baldwin, J. F. 07 Belle Plaine Republican
Bartholomew, Riley Lucas 04 Richfield Republican
Bishop, Jesse 04 Minneapolis Republican
Bryant, Orlando B. 09 Bloomfield Democratic
Clark, Thomas 26 Beaver Bay Democratic
Cook, Michael 05 Faribault Republican
Cowan, Thomas 17 Traverse des Sioux Democratic
Cruttenden, Joel D. 21 Crow Wing Democratic
Edgerton, Alonzo Jay 13 Mantorville Democratic[nb 1]
Evans, David C. 16 South Bend Republican
Frost, Daniel H. 05 Northfield Republican
Galloway, Hector 08 Oronoco Republican
Gluck, Frederick 10 Brownsville Republican
Hall, William Sprigg 02 Saint Paul Democratic
Heaton, David 23 Saint Anthony Republican
Hodges, Emerson 08 Marion Republican
Holley, Henry W. 09 Chatfield Republican
Kennedy, E. H. 10 Looneyville Republican
King, Ephraim L. 11 Winona Republican
Mackubin, Charles N. 02 Saint Paul Democratic
McKusick, William 01 Stillwater Republican
McLaren, Robert N. 06 Red Wing Republican
Nelson, Socrates 01 Stillwater Democratic
Norris, A. H. 03 Hastings Democratic
O'Ferrall, Ignatius F. 09 Unknown Democratic
Pettit, William F. 15 Owatonna Democratic
Robinson, Eli 03 Hastings Independent
Rogers, Henry C. 13 Mower City Republican
Stannard, Lucius K. 25 Taylors Falls Republican
Stevens, John Harrington 18 Glencoe Democratic
Stewart, Jacob Henry 02 Saint Paul Republican
Taylor, Oscar 22 Saint Cloud Democratic
Watson, George 14 Sumner Republican
Wells, Reuben 09 Canfield Republican
Winn, J. M. 11 Richmond Republican

House of Representatives
Name District City Party
Aaker, Lars K. 06 Alexandria Republican
Abbott, Burroughs 16 Lexington Republican
Abraham, J. P. 04 Minneapolis Republican
Acker, Henry 02 Saint Paul Republican
Anderson, John A. 10 La Crescent Republican
Armstrong, John H. 17 New Ulm Democratic
Arnold, William J. 12 Wabasha Republican
Austin, Adin C. 04 Osseo Republican
Baldwin, George P. 23 Saint Anthony Republican
Barton, Ara 03 Northfield Democratic
Beatty, Hamilton 18 Arlington Democratic
Bixler, Moses 03 West Saint Paul Republican
Brooks, Sheldon 11 Beaver Republican
Burnham, John W. 12 Plainview Republican
Butler, A. H. 09 Newburg Republican
Caskey, Henry 03 Lakeville Republican
Chadderdon, Jonathan 07 Belle Plaine Democratic
Cleary, Peter 07 New Dublin Democratic
Cleveland, Guy K. 14 Winnebago City Republican
Coe, Charles A. 10 Winnebago City Republican
Coggswell, Amos 15 Aurora Republican
Dayton, Daniel 09 Big Spring Republican
Donohue, Mathew H. 18 Henderson Democratic
Fox, Patrick 25 Taylors Falls Republican
Garrard, Lewis Hector 06 Frontenac Republican
Green, George W. 15 Clinton Falls Republican
Green, George W. 08 Pleasant Grove Republican
Hayes, Archibald M. 03 Hastings Republican
Hulett, Luke 05 Faribault Republican
Hunt, Thomas J. 13 Concord Republican
Johnson, R. M. 24 Anoka Republican
Kinkead, Alex 22 Alexandria Democratic
Knox, R. H. 06 Cannon Falls Republican
Langworthy, Benjamin Franklin 13 Grand Meadow Republican
Leavens, Eden N.H. 05 Faribault Republican
Letford, John S. 06 Carver Republican
Mann, Horatio E. 04 Minneapolis Republican
Mantor, Peter 13 Mantorville Republican
McDonough, Thomas 16 Ottawa Republican
Meighen, William 09 Forestville Republican
Mitchell, William B. 11 Winona Republican
Mitsch, George 02 Saint Paul Democratic
Morrison, H. G.O. 03 Pine Bend Republican
Nettleton, William 26 Duluth Democratic
Newell, Stephen 03 Unknown Democratic
Olds, Alfred J. 08 Quincy Republican
Olivier, John B. 02 Saint Paul Democratic
Ozmun, Abraham 08 Rochester Republican
Pfaender, William 17 New Ulm Republican
Purdie, Thomas W. 14 Freeborn Republican
Rehfeld, Frederick 17 New Ulm Democratic
Renz, F. A. 19 Chaska Republican
Robertson, Daniel A. 02 Saint Paul Democratic
Roy, Peter 21 Crow Wing Democratic
Sanborn, John Benjamin 02 Saint Paul Republican
Sawyer, J. Swain 08 Chatfield Republican
Secombe, David A. 23 Saint Anthony Republican
Sheafer, Henry J. 03 Mendota Democratic
Sherwood, Charles D. 09 Elkhorn Republican
Shrewsbury, Irvin 04 Maple Plain Republican
Shriner, Peter 07 Sand Creek Democratic
Shultis, Allen 14 Blue Earth City Republican
Skillman, Francis M. 12 Mazeppa Republican
Stearns, Isaac C. 06 Zumbrota Republican
Stephenson, Oscar 02 Saint Paul Democratic
Stevens, Orlando 11 Minnesota City Republican
Stewart, Jesse I. 15 Wilton Republican
Stoek, Henry 16 Shelbyville Republican
Sweet, George W. 20 Sauk Rapids Democratic
Taylor, Jackson 19 Buffalo Republican
Temanson, George 10 Spring Grove Republican
Thayer, Zenas 11 Warren Republican
Tolman, Moody C. 20 Watab Democratic
Trow, A. H. 09 Chatfield Republican
Van Vorhes, Andrew Jackson 01 Stillwater Republican
Waldhier, Michael 03 Unknown Democratic
Walker, Hiram 09 Rushford Republican
Walker, Orange 01 Marine Republican
Watson, Daniel T. 01 Lakeland Republican
Webster, Ferris 05 Union Lake Republican
White, George T. 12 Saint Mary Republican
Wilkins, Peter 18 Henderson Democratic
Willey, U. S. 20 Forest City Democratic

Membership changes

Senate
District Vacated by Reason for change Successor Date successor
seated
09 Orlando B. Bryant
(D)		 Bryant and O'Ferrall were initially seated with certificates of election issued by order of the Minnesota Supreme Court, but Holley and Wells contested the election. On January 6, 1860, the Senate determined that, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of Minnesota which assigned to each house of the legislature the power to judge the elections and qualifications of its own members, the Supreme Court did not have jurisdiction to determine the membership of the Senate. The Senate then determined that Holley and Wells were entitled to the seats.[8][9] Henry W. Holley
(R)		 January 6, 1860[10][11]
Ignatius F. O'Ferrall
(D)		 Reuben Wells
(R)

House of Representatives
District Vacated by Reason for change Successor Date successor
seated
03 Ara Barton
(D)		 Barton, Newell, and Waldhier were initially seated; however, Bixler, Caskey, and Hayes challenged their election on the grounds that the Democrats in the district had engaged in voter intimidation against Republican voters,[12] and illegal votes were cast. On December 29, 1859, the House of Representatives ruled that Bixler, Caskey, and Hayes were rightfully entitled to the seats, and thereby unseated Barton, Newell, and Waldhier.[13][14][15] Moses Bixler
(R)		 December 30, 1859[16][17][18]
Stephen Newell
(D)		 Henry Caskey
(R)
Michael Waldhier
(D)		 Archibald M. Hayes
(R)

Standing committees

Senate
Committee Republican members Democratic members Indepenednet members
Ways and Means Emerson Hodges, John T. Averill Thomas Cowan N/A
State Affairs Michael Cook, Riley L. Bartholomew Samuel E. Adams N/A
Judiciary Jesse Bishop, Lucius K. Stannard Christopher Columbus Andrews N/A
Internal Improvements John T. Averill, Ephraim L. King Joel D. Cruttenden N/A
Harbors Frederick Gluck, Robert N. McLaren Thomas Clark N/A
Elections F. Eugene Baldwin, Emerson Hodges A. H. Norris N/A
Federal Relations David Heaton, Hector Galloway William Sprigg Hall N/A
Banks Robert N. McLaren, Eli Robinson Alonzo J. Edgerton N/A
Public Lands J. F. Baldwin, Daniel H. Frost William F. Pettit N/A
Printing Jacob H. Stewart, Ephraim L. King Thomas Cowan N/A
Agriculture and Manufacture George Watson, Henry C. Rogers John H. Stevens N/A
Towns and Counties Daniel H. Frost, Frederick Gluck Oscar Taylor N/A
Education and Science J. M. Winn, Jacob H. Stewart Christopher Columbus Andrews N/A
Incorporations Lucius K. Stannard, William McKusick Charles N. Mackubin N/A
Engrossment E. H. Kennedy, Michael Cook A. H. Norris N/A
Militia Riley L. Bartholomew, E. H. Kennedy John H. Stevens N/A
State Prison William McKusick, Jesse Bishop Socrates Nelson N/A
State Library Ephraim L. King, George Watson William F. Pettit N/A
Indian Affairs Henry C. Rogers, David C. Evans Joel D. Crutenden N/A
Public Buildings Hector Galloway, Lucius K. Stannard Ignatius F. O'Ferrall N/A
Roads and Bridges Frederick Gluck Orlando B. Bryant Eli Robinson
Enrollment David C. Evans, J. M. Winn Oscar Taylor N/A
University and University Lands David Heaton, J. F. Baldwin William S. Hall N/A

[19][20]

Notes
  1. Alonzo J. Edgerton was a Republican during his service in the 19th and 20th Minnesota Legislatures,[6] as well as during his short service in the 47th United States Congress. However, the Minnesota Staats-Zeitung listed him as a Democrat in 1859,[3] he ran for Congress in 1860 as a Breckenridge Democrat and, during his service in the 2nd Minnesota Legislature, tended more often than not to vote with the Democrats on party-line votes,[7] indicating that he was a Democrat prior to 1861, and likely changed party affiliations in response to the secession of the Southern states and the American Civil War.

References
  1. "Sessions of the Minnesota State Legislature and the Minnesota Territorial Legislature, 1849-present". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  2. Dubin, Michael J. (2007). Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures: A Year by Year Summary, 1796-2006 (Revised ed.). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. p. 102. ISBN 1476607761.
  3. "Legislatur von Minnesota. Zweite Sißung" (PDF). Minnesota Staats-Zeitung (in German). St. Paul, MN. 10 December 1859. p. 3. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  4. "President and President Pro Tempore of the Minnesota Senate, 1849-present". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  5. "Speakers of the Minnesota House of Representatives, 1849-present". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  6. "Edgerton, Alonzo Jay "A.J."". Legislators Past & Present. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  7. "Journal of the Senate of the Second Legislature of the State of Minnesota". Newson, Moore, Foster & Company, Incidental Printers to Senate. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  8. "Bryant, Orlando? B." Legislators Past & Present. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  9. "O'Ferrall, Ignatius F. "I.F."". Legislators Past & Present. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  10. "Holley, Henry W. "H.W."". Legislators Past & Present. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  11. "Wells, Reuben". Legislators Past & Present. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  12. "Contested Election Petition" (PDF). Minnesota Journal of the House, December 8, 1859. Minnesota House of Representatives. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  13. "Barton, Ara "Asa"". Legislators Past & Present. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  14. "Newell, Stephen". Legislators Past & Present. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  15. "Waldhier, Michael". Legislators Past & Present. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  16. "Bixler, Moses". Legislators Past & Present. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  17. "Caskey, Henry". Legislators Past & Present. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  18. "Hayes, Archibald M. "A.M."". Legislators Past & Present. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  19. "Standing Committees". The Weekly Pioneer and Democrat. Vol. XI, no. 37. Saint Paul, MN. December 23, 1859. p. 5. ISSN 2694-4251. LCCN sn83016751. Retrieved December 25, 2020 – via the Library of Congress.
  20. "Minnesota Legislature | Standing Committees". Weekly Minnesotian & Times. Vol. 9, no. 14. December 24, 1859. p. 4. ISSN 2694-4340. LCCN sn90059501. Retrieved December 25, 2020 – via the Library of Congress.
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