William Dugas

William Dugas (/duːɡɑː/, 1809–unknown) was a Canadian-American millwright, farmer, and politician who served in the Minnesota Territorial House of Representatives from 1849 to 1850. He was also responsible for the first sawmill in Saint Paul.

William Dugas
Member of the Minnesota Territorial House of Representatives
In office
September 3, 1849 – December 31, 1850
Personal details
Born1809 (1809)
Three Rivers, Canada
DiedUnknown
Likely Dayton, Minnesota
Political partyDemocratic
OccupationMillwright
Farmer

Biography

Dugas was born in Three Rivers, Lower Canada, in 1809. He came to the United States in 1831 and spent time traveling to locations such as New Orleans, Indian Territory, Iowa, and Illinois.[1] He settled in Saint Paul in 1844. He was employed as a millwright and in 1845, he built the first sawmill in the city. It was powered by water and was situated on Phalen Creek. Eighteen months later, he sold the mill, moved to Little Canada, and engaged in farming.[2]

He was elected to the Territorial House in 1849 and served on the roads committee. He was described as being "somewhat illiterate, but made up for [his] deficiencies in [his] respect by [his] hard common sense and honesty of purpose."[2]

Following his legislative stint, he engaged in the hotel business and ran a ferry in St. Anthony. Later he would move to Dayton and operated a farm there.[3]

References
  1. Folsom, William H. C. (1888). Fifty Years In The Northwest: With An Introduction And Appendix Containing Reminiscences, Incidents And Notes. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  2. Minnesota in Three Centuries, 1655-1908. Publishing Society of Minnesota. 1908. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  3. Collections of the Minnesota Historical Society, Volume 14. Minnesota Historical Society. 1912. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
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