James Beatty (Minnesota pioneer)
Minnesota Territory pioneer and politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James B. Beatty (April 27, 1816 – January 3, 1892) was an American merchant, pioneer, farmer, trader, hotel owner, and territorial legislator. Originally from Ohio, Beatty arrived in Minnesota in 1848 and was a leading figure in the state's early days. He served two non-consecutive terms in the Minnesota Territorial Legislature in 1852 and 1855.
James Beatty | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Minnesota Territorial House of Representatives | |
| In office January 3, 1855 – January 1, 1856 | |
| In office January 7, 1852 – January 4, 1853 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 27, 1816 Fairfield County, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | January 3, 1892 (aged 75) Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Children | 3 |
| Occupation |
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Early life
James B. Beatty was born on April 27, 1816, in Fairfield County, Ohio. At the age of fourteen, he relocated to Cass County, Michigan, before becoming a government farmer for the Ho-Chunk near Fort Atkinson, Iowa.[1] Beatty came to Minnesota, at the time part of Wisconsin Territory, in 1848 and led trading posts in Sauk Rapids and the counties of Blue Earth and Anoka.[2] Beatty was connected with the fur trade in Minnesota, and was described by The St. Paul Globe as "interested at (Itasca, Minnesota)."[3]
Political career
Beatty was a member of the Democratic Party.[3] He was elected as the messenger for the second session of the Minnesota Territorial House of Representatives in 1851, though resigned his position soon after.[4] Beatty was a representative for the fifth district of the Minnesota Territorial House of Representatives, representing Benton and Cass counties, in 1852 and again in 1855.[1][2]
Post-legislative career and death
In 1855, Beatty was a builder of the military road from Big Lake to Crow Wing.[3] Beatty was engaged as a merchant in Hennepin County from 1860 to 1869.[2] He resided in Sauk Rapids beginning around 1866, keeping a hotel there until failing health forced him to retire. He died at his home in Sauk Rapids on January 3, 1892, at the age of 76.[3]
Personal life
Beatty was an Episcopalian and was survived by his wife and three children: one son and two daughters.[3]