Henry Hastings Sibley facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Henry Hastings Sibley
Governor of Minnesota
In office May 24, 1858 – January 2, 1860
Lieutenant	William Holcombe
Preceded by	Samuel Medary (Minnesota Territory)
Succeeded by	Alexander Ramsey
Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from the Minnesota Territory's at-large district
In office July 7, 1849 – March 3, 1853
Preceded by	Constituency established
Succeeded by	Henry Rice
Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from the Wisconsin Territory's at-large district
In office October 30, 1848 – March 3, 1849
Preceded by	John H. Tweedy
Succeeded by	Constituency abolished
Personal details
Born	(1811-02-20)February 20, 1811 Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Died	February 18, 1891(1891-02-18) (aged 79) Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouses	Red Blanket Woman Sarah Hume Steele
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	United States Union
Branch/service	United States Army Union Army
Years of service	1862–1866
Rank	Brigadier General, USV Brevet Major General, USV
Commands	District of Minnesota
Battles/wars	American Civil War Dakota War of 1862

Henry Hastings Sibley (born February 20, 1811 – died February 18, 1891) was an important figure in early Minnesota history. He was a fur trader and the first person to represent the Minnesota Territory in the United States House of Representatives. Later, he became the first governor of the state of Minnesota. Sibley also served as a U.S. military leader during the Dakota War of 1862 and a later expedition into Dakota Territory in 1863.

Many places are named after him, including Sibley County, Minnesota; Sibley, North Dakota; Sibley, Iowa; Hastings, Minnesota; Sibley Memorial Highway; and Sibley State Park.

Early Life and Education

Henry Hastings Sibley was born in Detroit, which was then part of the Michigan Territory. His father, Solomon Sibley, was a respected judge and politician. Solomon Sibley was the first mayor of Detroit. He also served in the U.S. Congress for the territory. Henry's father was appointed the first U.S. Attorney for Michigan Territory. He later became Chief Justice of the Michigan Territorial Supreme Court.

Henry's mother, Sarah Whipple Sproat, came from a family of American Revolutionary War heroes. Her father, Colonel Ebenezer Sproat, was a distinguished officer. Her grandfather, Commodore Abraham Whipple, served in the Continental Navy.

Henry was the fourth of eight children. When he was very young, during the War of 1812, his family faced danger. Fort Detroit was surrounded by British and Native American forces. Henry's mother and children were inside the fort for safety. His father was commanding a militia company outside. The family later had to leave Detroit and travel through forests to Ohio. They returned a year later after the U.S. recaptured Detroit.

As a boy, Henry went to the Academy of Detroit. He also had private tutors. His father wanted him to become a lawyer. However, Henry found law studies boring. He wanted a more active life. His parents eventually agreed to let him choose his own career.

Starting in the Fur Trade

In 1828, at age seventeen, Henry Sibley began working in the fur trading business. His first job was as a clerk in Sault Ste. Marie. This was a major fur trading center. He then worked for Susan Johnston, the widow of a fur trader. She was the daughter of an Ojibwe chief.

In 1829, Sibley became an apprentice for the American Fur Company in Mackinac. He signed a five-year contract with the company in 1830. He traveled a lot for the company. In 1832, he made a risky journey to Detroit by canoe. He successfully got important licenses for the company. From 1832 to 1834, he bought supplies for the company. This involved traveling on horseback through rural Ohio and Pennsylvania in winter.

In 1834, the American Fur Company was reorganizing. Sibley asked to leave his contract early. His parents wanted him to return home. He had also been offered better-paying jobs at banks. However, the company offered him a better deal. He became a junior partner in the company's Western Outfit. He would manage the fur trade with the Dakota north and west of Lake Pepin. His base would be at the mouth of the Minnesota River. Sibley was excited by the description of the Minnesota Valley as a "hunter's paradise."

Fur Trade in Minnesota

In October 1834, 23-year-old Henry Sibley arrived in St. Peters (now Mendota, Minnesota). He had traveled a long way through the wilderness. He took over four trading posts as the head of the company's "Sioux Outfit."

The Sioux Outfit

Henry Sibley officially became the head of the American Fur Company's Sioux Outfit in 1835. He was 24 years old. The main office was in St. Peters (now Mendota). This store served five nearby Mdewakanton Dakota villages. It also served the mixed-heritage community near Fort Snelling. Sibley also managed three distant trading posts. These posts were staffed by hired clerks.

Sibley had hoped to make a quick fortune. However, it was becoming harder to profit from the traditional fur trade. The number of wild animals was declining. More hunters were competing for fewer animals. This drove the herds further north. Despite this, Sibley worked hard to maximize profits.

Sibley tried to make the fur trade more like a modern business. He told his traders to limit how much credit they gave to hunters. Many Dakota hunters complained about these changes. They said they could not get basic supplies like ammunition. Sibley also removed a popular fur trader, Hazen Mooers. He replaced him with Joseph R. Brown.

By 1836, the Sisseton and Wahpeton Dakota were protecting their hunting areas more. They even refused access to the Mdewakanton Dakota. The Mdewakantons were struggling and relied on western hunting grounds. Sibley's business depended on furs from the Mdewakantons. He traveled to Traverse des Sioux to help solve the problem. He threatened to pull out all American Fur Company traders if the Mdewakantons were not allowed to hunt.

Government Contracts

Sibley worked to get government contracts for the American Fur Company. This helped reduce competition. From 1836 to 1839, Sibley ran the army sutler's store at Fort Snelling. This store supplied goods to the soldiers. Controlling this store helped the fur traders keep their local monopoly. It stopped the Dakota from buying goods directly from the army store.

In 1835, Sibley also pushed for a post office at Fort Snelling. He wanted regular mail service from Prairie du Chien. He succeeded, and the American Fur Company got the mail delivery contract. Mail was carried by steamboats in summer. In winter, Sibley and his partners had to hire runners.

Land Cession Treaties of 1837

The Panic of 1837 was a financial crisis. It caused an economic depression. Fur prices dropped sharply. Many furs became worthless. The partners of the American Fur Company faced financial ruin.

However, in 1837, the U.S. government signed three major treaties. These were with the Ojibwe, Dakota, and Winnebago tribes. The tribes agreed to give up their lands east of the Mississippi River. In return, they would receive payments. Sibley and the American Fur Company partners hoped to get money from the government. This money would cover their business losses, which they called "Indian debts."

On September 29, 1837, the "Treaty with the Sioux" was signed in Washington, D.C. The Mdewakanton leaders gave up their land east of the Mississippi River. They received cash and goods upfront. They also received annual payments. A large sum was set aside to pay traders for Mdewakanton debts. Sibley felt the treaty was unfair. He believed the government should have paid more.

The treaties took many months to be approved by Congress. Congress was hesitant to spend money during the economic depression. The area around the Upper Mississippi River changed quickly. Many timber speculators and settlers moved in. They settled on land that still belonged to the Dakota. This caused tension. Many Mdewakanton people stopped hunting. They believed the promised payments would arrive soon. However, the funds and supplies were delayed. This led to hardship and near starvation for some tribes.

The treaties were finally approved in June 1838. But it took many more months for payments to reach the traders and tribes. In 1842, the American Fur Company sold its business in the region. The company declared bankruptcy later that year. Sibley then traded independently.

Marriage and Family Life

When Henry Sibley first arrived in St. Peters (now Mendota, Minnesota) in 1834, he found only a few log huts. He quickly asked for new buildings. In 1836, Sibley began building his home. This home is now known as the Sibley House Historic Site. It is considered the oldest stone house in Minnesota. He made changes to the house over the years. This was to fit his growing family.

Sibley hosted many famous travelers in his home. This included French geographer Joseph Nicollet. Sibley famously said he was a citizen of several territories without moving. This was because the boundaries of the territories changed around his home in Mendota. He lived there until 1862. He then sold his home and moved to St. Paul.

His Daughter Helen

During the winter of 1840–41, Sibley had a relationship with Red Blanket Woman. She was of Dakota and French descent. In August 1841, their daughter Helen Hastings Sibley was born. She was also known as Wakiye (Bird).

When Helen was about six years old, Henry Sibley arranged for her to be adopted. She was adopted by William and Martha Brown. Martha Brown was a teacher. Helen spoke French when she came to live with them. Sibley provided financial support for Helen. He paid the Browns and funded her education. She attended boarding school in the eastern U.S. As a young woman, Helen was accepted in white society. She had a good income from Sibley's investments.

Henry Sibley maintained a public relationship with Helen. They were often seen chatting. In 1858, Helen was part of a parade in St. Paul. She was one of 33 young women representing the states. The newspaper identified her as "Helen Sibley."

In 1859, Helen married Sylvester Sawyer, a doctor. Governor Sibley gave her away at her wedding. Sadly, Helen died less than a year later from scarlet fever. She had just given birth to a baby girl who also died. Sibley deeply mourned the loss of his first child.

Marriage to Sarah Jane Steele

On May 2, 1843, Henry Sibley married Sarah Jane Steele. She was 20 years old. Sarah Jane was the sister of Franklin Steele. Franklin Steele was an entrepreneur. He had started a business at Saint Anthony Falls.

Sarah Jane Sibley was active in civic life. From 1856 until her death in 1869, she worked for the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association. She was in charge of fundraising in Minnesota. This group worked to preserve Mount Vernon, George Washington's home. She appointed many "lady managers" to help. Sarah Jane tried to bring people together despite political differences.

In her later years, Sarah Jane suffered from illness. She was often confined to bed. In 1862, the Sibley family moved to a new home in St. Paul. Sarah had wanted this move for a long time. Sarah Jane Sibley died in 1869 at age 46.

Other Children

Henry and Sarah Jane Sibley had at least nine children. Four of them lived to adulthood. These were Augusta Ann, Sarah Jane, Charles Frederic, and Alfred Brush. Five children died young.

In 1868, their eldest daughter Augusta married Captain Douglas Pope. When his wife Sarah died in 1869, Henry had two young sons to care for. His sister-in-law, Abbie Potts, helped him. She took care of the boys and served as his housekeeper. After Augusta's husband died, she and her three daughters moved in with Henry.

Other Business Ventures

After the 1837 treaties, the fur trade changed. It became more focused on government payments to Native American tribes. The white population in the Upper Mississippi grew. This led to more general trade. Henry Sibley tried to expand his business into other areas. However, he did not always find great commercial success.

Timber and Sawmill Business

As early as 1837, Sibley got a contract with the Ojibwe of the St. Croix valley. This allowed him to cut timber along the St. Croix and Snake Rivers. Sibley and his partners also built a sawmill at Chippewa Falls. The mill started in 1840 but was sold in 1845.

Steamboat Investments

In the 1840s, Sibley invested in the steamboat industry. He bought shares in several boats. In 1844, he acquired a share of a steamboat called the "Lynx." In 1847, Sibley and others bought shares in a packet company. This company ran steamboats on a regular schedule. They traveled between Galena, Illinois and ports in Minnesota.

General Merchandise Store

In 1844, Sibley opened a general merchandise store in Saint Paul. It sold goods to settlers. Many customers paid with fur pelts and deerskins. The store grew as the population of lumbermen and miners increased. Sibley also opened the first general store in Mendota.

Trade with Métis and Ojibwe

In 1842, Sibley's company changed its focus. They started trading for buffalo robes. Sibley also began trading with the Ojibwe and the Métis from the north. Many Métis and Ojibwe hunters crossed the border from Canada. They could get better prices for their furs from Sibley.

In 1844, Sibley's partner, Norman Kittson, built a trading post at Pembina. From Pembina, large groups of carts traveled south. They carried goods along trails to the Minnesota valley. These groups were protected from possible attacks by Dakota hunters. The Dakota were unhappy about the buffalo hunting by the Métis.

Providing Supplies for British Troops

In 1846, British troops arrived in the Red River settlement. They needed supplies. The Hudson's Bay Company did not have enough provisions. Henry Sibley offered his help. Sibley and Kittson built a successful business. They supplied the British troops with many goods. They transported these goods along the Red River Trails.

Trade with the Dakota

Sibley's trade with the western Dakota bands declined in the 1840s. A measles epidemic reduced the number of Dakota hunters. The population of elk and buffalo also decreased. This forced hunters to move westward. In later years, the buffalo herds almost disappeared. Drought and crop failures made things worse. Traders had to give food to the Dakota on credit.

Some Mdewakanton, like Little Crow, found ways to trade that competed with Sibley's business. By 1848, some Dakota were successfully trading whiskey for furs. Sibley and his partners had to set up river patrols to stop this.

Early Public Service

Henry Sibley began his public service career as a young man. He was appointed a justice of the peace in Michigan Territory.

Magistrate in Iowa Territory

After moving to Mendota, Sibley became a justice of the peace for Clayton County. This county was very large. It stretched from below Prairie du Chien to Pembina. He was appointed by the governor of the new Iowa Territory in 1838. Sibley felt he was the first to bring law to the region.

As a justice of the peace, Sibley handled many cases. In 1838, he investigated the death of John Hays. This became known as the "oldest murder mystery in Minnesota."

Lobbying in Washington

Sibley often traveled to Washington, D.C., to represent the interests of the region.

Lobbying for the Doty Treaty

In 1841, Governor James Duane Doty of Wisconsin Territory negotiated a treaty with the Dakota. This treaty aimed to acquire a large amount of land for the U.S. Sibley helped in these negotiations. He promised to supply goods to the Dakota as gifts.

The Doty Treaty included payments to traders for debts owed by the Dakota. It also called for payments to mixed-heritage individuals. Governor Doty recommended Sibley for a position in the new territory. However, the treaty faced strong opposition in Congress. Senator Thomas Hart Benton was against it. He opposed the idea of government-assisted "civilization" for Native Americans.

In 1842, Ramsay Crooks sent Henry Sibley to Washington. Sibley was to lead the effort to get the Doty Treaty approved. The new Secretary of War supported the treaty. He relied on Sibley for information. Sibley tried to convince Senator Benton to change his mind. However, Benton remained opposed. The Senate voted against the treaty in August 1842. This ended Sibley's hopes of becoming governor of a new all-Indian territory.

Lobbying Against Winnebago Relocation

In 1846, some Winnebago leaders signed a treaty. They agreed to move north to land between the Dakota and Ojibwe. Sibley was strongly against relocating the Winnebago. He did not want them to be a "buffer" between the Dakota and Ojibwe.

In December 1846, Sibley went to Washington to lobby against this relocation. He tried to persuade Michigan Senator Lewis Cass to oppose the treaty. Despite Sibley's efforts, Congress approved the treaty in January 1847. The Winnebago reluctantly began to move in 1848.

Political Career

Boundary with Wisconsin

In 1847, Wisconsin's constitutional convention decided on a northwestern border. This border would place St. Paul and the St. Croix valley outside the new state. Citizens of St. Paul wanted to be at the center of a new territorial government. Henry Sibley strongly supported their efforts. He wanted St. Paul and the St. Croix valley to be excluded from Wisconsin.

Wisconsin became a state on May 29, 1848. Its northwestern border was set at the St. Croix River. This left the residents of St. Paul and the surrounding areas in a legal vacuum. They were without law or government.

Delegate Appointment

On August 26, 1848, Sibley attended a meeting in Stillwater. Citizens requested the formation of a territory of Minnesota. Sibley offered to go to Washington to represent their interests. He was elected by the convention to be their representative.

Election for Congressional Delegate

A former secretary of the Wisconsin Territory argued that the territory still existed in the excluded area. He called for an election to fill a vacant congressional delegate position. Henry Sibley decided to run. His business partner, Henry Mower Rice, also ran. Sibley won the election. He had strong support in St. Paul and the St. Croix valley.

Recognition by Congress

In November 1848, Sibley traveled to Washington. In December, he gave a speech to the House Committee on Elections. He successfully argued for the recognition of the territory.

Congressional Delegate for Minnesota Territory

The Wisconsin Territory's congressional district was removed when the Territory of Minnesota was created on March 3, 1849. Sibley was then elected as the first representative for the Minnesota Territory's At-large congressional district. He served in Congress from 1849 to 1853.

Legislator in Minnesota Territorial House

Sibley was elected to the Minnesota Territorial House of Representatives. He served from January to March 1855. He represented Dakota County.

President of Minnesota Constitutional Convention

He was a member of the Democratic Party wing of the first Minnesota Constitutional Convention. This convention created the state's constitution. Sibley eventually became its president. The constitution was adopted in October 1857.

First Governor of Minnesota

In 1858, Sibley was elected as the first governor of the state of Minnesota. He served from May 24, 1858, to January 2, 1860. He narrowly defeated Republican Alexander Ramsey. In his first speech as governor, Sibley said his goals were tied to the state's well-being. He did not seek re-election.

Railroad Bond Issue

The legislature voted for the state to issue bonds to railroads. These bonds would help build a transcontinental route. Sibley refused to issue them. He said the railroads did not give the state priority on their property. The state supreme court ordered him to issue the bonds. The legislature asked him to sell the bonds in New York. However, investors refused to buy them. The state later canceled the bonds.

Role in Dakota War of 1862

By 1862, Native American tribes had lost much of their land and rights. They were forced onto reservations. This was especially hard for the Dakota. They lived on a narrow strip of land by the Minnesota River. They faced starvation and missed payments from the government. Many Dakota felt they had no choice but to fight for their survival.

On August 19, 1862, Governor Alexander Ramsey appointed Sibley as a colonel of volunteers. He was sent to the upper Minnesota River. His mission was to lead a relief party to Fort Ridgely. The fort had been attacked by Dakota warriors led by Little Crow. On August 29, Sibley's forces rescued 250 settlers from the fort. The Dakota had left the fort after failing to capture it.

Sibley was involved in two more battles:

• The Battle of Birch Coulee
• The Battle of Wood Lake

The Battle of Wood Lake was a major victory. It led to the Dakota releasing 269 captives. These included European-Americans and mixed-heritage individuals.

Military Commission and Trials

After the fighting, a military commission was created by Sibley. Between September 28 and November 5, 1862, this commission held 392 trials. The trials were for murder and participation in combat. There were no lawyers for the defendants. Some trials lasted only a few minutes. By November 5, the commission had sentenced 307 men to death. Sibley approved most of these sentences.

On December 6, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln approved only 39 of the death sentences. Thirty-eight men were executed in Mankato on December 26, 1862.

The remaining 300 Dakota warriors were imprisoned. More than 1,600 non-combatants (women, children, and elderly) were held in a camp. This camp was on Pike Island below Fort Snelling. Many died from a measles epidemic in the camp.

Sibley was promoted to brigadier-general of volunteers on September 29, 1862. He became commander of the new Military District of Minnesota.

Expedition of 1863

After the war, treaties with the Dakota were canceled. Sibley led the removal of all tribal members from Minnesota. They were sent to reservations in the Dakotas and Nebraska.

For the next two years, Sibley and General Alfred Sully led large campaigns. They pursued Dakota who had escaped. In 1863, Sibley led a successful expedition against the Sioux in Dakota Territory. This campaign included the battles of Big Mound (July 24), Dead Buffalo Lake (July 26), and Stony Lake (July 28). This period marked the beginning of long conflicts between the U.S. government and the Dakota.

On November 29, 1865, Sibley was recognized for his military service. He was honorably discharged from the army on April 30, 1866. He was relieved from command of the Minnesota district in August 1866.

Later Life and Civic Roles

Involvement in Indian Affairs

After his military service, Sibley helped settle several Indian treaties.

Ongoing Business Interests

Sibley served as president of several railroads, banks, and other large companies. He also worked to resolve the railroad bond issue.

Minnesota Historical Society

He was a member of the Minnesota Historical Society starting in 1849. He later served as its president. He also joined the Old Settlers' association of Minnesota in 1858.

St. Paul Chamber of Commerce

In December 1866, Henry Sibley helped restart the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce. He served many terms as its president. He focused the Chamber's efforts on public and charity projects. In 1872, Sibley helped raise money for Old Bets. She was an elderly Mdewakanton woman living on his property. She was known for her kindness during the Dakota War of 1862.

In 1873, a large grasshopper infestation destroyed crops in Minnesota. Sibley worked with the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce to raise money for affected families. In 1874, Governor Cushman Kellogg Davis asked Sibley to manage the distribution of funds. These funds were for settlers affected by the grasshopper invasion.

Board Appointments

In 1867, he was appointed to the board of visitors for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He was also president of the board of regents for the University of Minnesota. From 1875 to 1876, he was president of the Board of Indian Commissioners. He received an honorary degree from Princeton University in 1888.

Death and Legacy

Henry Hastings Sibley died in St. Paul, Minnesota on February 18, 1891. He was almost 80 years old. He is buried in Oakland Cemetery in St. Paul. When Sibley arrived in Minnesota in 1834, it was a fur-trading frontier. When he died, Minnesota was a state with nearly one and a half million people.

Written Works

Henry Hastings Sibley wrote for the Minnesota Historical Society. He also contributed to Spirit of the Times and The Turf, Field and Farm. His works for the Minnesota Historical Society included memoirs of Joseph Nicolas Nicollet, Hercules L. Dousman, and Jean Baptiste Faribault.

See Also

• List of American Civil War generals (Union)