Minnesota Territory facts for kids
The Minnesota Territory was a special area of the United States that was set up by the government. It existed from March 3, 1849, until May 11, 1858. On that date, the eastern part of the territory became a state called Minnesota. This means it joined the Union as a full state.
Contents
The Minnesota Territory
A "territory" is a region of land that belongs to a country but is not yet a state. The United States had many territories before they became states. The Minnesota Territory was created to help organize and govern this area as more people moved there. It was a step before becoming a state.
Who Governed the Territory?
The territory had leaders who helped manage its affairs. The most important leader was the Governor. The Governor was like the main boss, making sure laws were followed and the territory ran smoothly. Here are the people who served as Governor of the Minnesota Territory:
| # | Governor | Started Job | Left Job | Political Group | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Ramsey |  |
June 1, 1849 | May 15, 1853 | Whig |
| 2 | Willis Arnold Gorman |  |
May 15, 1853 | April 23, 1857 | Democratic |
| 3 | Samuel Medary |  |
April 23, 1857 | May 24, 1858 | Democratic |
Important Secretaries
The Territorial Secretary was another key official. This person helped the Governor with daily tasks and kept important records. They were like the chief administrator for the territory.
- Charles K. Smith, 1849–1851
- Alexander Wilkin, 1851–1853
- Joseph Rosser, 1853–1857
- Charles L. Chase, 1857–1858
Representatives in Congress
Even though Minnesota was a territory, it still had people who represented it in the United States Congress. These representatives could speak for the territory's needs and concerns, even though they couldn't vote on laws. They made sure the people of Minnesota Territory had a voice in the national government.
- Henry Hastings Sibley, served in the 31st and 32nd Congresses, from 1849–1853
- Henry Mower Rice, served in the 33rd and 34th Congresses, from 1853–1857
- William W. Kingsbury, served in the 35th Congress, from 1857–1858
