CUSHMAN KELLOGG DAVIS Seventh Governor of the State of Minnesota, was born in Henderson, New York, June 16, 1838, and died in St. Paul, November 27, 1900. He served in the Civil War; practiced law in St. Paul; and was Governor of Minnesota from January 7, 1874, to January 7, 1876. From 1887 until his death he was a United States Senator. In 1898, at the conclusion of the war with Spain, he was a member of the Spanish American Peace Commission. CUSHMAN KELLOGG DAVIS SEVENTH GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA January 7, 1874, to January 7, 1876 OLITICS and literature do not often go hand in POLT in hand. We have had, however, in this state a rare exception. But seven years have passed since the death of Cushman Kellogg Davis. His recognition as statesman, classic orator, and man of letters, has gained in expression and cumulative interest with each passing year. The pervasive atmosphere of his memory is extending through all the ranks of culture. In another generation interest will center more and more about this man, so unlike our other governors. Literary talent, culture, a wonderful power of expression, rich as cloth of gold, so potent in him, will reach with propulsive force to Minnesotans yet unborn. Amid his political entanglements, his legal work, dry as dust, and statesmanly employments, his irrepressible literary gifts would flash out like lances of sunlight between the clouds. His accomplishments as a man of letters, and his wonderful skill in state-craft, are the two Corinthian columns on which rest his glory and his fame. No one can envy the great distinction which came to this remarkable man. He was too amiable and honorable to assail or decry any competitor in the race for supremacy. The rewards of a commendable ambition came to him without seeking to humble any rival. "His tongue dropped manna" for all, and wellnigh made him exempt from that vituperation which is too often the fate of our public men. In the earlier period of his professional career, there seemed to be a sportive tendency in his tastes; but quite suddenly he dropped all the haunts of diversion, and studiously gave himself to his library and his profession. Henceforth his life and career formed a notable part of the state he so devotedly loved and so greatly honored. He was born at the village of Henderson, Jefferson county, New York, on the 16th day of June, 1838, in a small home built partly of logs, and mossy and venerable with age. He came of sturdy Puritan stock, and on his mother's side he was a descendant of Mary Allerton, who was the last survivor of the noble band that came over in the Mayflower. He was a descendant of Robert Cushman, the preacher of the Pilgrims, and he had great pride in his ancestry. His father, Horatio N. Davis, was quite prominent, had served in the Civil War, and retired from the army with the brevet rank of major. He held many municipal offices, and was, at one time, a member of the Wisconsin Senate. When an infant, his parents removed to the vicinity of Waukesha, Wis., where, for fifteen years, they resided on a farm. He was trained in the local schools, but was early transferred to the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated in 1857. He studied law, and came to the bar in Waukesha as soon as he had reached his majority. With his intellectual gifts he speedily attained a good practice, and was recognized as a rising and ambitious young lawyer. But the storm of civil war broke upon the country, and he entered the army as first lieutenant of Company B of the Twenty-eighth Wisconsin infantry. He served with. marked courage and fidelity until the complete breaking down of his health from constant and insidious malaria and fever. For nearly two years he was with the Army of Tennessee in campaigns in Kentucky, Arkansas, and Mississippi. He returned to the paternal home, and with gradually returning health he was ambitious to seek a larger field of activity. Surveying the great Northwest, fortunately for both him and this state, he chose St. Paul as his future home. Resuming at once He arrived in that city in 1865. the practice of the law, in partnership with ex-governor Willis A. Gorman, he became noted as one of the ablest and most prominent members of a bar eminently distinguished for its rare ability and high character. In 1867 came his first political recognition, when he was elected to the legislature of that year. His ability was speedily recognized, and he took an active part in its deliberations. In 1868 he was appointed, by |