Sibley, Henry Hastings

Sibley, Henry Hastings, 1811–91, first governor of Minnesota, b. Detroit. After two years of law study, he was (1830–34) a clerk for the American Fur Company. He later became (1834) a partner and engaged in trading in the Wisconsin and Dakota territories. He was (1848) delegate to Congress from Wisconsin Territory and promoted (1849) the organization of Minnesota Territory. He was then its territorial delegate, and when it became (1858) a state, Sibley was (1858–60) its first governor. He commanded expeditions against the Sioux after the massacre of Minnesota settlers in 1862.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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