Pillsbury, J. S. (John Sargent), 1827-1901

John Sargent Pillsbury was born in Sutton, New Hampshire, and came to the village of St. Anthony MN in 1855 to open a hardware business. 15 years later, he began his flour milling enterprise, which became one of the largest in the world. In 1863, Pillsbury began to take an interest in the University of Minnesota, which had been closed by debt. Pillsbury accepted an appointment as a University Regent, and began the first of several successful rescues of the University. He served as a Regent until his death. Shortly after becoming a University Regent, Pillsbury began his first term as a State Senator, and was later elected Governor of Minnesota, serving three terms. Pillsbury's concern for the University was a primary focus of his life, and he was known as the "Father of the University." Pillsbury Hall on the Minneapolis campus is one of many outright gifts made by Pillsbury to the University during his lifetime.

From the description of John Sargent Pillsbury papers, 1853-1891. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 63314450

John Sargent Pillsbury, regent (1863-1895) and benefactor of the University of Minnesota; governor of the state of Minnesota (1876-1882); founder of Pillsbury Company; referred to as the Father of the University of Minnesota.

John S. Pillsbury was born in Sutton, New Hampshire on July 19, 1828. He arrived in Minnesota in 1855 and joined in a hardware business with George F. Cross, forming Cross, Pillsbury & Co. In 1858 he married Mahala Fisk. He served as a city councilman (1858-1864), state senator (1864-1874), and 8th governor of the State of Minnesota. (1876-1882). He sold the hardware store in 1875 to Janney, Moles, Brooks & Co. to devote himself to flour milling. In 1872 he founded C.A. Pillsbury and Company with his nephew Charles A. Pillsbury. Pillsbury Company became on of the largest flour milling operations in the world.

In 1862, the University was in debt of $110,000. To settle this, the Minnesota Territorial board allowed creditors to receive notes of indebtedness against University land. When only a few accepted the offer, Pillsbury, in his role as state senator, proposed a law allowing a three member board of regents to be appointed to handle the University's affairs. He was appointed as regent, along with O.C. Merriman and John Nicols, to sell land grants to settle the University's debt. By 1867, the University was debt free. In 1887, Pillsbury donated a science building to the University at a cost of approximately $150,000, now known as Pillsbury Hall. He served as regent from 1863-1895 and was then appointed "regent for life" by the state legislature. In 1900, a statue created by sculptor Daniel Chester French of John S. Pillsbury was installed; it is oldest piece of public art on the University of Minnesota campus. John Sargent Pillsbury died on October 18, 1901.

From the guide to the John Sargent Pillsbury papers, 1858, 1867-1915, (University of Minnesota Libraries. University of Minnesota Archives [uarc])