Willard, John A., 1833-1897.

Willard was born in Oneida, New York (1833); was admitted to the Bar in Utica, New York (1854); came to Mankato, Minnesota (1856); and practiced law there (1856-1870); was president (1870-1892) of a railroad constructed from Mankato to Wells, Minnesota; was elected mayor of Mankato (1891-1893); and was president of and associated with a number of banks and manufacturing concerns in Mankato and in other cities in Minnesota. He died in Mankato (December 15, 1897). A biographical sketch of Willard is the first item in the collection.

From the guide to the John A. Willard correspondence, 1891., (Minnesota Historical Society)