Folsom, William H. C. (William Henry Carman), 1817-1900

The film Gone With the Wind, based on the novel by Margaret Mitchell (Marsh), premiered in Atlanta, Georgia, on December 15, 1939.

From the description of William J. Folsom Gone With the Wind Premiere Film, 1939. (Atlanta History Center). WorldCat record id: 714159065

The film Gone With the Wind, based on the novel by Margaret Mitchell (Marsh), premiered in Atlanta, Georgia, on December 15, 1939. Biographical information regarding William J. Folsom has not been determined.

From the description of William J. Folsom Gone With the Wind Premiere film, 1939. (Atlanta History Center). WorldCat record id: 714158431

William Henry Carman (W. H. C.) Folsom was born June 22, 1817 in New Brunswick, Canada. He and his wife, Mary Jane Folsom ( nee Wyman) of Maine, were early Minnesota pioneers of the 1840s, who settled in Taylors Falls in 1850. W. H. C. Folsom was best known as a lumberman, but he was also a merchant, legislator, speculator, manufacturer, real estate dealer, historian, and writer, authoring several papers and the book, Fifty Years in the Northwest (St. Paul: Pioneer Press Company, 1888).

The Folsoms had a large extended family, with several members settling in Taylors Falls, including Mary Jane's brother, Edward P. Wyman, and sister, Caroline Weston, both of whom would later commit suicide. W. H. C.'s son, Wyman X. Folsom and his cousin, Philander E. Folsom, both served in the Civil War, 7th Regiment, Company C and 3rd Regiment, Company K respectively. W. H. C.'s younger son, Frank W. Folsom, was one of the first students at the University of Minnesota.

Folsom was active in both county and state government, serving as County Treasurer, State Representative, and State Senator in the 1st, 9th, 10th, and 17th districts, where he was involved in the navigational development of the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers, railway building, the Wisconsin boundary dispute, design of the State Seal, and the Five Million Dollar Loan. Additionally, Folsom was involved in several local organizations, including the Kahbakong Cemetery Association, the Methodist Episcopal Church of Taylors Falls, and the Chisago Seminary.

William H. C. Folsom died in 1900 in Taylors Falls, preceded in death by his wife Mary Jane (1896), and his son, Frank W. Folsom (1881).

From the guide to the W. H. C. Folsom and family papers., 1836-1950s., (Minnesota Historical Society)