William Colvill
Born: April 5th, 1830
Married:
William Colvill was born in Forestville New York in
Chautauqua County.
His father was said to have been Scotoh and his mother
Irish.
He was married to Elizabeth Morgan. She was fro Oneida
County, New York. She was said to have been a decendant
of one of our pilgram fathers, Elder Brewster.
Elizabeth died on November 13th, 1894. She was buried in
the Cannon Falls Cemetery.
He was admitted to the Bar in New York in the spring after
he read law in Buffalo, New York.
He came to Minnesota and spent a year teaching in St. Paul. He was clerk
and then secretary of the Territorial Council.
In the spring , he moved to Red Wing. He started a paper, the Red Wing Sentinel. He also practiced Law at this time. He had a hand in the planning of Cannon Falls and was said to have spent time in Cannon Falls.
Several land partials were owned by him in Cannon Falls but, he never lived in Cannon Falls. It was said that he may have had property in Minneapolis
Attended a meeting to deside what was to be done in the county
as to the call for volunteers.
Attended a meeting and helped to raise volunteers in the county.
He was the first to join in the raising of the company. He was
voted Captian. He mustered out of the 1st Minn. as a Col.
Engaged in the Charge at Plum Run, Gettysburg. Led the charge.
Musterd in.
He re-enlisted in the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery. He was commissioned it's Col.
Mustered out.
He was brevetted Brigadier General.
It was said, he was elected a Representative of the State Legislature from Goodhue County.
He was Attorney General of Minnesota.
Re-elected to the Legislature.
Moved to Duluth as Register of the Land Office. He wa appointed by President Cleveland.
It was said that he left the office and went back to law.
He retired form his professional career. It was a few months after his wifes death. He moved to his homestead that he had several miles from Grand Marais and was said to have spent alot of time there.
He had come from Red Wing to Minneapolis where he spent the night at the Old Soldier's Home. It was said that he died in his sleep of a heart attack. He was to attend a reunion the following day of the 1st Minn. Regt. and was to lead the regiment in a ceremony of removing the flag from the old capital to the new capital. He was 78 years old. Colvill had been a 50 year resident of Red Wing.
He is buried in the Cannon Falls Cemetery in Cannon Falls, Minnesota with his wife. Colvill had family in Cannon Falls. He spent a lot of time there. Two Sisters and a Aunt was believed to have lived in Cannon Falls. This would be why both him and his wife are buried there. Because of Family.
The Name is spelled Colvill. This is correct
It has been seen as Colville. This is incorrect.
Died: June 14th, 1905
Spring 1851
1854
Spring 1855
April 17, 1861
April 19,1861
July 2nd. 1863
April 26th, 1865
May 6th, 1865
July, 1865
1866-1868
1878
1887
1891
1895
 | ||||||
Courtecy of Cannon Falls Historical Society
All Rights Reserved
Time Line
Colvill Memorial in Cannon Falls
| ||||||
The Memorial was placed in 1909 and the unvailing was on Memorial Day. For the memorial to be placed in the Cannon Falls Cemetery, a man made hill was made. Themonument was placed & the graves of Mr. & Mrs. Colvill were moved to the top of the hill.
The memorial reflects on Col. Colvill, 1st Minn. Regt. Vol. Inf. & ofthe charge at Gettysburg, Penn. on July 2nd, 1863.
On July 29th, 1928 the Memorial was dedicated by President Calvin Coolidge in a dedication ceremony at the Cannon Falls Cenetery.
