George H. Walsh Papers, 1910-2011
Collection Overview
Title: George H. Walsh Papers, 1910-2011
ID: OGLMC737
Primary Creator: Walsh, Laura Jane Griggs
Extent: 2.0 Linear Feet
Date Acquired: 00/00/1981. More info below under Accruals.
Subjects: University of North Dakota - Benefactors, Walsh, George H.
Languages: English
Abstract
Scope and Contents of the Materials
Collection Historical Note
George Henry Walsh was born 24 November 1845 in Quebec, Canada, the eldest child of Thomas and Eleanor (Ransom) Walsh. When George was eleven, his family moved from New York to Henderson, Minnesota, where his father operated a clothing store and tailor shop. During the Civil War, both George and his father enlisted in Company T, 10th Minnesota Infantry. George served with distinction and was first promoted to corporal and later to sergeant.
Following the war, George Walsh worked as a steamboat clerk in Minnesota. In 1867, he married Laura Jane, daughter of William and Esther (McKibbon) Griggs, and sister of Alexander Griggs, one of the founders of Grand Forks. Two years later, the Walsh family moved to New Ulm, Minnesota, where George started the first English language newpaper in the community. During this time, he also studied law. Walsh was convinced to relocate to Grand Forks by Alexander Griggs and began publication of the Plaindealer in 1875. He also served as a legal advisor to Griggs.
With his legal experience and connections to some influential people, Walsh was elected to the territorial assembly beginning in 1879. He was speaker of the Territorial House and chairman of the Territorial Council. During the legislative session of 1883, Walsh used some political wrangling to ensure the university for North Dakota would be located in Grand Forks. Thus, he was called the Father of the State University. Walsh also served in the state legislature and on the North Dakota Board of Railroad Commissioners. He spent most of his later years in Minnesota and died 2 April 1913 at the Soldier's Home in Minnehaha. He is buried along with other family members in Memorial Park in Grand Forks.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections
Accruals: Additional materials were donated by: Leah Byzewki, Grand Forks County Historical Society, on April 17, 2007 (2007-2899); Dr. Robert Boyd and Dr. Gordon Iseminger, University of North Dakota, on August 3, 2011 (2011-3120); and Duane Walsh, Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on September 23, 2011 (2011-3125)
Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.
Acquisition Source: Donation
Acquisition Method: Transfer from the North Dakota Biographical File; 81-949
Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). George H. Walsh Papers. OGLMC 737. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.
Processing Information: The collection was processed by Amber Bouret, Special Collections Student Assistant, in October 2012.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Folder:
[Folder 1: Dedication of George Walsh bust on the UND campus, 2011],
[Folder 2: "Story of the Walsh Family", undated],
[Folder 3: Newspaper clippings, 1931-1958],
[Folder 4: Photographs, 1910-1959],
[All]
- Folder 1: Dedication of George Walsh bust on the UND campus, 2011
- Folder 2: "Story of the Walsh Family", undated
- Story by Laura Griggs Walsh to Mrs. John Mahon about how the Walsh family influenced some of our state institutions.
- Folder 3: Newspaper clippings, 1931-1958
- Newspaper clippings about George Walsh
- Folder 4: Photographs, 1910-1959
- Photograph 1: Laura Griggs Walsh (wife of George H. Walsh and sister of Alexander Griggs), undated
- Photograph 2: exterior view of Barlow House - residence of Stuart and Elizabeth Walsh, undated
- from left: Elizabeth Barlow Walsh, unidentified, unidentified, Grandpa Barlow, Malley Barlow, Stuart Walsh
- Photograph 3: Stuart Walsh, undated
- Close-up view of Walsh from photograph 737-2
- Photograph 4: Falconer Township Board, April 1911
- from left: Gus Barlow, John F. Freeman, Stuart Walsh, George Brunday, and Robert Green
- Photograph 5: E.J. Densmore, J.M. Bear, and Stuart Walsh in horse-drawn wagon, 1917
- Photograph 6: Horses and riders, June 1925
- Photograph 7: George, Stuart, and Donald Walsh, 1917
- Photograph 8: Family reunion (with Nuss and Barlow families), 4 July 1915
- Photograph 9: Tom, Donald, and George Walsh with pigs, 1919
- Photograph 10: Barlow House - residence of Stuart and Elizabeth Walsh, undated
- Photograph 11: One image of men and another of women getting ready to play baseball, June 1913
- Photograph 12: George H. Walsh grandsons (Stew, Charlie, Donald, Tom, and George), ca. 1920
- Photograph 13: North Dakota State Mill and Elevator - transporting flour (driver unknown, rider Donald E. Walsh), ca. 1933-1935
- Photograph 14: Jacoby's Restaurant - Gordon and Jeff Jacoby with Dad (Cliff) on bun sign, April 1952
- Photograph and layout by Duane P. Walsh
- Photograph 15: Minot, North Dakota - harvesting grain, undated
- Photograph 16: Separate images of Mrs. George Walsh (Laura Jane Griggs) and George H. Walsh later in life, undated
- Photograph 17: Harvesting grain at Stuart Walsh farm near Grand Forks, 1917
- Photograph 18: Threshing at the Stuart Walsh farm, 1917
- Photograph 19: Three images of Grand Forks Dam area, 1913
- Photograph 20: Threshing at Klimpel farm near Minot, ca. 1920
- Photograph 21: Plowing field at Klimpel farm near Minot, undated
- Photograph 22: Harvesting grain at Klimpel farm near Minot, undated
- Photograph 23: Threshing at Paul Klimpel farm near Minot, 1910
- Photograph 24: Threshing at Paul Klimpel farm near Minot, 1910
- Photograph 25: Threshing at Paul Klimpel farm near Minot, 1939
- Photograph 26: Grazing cattle at Klimpel farm near Minot, 1959
- Photograph by Duane P. Walsh
- Photograph 27: Threshing equipment, 1910
- Photograph 1: Laura Griggs Walsh (wife of George H. Walsh and sister of Alexander Griggs), undated
Browse by Folder:
[Folder 1: Dedication of George Walsh bust on the UND campus, 2011],
[Folder 2: "Story of the Walsh Family", undated],
[Folder 3: Newspaper clippings, 1931-1958],
[Folder 4: Photographs, 1910-1959],
[All]