Henry Hastings Sibley
|
|
Henry Hastings Sibley (February 20, 1811 to February 18, 1891) was an American politician. He was born in Detroit, Michigan.
In 1834, Sibley took over the American Fur Company post in Mendota, Minnesota. He later helped build the region and served as delegate for Minnesota Territory to the U.S. Congress from July 7, 1849 until March 3, 1853. Sibley was active in forming the legislation that established Minnesota as a state. He served in the Territorial legislature of Minnesota in 1855 and served as the president of the constitutional convention for the territory in 1857.
In 1858, he was elected the first Governor of Minnesota after statehood. He served as Governor from May 24, 1858 to January 2, 1860. He was a Democrat. William F. Wheeler was state librarian and the Governor's personal secretary.
In 1862 Sibley was given a commission as a colonel of state militia and put down a Sioux Indian rising at the battle of Wood Lake. For this victory he was given a commission as brigadier general of volunteers in September. The following year he led an expedition against the Souix Indians of the Dakotas defeating them at the battles of Big Mound, Dead Buffalo Lake and Stony Lake.
Sibley County, Minnesota is named after him.
| Preceded by: Samuel Medary (territory) | Governor of Minnesota 1858 – 1860 | Succeeded by: Alexander Ramsey |