Cadwallader Colden Washburn (April 22, 1818–May 15, 1882) was an American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 businessman, politician

Politician

A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...

, and soldier

Soldier

A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...

 noted for founding what would later become General Mills

General Mills

General Mills, Inc. is an American Fortune 500 corporation, primarily concerned with food products, which is headquartered in Golden Valley, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. The company markets many well-known brands, such as Betty Crocker, Yoplait, Colombo, Totinos, Jeno's, Pillsbury, Green...

 and working in government for Wisconsin

Wisconsin

Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...

. He was born in Livermore, Maine

Livermore, Maine

Livermore is a town in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,106 at the 2000 census. It is included in both the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Metropolitan New England City and Town Area. High schools students from...

, one of seven brothers that included Israel Washburn, Jr.

Israel Washburn, Jr.

Israel Washburn, Jr. was a United States political figure. Originally a member of the Whig Party, he later became a founding member of the Republican Party....

, Elihu B. Washburne

Elihu B. Washburne

Elihu Benjamin Washburne was one of seven brothers who played a prominent role in the early formation of the United States Republican Party...

, William D. Washburn

William D. Washburn

William Drew Washburn was an American politician. He served in both the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate as a Republican from Minnesota. Three of his seven brothers became politicians: Elihu B. Washburne, Cadwallader C. Washburn, and Israel Washburn, Jr...

, and Charles Ames Washburn

Charles Ames Washburn

Charles Ames Washburn , also known as C. A. Washburn, was born in Livermore, Maine. He was the son of Israel Washburn Sr.; nephew of Reuel Washburn; brother of Israel, Jr., Elihu Benjamin, Cadwallader Colden and William Drew...

.
Washburn attended school in Wiscasset, Maine, and later taught there in 1838–1839. In 1839 he moved to Davenport, Iowa

Davenport, Iowa

Davenport is a city located along the Mississippi River in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Davenport is the county seat of and largest city in Scott County. Davenport was founded on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire and was named for his friend, George Davenport, a colonel during the Black Hawk...

. There he helped in the geological survey of the state before moving to Rock Island, Illinois

Rock Island, Illinois

Rock Island is the county seat of Rock Island County, Illinois, United States. The population was 40,884 at the 2010 census. Located on the Mississippi River, it is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring Moline, East Moline, and the Iowa cities of Davenport and Bettendorf. The Quad Cities...

 to study law.