Charles Eugene Flandrau
Encyclopedia
Charles Eugene Flandrau (July 15, 1828 in New York City
– September 9, 1903 in St. Paul, Minnesota) was an American lawyer and colonel in the Union Army.
, a law partner of Aaron Burr
's. His mother was Elizabeth Maria Macomb, a daughter of Alexander Macomb, the wealthy New York merchant, and half-sister of General Alexander Macomb, hero of the war of 1812
and afterward head of the United States Army
. The Flandraus were descendants of Jacques Flandreau, a Huguenot
who came to New Rochelle in the 1690s.
Flandrau was educated in Georgetown
, then a separate community in the District of Columbia, until the age of 13 when he tried to enlist in the Navy. Too young to obtain an appointment, he instead spent three years as a common sailor under other services. In 1844, tiring of the sea, he spent three years in the mahogany trade in New York City, after which he rejoined his family at Whitesboro, New York
, where he apprenticed in his father's law practice. He passed the bar in 1851 and joined his father's firm as partner.
to practice law. During the 1850s, he served on the Territorial Council of Minnesota, in the Minnesota Constitution
al Convention, and on the territorial and state supreme courts. He was also appointed U.S. Agent for the Sioux
in 1856.
In August 1862, learning of a violent Dakota uprising
in the southwestern corner of the state, he enlisted in the Union Army as a captain, and assembled an armed force to rush to the defense of the community of New Ulm
. It is in honor of his success there that both Flandrau State Park
and the community of Flandreau, South Dakota
, are so named. Governor Ramsey
put him in charge of the defense of the southwestern frontier of the state, and he served in this capacity as colonel for two years, simultaneous to his position on the Minnesota supreme court. In 1864 he resigned from both positions, and moved to Nevada to practice law, but returned to Minneapolis within a year. In 1867, he was the Democratic candidate for governor but was defeated by William Rainey Marshall. In 1869 he ran for chief justice of the Minnesota supreme court, but was again defeated.
was the first female congresswoman from Arizona
, under her married name Isabella Greenway.
Flandrau's second wife was the widow Rebecca B. Riddle, daughter of Judge William McClure of Pittsburgh. They had two sons, Charles Macomb Flandrau, a noted author, and William Blair McClure Flandrau, whose wife Grace Hodgson Flandrau
was also a popular author, more financially successful than her brother-in-law. Grace Flandrau left money in her will to a variety of institutions, including the University of Arizona
, which named Flandrau Science Center for her.
Charles Eugene Flandrau died at his home in St. Paul, Minnesota on September 9, 1903.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
– September 9, 1903 in St. Paul, Minnesota) was an American lawyer and colonel in the Union Army.
Early life
Flandrau's father was Thomas Hunt Flandrau of New Rochelle, New YorkNew Rochelle, New York
New Rochelle is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States, in the southeastern portion of the state.The town was settled by refugee Huguenots in 1688 who were fleeing persecution in France...
, a law partner of Aaron Burr
Aaron Burr
Aaron Burr, Jr. was an important political figure in the early history of the United States of America. After serving as a Continental Army officer in the Revolutionary War, Burr became a successful lawyer and politician...
's. His mother was Elizabeth Maria Macomb, a daughter of Alexander Macomb, the wealthy New York merchant, and half-sister of General Alexander Macomb, hero of the war of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
and afterward head of the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. The Flandraus were descendants of Jacques Flandreau, a Huguenot
Huguenot
The Huguenots were members of the Protestant Reformed Church of France during the 16th and 17th centuries. Since the 17th century, people who formerly would have been called Huguenots have instead simply been called French Protestants, a title suggested by their German co-religionists, the...
who came to New Rochelle in the 1690s.
Flandrau was educated in Georgetown
Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
Georgetown is a neighborhood located in northwest Washington, D.C., situated along the Potomac River. Founded in 1751, the port of Georgetown predated the establishment of the federal district and the City of Washington by 40 years...
, then a separate community in the District of Columbia, until the age of 13 when he tried to enlist in the Navy. Too young to obtain an appointment, he instead spent three years as a common sailor under other services. In 1844, tiring of the sea, he spent three years in the mahogany trade in New York City, after which he rejoined his family at Whitesboro, New York
Whitesboro, New York
Whitesboro is a village in Oneida County, New York, United States. United States. The population was 3,943 at the 2000 census. The village is named after Hugh White, an early settler.The Village of Whitesboro is inside the Town of Whitestown....
, where he apprenticed in his father's law practice. He passed the bar in 1851 and joined his father's firm as partner.
Career
In 1853, he relocated to Traverse des Sioux, MinnesotaTraverse des Sioux
Traverse des Sioux is a historic site in the U.S. state of Minnesota. Once part of a preindustrial trade route, it commemorates that route, a busy river crossing on it, a nineteenth century settlement, trading post, and mission at that crossing place, a transshipment point for pelts in fur trading...
to practice law. During the 1850s, he served on the Territorial Council of Minnesota, in the Minnesota Constitution
Minnesota Constitution
The Constitution of the State of Minnesota, USA was initially approved by the residents of Minnesota Territory in a special election held on October 13, 1857, and was ratified by the United States Senate on May 11, 1858, marking the admittance of Minnesota to the Union...
al Convention, and on the territorial and state supreme courts. He was also appointed U.S. Agent for the Sioux
Sioux
The Sioux are Native American and First Nations people in North America. The term can refer to any ethnic group within the Great Sioux Nation or any of the nation's many language dialects...
in 1856.
In August 1862, learning of a violent Dakota uprising
Dakota War of 1862
The Dakota War of 1862, also known as the Sioux Uprising, was an armed conflict between the United States and several bands of the eastern Sioux. It began on August 17, 1862, along the Minnesota River in southwest Minnesota...
in the southwestern corner of the state, he enlisted in the Union Army as a captain, and assembled an armed force to rush to the defense of the community of New Ulm
New Ulm, Minnesota
New Ulm is a city in Brown County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 13,522 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Brown County....
. It is in honor of his success there that both Flandrau State Park
Flandrau State Park
Flandrau State Park is a state park of Minnesota, USA, on the Cottonwood River adjacent to the city of New Ulm. Initially called Cottonwood River State Park, it was renamed in 1945 to honor Charles Eugene Flandrau, a leading citizen of early Minnesota who commanded defenses during the Battles of...
and the community of Flandreau, South Dakota
Flandreau, South Dakota
Flandreau is a city in Moody County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 2,341 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Moody County...
, are so named. Governor Ramsey
Alexander Ramsey
Alexander Ramsey was an American politician. He was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.Alexander Ramsey was elected from Pennsylvania as a Whig to the U.S. House of Representatives and served in the 28th and 29th congresses from March 4, 1843 to March 4, 1847...
put him in charge of the defense of the southwestern frontier of the state, and he served in this capacity as colonel for two years, simultaneous to his position on the Minnesota supreme court. In 1864 he resigned from both positions, and moved to Nevada to practice law, but returned to Minneapolis within a year. In 1867, he was the Democratic candidate for governor but was defeated by William Rainey Marshall. In 1869 he ran for chief justice of the Minnesota supreme court, but was again defeated.
Personal life
Judge Flandrau was married twice. His first marriage was on August 10, 1859 to Isabella Dinsmore of Kentucky. She died in 1867, leaving two daughters, Martha Macomb Flandrau and Sarah Gibson Flandrau. Martha Macomb Flandrau married Tilden Russell Selmes, and their daughter, Isabella SelmesIsabella Greenway
Isabella Selmes Ferguson Greenway King is best known as the first U.S. congresswoman in Arizona history, and as the founder of the Arizona Inn of Tucson...
was the first female congresswoman from Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, under her married name Isabella Greenway.
Flandrau's second wife was the widow Rebecca B. Riddle, daughter of Judge William McClure of Pittsburgh. They had two sons, Charles Macomb Flandrau, a noted author, and William Blair McClure Flandrau, whose wife Grace Hodgson Flandrau
Grace Flandrau
Grace Hodgson Flandrau was an American author of novels, short stories and journalistic pieces. Although she achieved a certain degree of critical acclaim for several of her novels, short stories and some of her journalism career during the 1920s, '30s and '40s, she faded from public literary...
was also a popular author, more financially successful than her brother-in-law. Grace Flandrau left money in her will to a variety of institutions, including the University of Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
, which named Flandrau Science Center for her.
Charles Eugene Flandrau died at his home in St. Paul, Minnesota on September 9, 1903.
Sources
- Brown, John Howard (1904). The twentieth century biographical dictionary of notable Americans. Boston, Biographical Society. Volume IV, F
- Shutter, Marion Daniel, & McLain, John Scudder (1897). Progressive men of Minnesota. Biographical sketches and portraits of the leaders in business, politics and the professions; together with an historical and descriptive sketch of the state. Minneapolis: Minneapolis Journal., p. 121-2
- Folsom, William H. C., & Edwards, E. E. (1888). Fifty years in the Northwest. St. Paul: Pioneer Press Co., p 576-7