Captain John Rollins

First steamboat above St. Anthony Falls The Governor Ramsey. Several terms in territorial legislature. With partners Eastman & Upton first merchant flour mill on Hennepin Island. Ran for mayor twice and lost for St. Anthony. Involved in first school building in St. Anthony. First steam saw mill. With Judge Meeker negotiated with settlers to put aside land for U of M. Cleared Mississippi of boulders between St. Paul and Minneapolis, opened up river betweeen the two towns. Father, farmer, lumberman, mill owner, involved in numerous civic events. Exemplified the 'do it' attitude needed for those pioneer days.
~Katy Johnson, Golden Valley, MN