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Higher Office(s) Served: Representative

Military Service: National Guard

War(s) Served:  Spanish-American War

JOHN LIND, the fourteenth governor of Minnesota, was born in Kanna, Sweden on March 25, 1854. In 1867, his family immigrated to the United States, and settled in Goodhue, Minnesota. Lind's early education was attained in the public schools of Sweden, and later at the University of Minnesota. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1877, and then established his legal career in New Ulm, Minnesota. During the Spanish-American War, he served with the 12th Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry as a first lieutenant, and rose to the rank of quartermaster by the time he was discharged in 1898. Lind first entered politics in 1881, securing an appointment from President Garfield, to serve as the receiver of the U.S. Land Office at Tracey, a position he held four years. He also served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1887 to 1893, and was a member of the board of regents of the University of Minnesota from 1892 to 1898. Lind next secured the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, and was elected governor by a popular vote on November 8, 1898. During his tenure, the Anoka and Hastings state asylums were established; the state railroad and warehouse commission cut freight fees; and mines and railways were assessed and taxed. After running unsuccessfully for reelection, Lind left office on January 7, 1901. He continued to stay politically active, serving again in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1903 to 1905. He also secured an appointment in 1913, to serve as President Wilson's personal representative to study the U.S. government's dealings in Mexico. Governor John Lind passed away on September 18, 1930, and his cremated ashes were buried in the Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Sources:

Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 2, Westport, Conn.; Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.

Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress

Minnesota Historical Society

Wikipedia.org