William Rainey Marshall

Biography

William Rainey Marshall arrived in Minnesota after studying law and soon raised a volunteer regiment to defend the Union, serving as colonel of the First Minnesota Cavalry. His wartime leadership, marked by care for the men under his command, established his reputation as a calm and decisive public servant.

As the state's fifth governor he championed public schools, railroad expansion, and veterans' relief, believing those investments would bind the communities of Minnesota together. He remained a sounding board for civic leaders, always returning to his belief that prosperity came from shared stewardship of the land.