William Dahl came to St.
Paul when Minnesota was still a territory. He was a
man of various talents and occupations which are
evidenced in early records of St. Paul. In August of
1849 he was employed as a clerk. In 1850 he became a
census taker for Pembina County. In 1854 he acquired
the appointment as "general agent" or
"factor" for the Hudson Bay Company for
the Minnesota Territory. It was found that in 1853
he operated a Book & Stationery store and
printing shop near the corners of Third Street and
Robert Street, and was appointed
"Superintendent of the Poor". He also sold
cordwood as a sideline as is evidenced by
advertisements in St. Paul Real Estate and Railroad
Advertiser.
Sometime in 1852 he met an Irish
girl, Catherine Margaret Murphy, who arrived from
Ireland and they were eventually married. Their
first child, Catherine M. Dahl was born in 1853, a
son, Edward William in 1856, and a daughter Mary Ann
in 1858. Unfortunately, as fate would have it
William never lived to see his last child born as he
died of consumption a month before her birth.
In March of 1857, his wife
Catherine purchased a lot in the "Randall's
Addition", which is located on Thirteenth
Street between Jackson and Robert Streets. It was
here William built a home for his family. Today the
house still stands as the only remaining structure
built during the 1850's era. It has been listed in
the National Register for preservation and is a very
small structure, by todays standards. Unfortunately,
it is used to store old state records and is not
open for visitation at the time.
William was only 33 years old when
he passed away. He was a member of the St. Paul
Light Cavalry, and was accorded full military honors
for his funeral. His untimely death left his wife
with 2 young children and the third yet to be born.
In order to provide for her family, Catherine, took
in washing to raise money to feed and clothe her
children. William's son Edward, at the age of 12
went to work as a clerk in a furniture store.
The "Dahl House" as it
is known as today stayed in the possession of Edward
until 1937.
Descendants
of William Dahl (1827 - September 30, 1858)
Spouse: Catherine Margaret Murphy (1831 -
January 25, 1901)
Married: October 19,
1852 in St. Paul, MN
Children
- F Catherine M.
Dahl (1853 - ????)
- M Edward
William Dahl (1856 - 1937)
- F Mary
Ann Dahl (1858 - 1940)
If
you have anymore information on the above listed
person or persons feel free to write me.
