John McKusick

John McKusick
Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 2nd district
In office January 6, 1863 – January 7, 1867
Personal details
Born	December 18, 1815 (1815-12-18) Cornish, Maine, U.S.[1]
Died	October 26, 1900(1900-10-26) (aged 84) Stillwater, Minnesota, U.S.[2]
Cause of death	Liver disease
Occupation	Lumberman, politician

John McKusick (December 18, 1815 – October 26, 1900[3]) was an American lumberman, politician, and pioneer who served four terms as a Minnesota state senator from 1863 to 1867.[1] He was the first mayor of Stillwater, Minnesota, and built the city's first lumber mill.[3]

Early life

Born in Cornish, Maine, in 1815, John McKusick received a common school education before traveling to Illinois in 1839.[1] In 1840, he moved to St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin Territory, and became a lumberman.[1] In 1847, he married Phebe Greely, but she died shortly thereafter. He was soon remarried to Servia Greely in November 1849, with whom he had children Newton, Chester, and Ella.[1][3]

Political career

McKusick began his political career as Stillwater's postmaster.[4] He later served as the first Mayor of Stillwater in 1854, the year the city was incorporated.[4] From 1863 to 1867, he served four terms as a Minnesota state senator from the 2nd district, representing Chisago, Kanabec, Pine, and Washington County.[1][5]

Later life

On February 18, 1887, Servia died, and McKusick once again remarried a few years thereafter, this time to Ella Knapp.[3]

McKusick died of liver disease on October 26, 1900, in Stillwater.[3] Following his death, his estate was estimated to be worth $100,000 – equivalent to $3,662,400 in 2023 – to $150,000, equivalent to $5,493,600 in 2023.[6]

References

1. Folsom 1888, pp. 68–69.
2. Easton 1909, p. 157.
3. "Death of Hon. John McKusick". Stillwater Messenger (obituary). Vol. XLV, no. 10. October 27, 1900. p. 5. Retrieved January 11, 2022 – via the Minnesota Historical Society.
4. Folsom 1888, pp. 398.
5. "McKusick, John". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Minnesota Legislature. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
6. "Stillwater News". The St. Paul Globe. Vol. XXIII, no. 305. November 1, 1900. p. 3. Retrieved January 11, 2022 – via the Minnesota Historical Society.

Bibliography

• Easton, Augustus B., ed. (1909). History of the Saint Croix Valley. Vol. I. Chicago, IL: H.C. Cooper, Jr. & Co. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
• Folsom, W. H. C. (1888). Edwards, E. E. (ed.). Fifty Years in the Northwest. St. Paul, MN: Pioneer Press Company. LCCN rc01001070. Retrieved November 7, 2021.