Governor Andrew Ryan McGill
(1840-1905)

Andrew Ryan McGill: From Minnesota Frontier Soldier to Governor of the State

In the late summer of 1862, the Minnesota frontier was a place of fear, smoke, and uncertainty. Young Andrew Ryan McGill had barely enlisted before he found himself riding into a countryside lit by burning farmhouses and shaken by one of the most violent conflicts in the state’s early history.

Early Life and Arrival in Minnesota

Andrew Ryan McGill was born on February 19, 1840, in Saegertown, Crawford County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Charles Dillon McGill and Angeline Martin, and grandson of Patrick McGill and Anna Maria Baird. One of nine children, he grew up on the family farm with five sisters and three brothers.

In 1859, McGill left Pennsylvania to pursue teaching opportunities, first in Clarion County and later in Kentucky. By 1861 he had moved to Minnesota, where he started his own school in the growing town of St. Peter. He quickly became deeply involved in community life, serving as school superintendent in Nicollet County for two terms, clerk of the district court, and editor and owner of the St. Peter Tribune from 1865 to 1866. He studied law in his spare time and was admitted to the bar.

Andrew Ryan McGill and the Dakota Conflict of 1862

At age 21, McGill enlisted on August 19, 1862, as a private in Company D of the 9th Minnesota Infantry, just as the Dakota Conflict of 1862 erupted. His company returned to St. Peter to serve as a garrison protecting settlers. McGill and his comrades conducted difficult patrols between St. Peter and New Ulm—rescuing wounded settlers, searching for survivors, and guarding against attacks. Patrols were often conducted at night amid the glow of burning farmhouses, with ambush a constant threat.

Service in the 9th Minnesota Infantry

Though he held the rank of First Sergeant, McGill’s education led to greater responsibilities. He served as Acting Adjutant at the St. Peter military post, handling duties typically assigned to commissioned officers. His superiors valued his work so highly that replacing him proved difficult.

Camp life eventually took its toll. Exposure and overwork caused a serious pulmonary illness that lingered for months. He was discharged on August 18, 1863. It remained a lifelong regret that his health prevented him from serving with his regiment in the later campaigns of the Civil War.

Marriage and Family

In 1864, McGill married Eliza Evelyn Bryant, daughter of prominent lawyer and author Charles S. Bryant. They had five children: Charles (born 1866), Harry (1867), Robert (1869), Florence (1871), and Lida (1874). Eliza died in 1877. In 1879, McGill married Mary E. Wilson of Crawford County, Pennsylvania. They had three sons: Wilson (1884), Thomas (1889), and Andrew Jr. (1893). Tragically, Harry, Florence, and Andrew Jr. died as toddlers.

Political Career in Minnesota

After recovering from his wartime illness, McGill advanced steadily in public service. He worked in his father-in-law’s law office and later served as private secretary to Governor Horace Austin in 1870. In 1873 he was appointed Insurance Commissioner, a position he held for 13 years.

In 1886, McGill was nominated as the Republican candidate for governor. He defeated Democrat A.A. Ames in a close election and was sworn in on January 5, 1887. During his single term (1887–1889), he simplified state tax and railroad laws, regulated liquor laws, established a soldiers’ home, and created a Bureau of Labor Statistics.

After leaving the governorship, McGill entered banking and the loan and trust business. He also invested in a printing company that became the McGill-Warner Company of St. Paul. In 1899 he returned to public office as a state senator representing St. Paul and won re-election unopposed in 1902. Presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt appointed him Postmaster of St. Paul; Roosevelt made a special exception so he could hold both the federal postmaster position and his state senate seat simultaneously.

Later Life, Home, and Legacy

Since 1888, McGill and his family lived at 2203 Scudder Avenue in St. Anthony Park, a suburb of St. Paul. The home is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Andrew Ryan McGill died suddenly of heart disease at his home in the early hours of October 31, 1905, at the age of 65. He was laid to rest on November 2 in Oakland Cemetery in St. Paul.

From Pennsylvania farm boy to frontier soldier, schoolteacher, lawyer, and governor, McGill embodied the opportunities and hardships of a young and rapidly growing Minnesota. He was remembered for his integrity, dedication to duty, and lifelong commitment to public service.

Records, Resources, and Photos

1850 Census: Woodcock, Crawford, Pennsylvania
Charles McGill 48 Farmer; Mary McGill 19; Armand M McGill 17; John U McGill 14; Emily McGill 12; Andrew McGill 10; Augusta McGill 8; Frances McGill 5; Angeline McGill 2.

1860 Census • Pendleton, Kentucky
Age in 1860: 21. Occupation: Teacher in a school. Placee of birth: Pennsylvania He appears to be living with the Iliff family. Andrew did not fill in any amount for Value of Real Estate or Value of Personal Estate.

1870 census: St Paul Ward 3, Ramsey, Minnesota

Andrew McGill 30 clerk born Pennsylvania, Lynn 25 born Ohio, Herbert 4 born Minnesota, Harry 2 born Minnesota, Clifford 11 months, born Minnesota.

1880 Census • Saint Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota

Age: 40; Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Self. Occupation: insurance commissioner.

1900 Census • St Paul Ward 10, Ramsey, Minnesota

Andrew R McGil, head of household, Age: 60, Married; Occupation: Capitalist;
Mary E McGill Wife age 46;
Charles H McGill Son age 34, Occupation: Manufacturer
Thomas McGill Son age 10;
William McGill Son age 16

1905 Minnesota Census reorded the following household members:
Andrew R McGill, 65 years old, Postmaster. Former Soldier in Civil War;

Mary E McGill, 51 years old, Housewife;

Wilson McGill, 21 years old, Student;

THomas M McGill, 15 years old, Student.

FindAGrave Memorial ID #38233628

“Governor McGill represented the best ideals of civic life. He fulfilled, in a marked degree, the obligations of a citizen. In all his relations with his fellow men, whether in public or private station, he was always the courteous gentleman, useful citizen, thoughtful and helpful friend. Calm in temperament, sound in judgment, of quick intelligence, well informed, courageous in defense of the right, moved always by a spirit of the utmost candor, he lived among men a wholesome force.”

Henry W. Childs (Minnesota Attorney General, 1893–1899)