Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/61

 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY 31 Theodore B. Sheldon is a name that will always be remem- bered in Red Wing for what he accomplished during his long life here, as well as for the beautiful T. B. Sheldon Auditorium, which was built with the money which he left to be expended for the good of Red Wing. He was born January 31, 1820, at Bernardston, Franklin county, Massachusetts, not far from the village of Northfield, made famous by the evangelist, D. L. Moody. He received a common school education in the schools of his neighborhood, and at the age of twelve began work in a woolen mill in Greenfield. Mass., where he remained until 1840, when he entered the employ of a cutlery manufacturer. In this business he remained three years and then went to Springfield, Mass., where he obtained a situation with a tool and lock manu- facturing company. Two years later he removed to Whitney- ville, Conn., where he worked in a gun and rifle factory two years, later taking up similar work for a similar period in Windsor. Vt. He arrived in Red Wing in the autumn of 1856 and went into partnership with Jesse Mclntire in the mercantile business. In 1860 he sold out to his partner and in the fall of that year built a warehouse and went into the grain business. Shortly afterward he took his clerk, E. H. Blodgett, as a partner, this arrangement continuing until Mr. Sheldon's death. Mr. Sheldon was identified with most of the leading enterprises- of Red Wing. In the early days he represented the steamboat lines and express companies doing business here, and was also agent for the Milwaukee road until the line was completed from St. Paul to La Crosse. He was largely interested in the First National and Goodhue County banks, being president of the former and vice president of the latter. He was president of the Goodhue County Savings bank, conducted in connection with the latter institution. He was also president of the Red Wing & Trenton Transit Company when that company was organized for the purpose of operating a ferry across the river and a road over the island. In this capacity he continued until within a short time of his death. Mr. Sheldon was one of the prime movers in the Minnesota Stoneware Company, and also in the Red Wing Gas, Light & Power Company, the Red Wing Furniture Company, and the Duluth, Red Wing & Southern Railway Company. His business capacity was recognized by his election as president of all these companies. He was vice presi- dent of the La Grange mills, and the Red Wing, Duluth & Sioux City Construction Company. He was also associated with various other enterprises as stockholder or director. He served as one of the supervisors of Red Wing while the township organization was still in force, and after the organization of the city was a member of the council. In politics he was a Democrat, and his