I guess you could call this column “Moses Sailor – Part Two.” Or maybe “Moses Sailor Continued.” As you have now surmised, it is more about Moses Sailor, the first permanent settler in Faribault County.

Last week’s column about Moses Sailor drew a lot of response, more than I expected. Several folks expressed surprise that someone named Moses was the first one here. No one mentioned that someone named Moses had traveled through the wilderness and eventually found the Promised Land. (Sorry about that.)

Anyway, several readers let me know some more facts about Moses Sailor. Some of the facts I already knew, but some I did not. One reader even brought me the book “Faribault County 1855-1976 – A Panorama.” It was created in 1977 by the Faribault County Bicentennial Commission. This particular copy of the book had belonged to Gwen Krosch, and it was well noted by her that Moses Sailor was the great-grandfather of Sylvia Sailor Krosch.

I didn’t have the heart to tell her I already had two copies of that book. One came with my office, the other was given to me as a gift a few years back. I use it pretty often as reference material and as a good thing to read from time to time.

Anyway, I also received this photo of Moses Sailor which is totally different than the one I have seen in the past. I will try and share it with you here. Thanks to Randy Anderson and the Faribault County Historical Society.

In the Faribault County book, there is a very detailed description of Moses Sailor coming to what would become Blue Earth.

Here is a very short synopsis. Moses was born in Ohio in 1808, went to Indiana, married a woman who died in 1849, leaving him with nine children – sons Jacob, Abel, Daniel, William and Manuel and daughters Esther, Amanda and Roxina. In 1854 he moved the family to Iowa. He came exploring with two other men to Faribault County and Mankato, then went back to Iowa, got his family, and moved them to Minnesota, settling near the future site of Blue Earth on May 25, 1855. They lived in a wagon until he built an 18×24 log house.

He would remarry, (Mary) in 1869 and live near the growing city of Blue Earth all his life. He died on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 1896.

OK, now you probably know way more about Moses Sailor than you ever wanted to. But, on the off chance that you want to know more, check out the Faribault County 1855-1976 book, or the Blue Earth Sesquicentennial book, or even maybe Google Mr. Sailor and see what comes up.

And don’t forget to check out his log cabin grave monument in the Riverside Cemetery in Blue Earth. It is definitely unique. If you do, note the draw-string on the door latch is all the way out. It means visitors were always welcome at the Moses Sailor cabin.

Pretty cool.