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Pierre Bottineau is considered a hero in both North Dakota and Minnesota for his efforts in negotiating peace treaties, saving the volunteers defending Fort Abercrombie and creating settlements that became major cities in both states.
As we saw in last week's column, Bottineau was a brave man of many talents on the plains of Dakota and Minnesota. By 1857, he was one of the founding fathers of Minneapolis-St. Paul and was largely responsible for founding the communities of St. Anthony, Orono, Osseo, Maple Grove and Breckenridge in Minnesota, and Wahpeton in North Dakota. He also negotiated a treaty with the Chippewa in northern Dakota and Minnesota and was the trusted scout for the railroad, military and new settlers coming into this area. Minnesota Gov. Alexander Ramsey and later Governor General Henry Sibley both came to rely extensively on the services of Bottineau.
After plotting townsites for Wahpeton and Breckenridge in 1857, Bottineau was in demand to help negotiate peace treaties, plan new rail lines, establish new forts and show settlers the way West. He also continued to be active in acquiring real estate and establishing new communities. On July 1, 1859, his company purchased shares in the new community of Dakota City in eastern Dakota. This townsite was near the area where Fort Abercrombie would...