New Book Chronicles Contributions of Pillsbury Family

In addition to making Minnesota the milling capital of the world, the Pillsbury family also made significant contributions in business, education, architecture and politics.

On Thursday, June 9, over 60 people attended a presentation by Lori Sturdevant and George S. Pillsbury about their new book entitled The Pillsburys of Minnesota at Wayzata Community Church.

“These folks didn’t know when to quit,” said Sturdevant, a 30-year veteran editorial writer and columnist for the Star Tribune. “They contributed to build strong communities.”

Published in April 2011, the book provides an overview of the significant achievements and contributions of the Pillsbury family to the state of Minnesota. It also includes a timeline dating back to when the Pillsbury family first arrived in the U.S. from England in 1640.

When most people think of the Pillsbury family, they think of flour milling, but the family’s interests and accomplishments were many. The Pillsbury family became a major institution in Minnesota.

“The book is the whole history of Minnesota through one family’s eyes,” said Sturdevant.

Soon after his arrival in Minnesota in 1885, John S. Pillsbury became heavily involved in civic life. From 1876 to 1882, John S. Pillsbury served as Minnesota’s eighth governor. He was also a noted philanthropist.

 “There was a New England sense that came with this family from New Hampshire,” said Sturdevant. “Some of their values were reinforced by the values of the Scandinavians who came with similar notions about what citizenship entailed.”

The Pillsbury family was very civic minded believing that “everyone participates according to his or her means,” said Sturdevant.

In 1867, John S. Pillsbury sponsored a bill to start the University of Minnesota. He was referred to as “The Father of the University” and later served as a regent.

The idea for The Pillsburys of Minnesota evolved from a long-standing friendship between Sturdevant and George S. Pillsbury. When she suggested he write a book about his family, he suggested that she do it and encouraged her to do so.

The idea was born.

Sturdevant spent three years researching the Pillsbury family, which included a visit to New Hampshire to explore the family’s roots. She also interviewed many family members and reviewed archives at the Minnesota Historical Society and General Mills (which purchased Pillsbury in 2001).

The presentation at Wayzata Community Church was part of the Literary Minds Author Events program, which is a collaboration between the church and The Bookcase of Wayzata.

Author events are free and open to the public.

For information on future author events, visit www.wayzatacommunitychurch.org.

 The Pillsburys of Minnesota is available at The Bookcase of Wayzata, which is located at 607 East Lake Street in Wayzata.