Bio of DU TOIT, George A. Jr. (b.1888), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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GEORGE A. DU TOIT, Jr. - Vol II, pg 727-728
The record of George A. Du Toit, Jr., is an interesting and inspiring one,
showing the force and value of industry, persistency of purpose and strength of
character. He was born in Chaska, Minnesota, October 4, 1888, a son of George A.
and Mary (Dana) Du Toit and a grandson of Frederick E. Du Toit, who settled in
New York on his emigration from Switzerland to the new world. On leaving the
east he took up his abode in Chaska, Minnesota, where he established his home in
1856, casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers who were reclaiming this
region for the purposes of civilization. George A. Du Toit, Sr., was a lad of
about seven years when he accompanied his father on the removal from New York to
Minnesota. He joined the army in early manhood and was stationed at Fort Ripley
at the time of the Indian outbreak and massacre there, escaping death only by
reason of the fact that he had contracted small­pox and was in an isolation camp
about six miles from the fort when the red men made their attack. The lives of
both Mr. Du Toit and his attendant were thus saved. It was in 1879, when a young
man of about thirty-one years, that he founded the first bank in Carver county
and thereafter was continuously and prominently identified with financial
interests to the time of his demise, operating a chain of banks in Minnesota for
a number of years. He was one of the oldest and most honored representatives of
financial activity in the commonwealth and was always active in the Minnesota
State Bankers Association, serving for several terms as chairman of its
executive committee. He was also treasurer of the Minnesota Sugar Company and
his business interests were ever of a character which contributed to public
progress and prosperity, as well as to individual success. He was an intimate
friend of the late James J. Hill and his posi­tion was that of one of the most
honored and highly respected men of Minnesota, not only by reason of what he
accomplished but also owing to the straightforward busi­ness policy he ever
followed. As a member of the state capitol commission he had charge of the
erection of the present capitol. He belonged to the Minnesota Historical Society
and was not only a witness of much of the growth and development of the state
but also contributed his full share to the transformation of the commonwealth
from a frontier district into one of the most progressive states in the Union.
He passed away February 20, 1923, when seventy-five years of age, leaving a
widow and four children: George A., Jr., of this review; Dana, who is a resident
of Chaska, Minnesota; Mrs. Henry Carlson and Mrs. Addison Lewis, both of whom
make their home in Minneapolis.
George A. Du Toit, Jr., was educated in the schools of Chaska and in the
University of Minnesota, in which he completed a course in mechanical
engineering with the class of 1910. For practical experience he went into the
shops of the Minneapolis Steel & Machinery Company, where he remained for two
years, acquainting himself with many phases of the business. He then became
purchasing agent and occupied that responsible position for eleven years. Ever
watchful of opportunities for advancement and anxious to engage in business on
his own account, in March, 1921, in connection with M. C. Barnum, he bought out
the Northern Machinery Company, of which he has since been treasurer. This
business was established in 1883, incorporated in 1903 and was owned by Canadian
capital up to the time it was taken over by Mr. Du Toit and his partner. They
manufacture wood and iron working machinery and the trade covers Minnesota,
North and South Dakota and part of Wisconsin. During the World war Mr. Du Toit
had charge of the ordnance work of the Minneapolis Steel & Machinery Company for
the United States government, the corporation making thirty-five million
dollars' worth of munitions for the United States.
In 1914 Mr. Du Toit was married to Miss Florence Hill of Minneapolis and they
have one son, Charles H. Mr. Du Toit belongs to the Beta Theta Pi, a college
fraternity, and is also a member of the Minneapolis Athletic Club, but the major
part of his time and attention is given to his business affairs. He is an expert
engineer, a high-class executive and in his present connection has developed a
business of large and gratifying proportions. Already he has attained a place in
commercial circles that many an older man might well envy and his progress is
the direct outcome of his capability and persistency of purpose.