Bio of ELWELL, Edwin S.(b.1886), 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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EDWIN S. ELWELL - Vol III, pg 496-498
Edwin S. Elwell, president of the Northland Milk & Ice Cream Company, of
Minneapolis, was born in this city, March 3, 1886, and is a son of James T. and
Lizzie (Alden) Elwell. The father has been prominent in civil, political and
social affairs of the city for many years, serving as a member of the house of
representatives and also for two terms in the state senate. He was born in
Minnesota and is actuated by the spirit of progress and enterprise, which have
always been dominant factors in the upbuilding of this great and growing section
of the country. His early life was spent in Washington county, Minnesota, and
excellent educational opportunities were accorded him. After leaving the public
schools he attended Carleton College at Northfield and at the age of sixteen
years he became known as the inventor of a spring bed. He soon began to
manufacture. This constituted his initial step in the development of two of the
largest manufacturing institutions of the Northwest, the Minneapolis Furniture
Company, of which George H. Elwell is now the head, and the Minneapolis Bedding
Company, which is an outgrowth of the first named concern, having been founded
by C. M. Way, who was active in the furniture company but withdrew to organize
the latter enterprise that has grown and developed until it is a close second to
the original company. Not only has Senator Elwell contributed in notable measure
to the business development and progress of the city and state but he has in
many other ways furthered the welfare of Minnesota. All through the university
district there are many splendid elm trees, which were planted through the
instrumentality or influence of Mr. Elwell and which now furnish grateful shade
to the city as well as adding largely to its beauty. In 1882 he laid out
Elwell's addition to Minneapolis, which he improved not only through the
planting of trees but also by the erection of fifty-five houses on the tract.
When this was put on the market he began platting Elwell's second addition and
again he greatly beautified the district by his tree planting. This was followed
by Elwell's third addition and then by Elwell and Higgin's addition. Mr. Elwell
was a pioneer in the matter of reclaiming lands through a system of drain­age.
He bought fifty-two thousand seven hundred acres in the eastern part of Anoka
county, largely low land and meadow, and was instrumental in bringing about the
construction of about two hundred miles of ditching on the property, thus
reclaiming many thousands of acres of otherwise almost valueless land, which has
been converted into excellent farms. Senator Elwell has likewise been the
champion of the good roads movement, enthusiastically supporting any practical
plan or project for the improvement of the public highways. He early advocated
the subject of good straight roads for the farming communities and by way of
showing how valuable they could be he built eight miles of straight fine road,
connecting his two stock farms. This was the first highway of its kind in the
state and was built at a cost of about a thousand dollars per mile. As a member
of the Legislature he labored earnestly in support of good roads and was also
active in promoting the stock raising interests. In 1906 he was elected to the
state senate from the thirty-ninth district and was well known in that body
through his efforts in behalf of the State University. He is a stanch supporter
of Minne­apolis and her progress and his cooperation can always be counted upon
to further any plan or measure for the benefit and upbuilding of the state. He
has long been an enthusiastic worker in St. Anthony's Commercial Club, of which
he has been president, and he is at all times actively and helpfully interested
in every matter of civic virtue and of civic pride.
The birth of Senator Elwell occurred on a farm in Ramsey county, July 2, 1855.
and on the 28th of June, 1882, he wedded Miss Lizzie A. Alden, by whom he has a
family of nine children, five sons and four daughters: James T., Jr., Edwin S.,
Alden W., Lawrence R., Watson R., Margaret A., Elizabeth, Ruth and Mary. The
family have long been prominent in the social circles of Minneapolis and attend
the Como Avenue Congregational church.
The son, Edwin S. Elwell, was educated in the public and high schools of
Minneapolis and was graduated from the University of Minnesota with the class of
1910, having completed his studies there as a law student and was admitted to
the bar but never practiced. While attending the university he became engaged in
the milk business on his own responsibility and in 1914 he incorporated his
business affairs under the name of the Elwell Dairy Farm. In 1912 the Modern
Milk Company was organized and was consolidated with other companies of similar
nature, the business being continued under the original name. Mr. Elwell is vice
president of the Elwell Dairy Farm, as well as president of the Modern Milk
Company, and is a director in the Minneapolis National Bank. He is a director of
the International Milk Dealers Association and also treasurer of the Minneapolis
Milk Dealers Association. On October 1, 1922, The Modern Milk Company, The
Elwell Dairy Farm (Inc.), The Metropolitan Milk Company, and the Quaker Creamery
Company were consolidated as The Northland Milk & Ice Cream Company. The general
offices are located in a spacious new building at Nos. 11-15 West Twenty-eighth
street.
On the 7th of February, 1915, Mr. Elwell was united in marriage to Miss Veda
Loomis of Minneapolis and they have become parents of two children: Edwin S.,
who was born July 10, 1916; and Eleanor Ruth, born December 29, 1919.
The nature and breadth of Mr. Elwell's interest is indicated somewhat in the
list of his membership connections. He is identified with the Minneapolis
Athletic Club, the Minneapolis Golf Club, the Minneapolis Automobile Club, the
Calhoun Commercial Club, the West Side Commercial Club, the Lake Street District
of the Association of Commerce, with the Delta Theta Phi, a law fraternity, and
with the various Masonic bodies, including Zuhrah Temple of the Mystic Shrine.
More­over, he is chairman of the board of trustees of the Knox Presbyterian
church. His life has been characterized by a progressive spirit that has found
its fulfillment in the successful accomplishment of his purposes in the line of
business and in behalf of public welfare. High and honorable principles have
always actuated him at every point in his career and his sterling worth is
attested by all with whom he has been associated.