Bio of GEDNEY, Matthias Anderson (b.1832 d.1905), 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

MATTHIAS ANDERSON GEDNEY - Vol II, pg 755-756
Matthias Anderson Gedney was long a familiar figure in Minneapolis and his name
is inseparably associated with the pioneer development and upbuilding of the
city. He believed in doing, not seeming; in actions, not words; and his
initiative spirit led him into new and untried fields where precedent did not
exist to guide, and where the resourcefulness and strength of the leader were
called upon to erect the signpost of progress and success. He was born at
Paterson, New Jersey, October 24, 1832, the second in order of birth in the
family of Absalom and Sarah Gedney, of Scotch and English origin. He was a
direct descendant of an old colonial family and was named in honor of his
maternal grandfather, receiving as his heritage a high sense of right and a
strong love of adventure.
When Matthias A. Gedney was very young his parents removed to New York city, and
during his boyhood he had the privilege of seeing General Lafayette on the
occasion of his last visit to the United States. Mr. Gedney attended the public
schools of New York city until he reached his fourteenth year and then went to
sea, serving first under Captain Gedney, a relative. At sixteen we find him upon
a man-o-war, the Ohio, a ship of the Mediterranean squadron, commanded by
Commodore Hull. He remained in the United States service until 1842 and was on
the brig Somers at the time of the so-called mutiny, which resulted in the
hanging of Philip Spencer and two other men. He felt that Commodore Perry had
the right conception of the affair when he said to Captain McKenzie: "It was
Just boys' play, and all they needed was the rope's end." The horror of this
scene remained with Mr. Gedney throughout his life and he was past seventy
before he could bring himself to speak of this tragedy. He left the navy after
that voyage and refused to re-enlist, although offered a com­mission. But when
the call for assistance came from the starving in Ireland in 1846, he was one of
the men to go with the first cargo of corn from New York. This voyage was
fraught with many dangers and hardships, the boat being so heavily laden that
the crew were continually drenched with spray, but they were amply repaid by the
gratitude of those poor people for the "Yankee corn."
In 1849 Mr. Gedney started for the gold fields of California, making the
dangerous voyage around Cape Horn in a sloop. He was successful in his quest for
the yellow metal and returned to New York, where he engaged in business. He was
married in that city on the 13th of October, 1852, to Miss Calista Jane Bailey,
second daughter of Stephen D. and Eliza (Dingee) Bailey of New York city, and
purchased a home near Central Park, where two daughters were born to them. In
1856 he removed with his little family to La Crosse, Wisconsin, making the
latter part of the journey up the Mississippi by boat, as no railroads had as
yet been constructed in that part of the country. In 1863, in order that his
children might have better educational advan­tages, he went to Illinois,
settling near Evanston. The point just north of the town is considered one of
the most dangerous on Lake Michigan and today a lighthouse and lifesaving crew
render effective aid to seamen in distress. But at that time a disabled vessel
at the mercy of the wind was no very unusual sight and Mr. Gedney never failed
to accompany those who went to its rescue.
In 1864 Mr. Gedney became identified with the Northwestern Pickle Works, one of
the first companies to engage in this business in the west, and in 1876 he
became a member of the firm of S. M. Dingee & Company. Being convinced that
Minneapolis afforded better opportunities for the development of his business,
he came to this city in 1881 and founded the M. A. Gedney Pickling Company, of
which he served as president until his last illness. He was one of the pioneers
in this field, in which he ever maintained a position of leadership, and with
the passing years the undertaking steadily developed, owing to his
administrative powers and untiring labors. The business has become one of
extensive proportions and is continued by his son under the name of the M. A.
Gedney Company, of which he is the president.
To Mr. and Mrs. Gedney were born twelve children: Annie Gertrude, Emma Louise,
Sarah Eugene, John Parker, Stephen Bailey, Charles Bailey, William Anderson,
Calista Calinda, Mary Anderson, Isadore Vallier, Henry Edwin and Edward Leigh.
Of this family three daughters and five sons are living. On the 19th of June,
1874, the wife and mother was called to her final rest and her demise was deeply
regretted, not only by the family but also by a large circle of friends, for her
many admirable traits of character endeared her to all with whom she came into
contact. On the 12th of July, 1879, Mr. Gedney was again married, his second
union being with Miss Anna S. Kirk of New York, youngest daughter of Robert and
Fanny (Sherwood) Kirk.
Always a man of high moral character, with a great respect for the Christian
religion, Mr. Gedney was led to unite with the church through the eloquence of
Dr. Raymond, pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church, and his faith was
strong and abiding. He passed away in this city on the 20th of February, 1905,
in his eighty-third year, and the many letters and messages of heartfelt
sympathy and the profusion of floral tributes assured the members of his family
that they did not mourn alone. He never grew old, but as the years passed his
character broadened and sweetened. He was ever charitable toward the faults of
others and to know him was to be his friend. Benevolent and sympathetic, his
hand was ever open to the poor and needy, and his kindly actions were the
outpouring of a generous spirit and the expression of a nature that reached out
to all humanity. He was a manly man, fond of books, music, flowers and all that
was most beautiful in art and nature, and a devoted husband and father.
The estimation in which Mr. Gedney was held by his business associates is
evidenced by the following resolutions, adopted by the National Pickle Packers
Asso­ciation at their meeting at St. Louis, Missouri, May 17, 19.05:
"Be it resolved, That the members of the National Pickle Packers Association, in
convention assembled at the Planters Hotel in the city of St. Louis, this 17th
day of May, 1905, pay tribute to the memory of a Just and truly good man,
Matthias Anderson Gedney, who was the fourth member this association has lost by
death in the space of one short year. This sad loss brings to us memories of the
past, and should forcibly impress us with the thought of our great
responsibility of the future.
"Such a life is a fitting example; the hardships endured and the honorable
positions attained should be of great encouragement to those of us who may feel
that our lot in life is harder than that of others. Then let us compare our
lives with his, and may we so fashion after higher and grander lives that when
our time here shall end we, too, may reap the lasting reward and in the sweet
beyond join our friend and brother member, of whom so many beautiful words have
been spoken by friends and press.
"Resolved further, That we place this tribute to his memory upon the records of
this Association, and as an expression of our sympathy a copy be sent to his
family. May it be to them a solace to remember in days to come that he went to
his reward full of years, a true Christian and honored by all." (Signed) J.
Wagoner, Chairman.
Mr. Gedney's life was an eventful one, filled with varied experiences, guided by
high ideals, and characterized by the successful accomplishment of valuable
results. Of him it may well be said:
"He has joined the choir invisible Of those immortal dead who live again In
lives made better by their presence."