Bio of GUILFORD, Jonas (b.1839 d.1909), 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

JONAS GUILFORD - Vol II, pg 562-565
On the 9th of May, 1909, the earthly career of Jonas Guilford was ended. He had
traveled life's journey for almost the Psalmist's allotted span of threescore
years and ten and had been a resident of Minneapolis from 1866. His entire
career reflected credit and honor upon the legal profession, of which he was a
prominent representative, long occupying a distinguished position as a member of
the Minne­sota bar. His birth occurred in Spencer, Worcester county,
Massachusetts, in Septem­ber, 1839, and he was a son of Asa and Mary (Adams)
Guilford, a grandson of Dr. Guilford of Spencer and a great-grandson of John
Guilford, who was the founder of the family at Spencer, while representatives of
the name had settled in America as early as 1650, the progenitor of the family
on the soil of the new world having come from Kent, England. Ancestors of Jonas
Guilford in both the paternal and maternal lines participated in the
Revolutionary war and in stirring events leading up to that struggle and also
events which featured in the organization and develop­ment of the new republic.
The mother of Jonas Guilford belonged to the distin­guished Adams family of
America most prominently represented by two presidents. John Adams and John
Quincy Adams. Nathan Guilford, an uncle of Jonas Guilford. was an eminent
educator of Ohio and was commonly credited as the father of the public school
system of that state. His parents came to Minneapolis in 1870 and both remained
residents of this city until called to their final rest.
Jonas Guilford pursued his preparatory education in Leicester Academy and
afterward matriculated in Amherst College, from which he was graduated with the
class of 1864. The country was then involved in the throes of the Civil war and
he immediately enlisted, serving until the close of hostilities. He then entered
upoa preparation for a professional career and in 1866 was graduated from the
Albany (N. Y.) Law School, after which he at once went to St. Louis, expecting
there to engage in the practice of his profession. One of the old and prominent
members of the bar in that city, however, advised him to locate in Minneapolis,
believing that he would have better opportunities in the growing city of the
north. Acting upon the advice, he opened an office here and was soon well
established in practice, gain­ing an extensive clientage that classed him with
the leading lawyers of the state to the time when failing health and advancing
years obliged him to put aside his professional activities. He numbered among
his clients some of the foremost busi­ness men and corporations of the city. He
carried many cases to the higher courts, both state and federal, and won many
notable forensic victories, embracing prin­ciples of extensive application,
which contributed largely to the future interpreta­tion of legal questions. Mr.
Guilford always maintained his office on the east side and gave his attention
largely to matters pertaining to that section of the city. During the last
twenty years of his life, however, he resided on the west side, though he
continued to represent his old clients and friends on the east side and those
who needed legal assistance constantly sought his advice to the end of his
professional career.
In 1869 Jonas Guilford was united in marriage to Miss Helen Morrill, who was
born in Danville, Vermont, and became a resident of Minneapolis in 1867. Their
children are: Paul Willis, Harry Morrill and Harriet. The sons are both
graduates of the University of Minnesota and the former is" engaged in law
practice, while the latter has become a physician and served as a member of the
board of health. The daughter is a graduate of Carleton College and resides with
her mother at No. 1820 Hawthorne avenue. Mrs. Guilford belongs to the Daughters
of the American Revo­lution, for like her husband she is also descended from
ancestors who fought for American independence and she is a direct descendant of
several of the old and distinguished families of New England. Her home contains
many interesting sou­venirs and relics, each having individual historic interest
and value. Among the papers of interest in her possession is the first deed that
was given for property in St. Anthony. Both Mr. and Mrs. Guilford were members
of the Lowry Hill Con­gregational church and he took a most active and helpful
interest in promoting the material, intellectual, social and moral progress of
the community. His enviable professional position was equalled by the high
regard which was tendered him as a man and a citizen and his name is indelibly
impressed upon the history of Minneapolis.