Bio of HOSKINSON, Harold L. (b.1859), 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

HAROLD L. HOSKINSON - Vol II, pg 345-346
There is no man who has done more to foster literary talent and promote literary
ability than did Harold L. Hoskinson as editor of the Progress. In this
connection he brought to public attention the writings of many who have since
gained fame and fortune and it was a matter of intense joy to him when he could
aid some young person struggling to gain recognition of his literary power and
skill. Moreover, Mr. Hoskin­son was identified with various public movements
relating to municipal affairs and there are many tangible evidences of his
support of important public projects that can be cited.
Harold L. Hoskinson was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, on the 1st of August, 1859,
a son of Major T. J. and Sarah (Williams) Hoskinson and a grandson of William
and Eleanor (Moore) Hoskinson. He was also descended from Revolutionary war
stock, and one of his great-grandfathers, laid to rest in the cemetery at Erie,
Pennsyl­vania, has been honored with the erection of a monument by the Daughters
of the Revolution, the only soldier of that long conflict that lies buried in
that silent city of the dead. The grandfather, William Hoskinson, was a pioneer
builder of Erie and a number of the substantial structures of the city still
stand as monuments to his skill.
Harold L. Hoskinson spent the first nineteen years of his life in his native
city, was educated in the public schools and in the spring of 1877 was appointed
captain's clerk to Commander H. B. Robeson of the warship Vandalia, which had
been set apart to convey President Grant and his party on the Mediterranean
branch of his famous around-the-world trip. Mr. Hoskinson was appointed to the
position with the rank of ensign in the United States navy and thus came into
active association with one with whom his father had been a fellow officer at
Fort Donelson and at Appomat-tox. The vessel touched at points in the Azores,
Portugal, Spain and the south of France and received its guest of honor, General
Grant, at Villefranche, together with his wife and son, Jesse. They visited
Italy, Egypt and the Holy Land, spent Christmas day at Palermo in Sicily and New
Year's at Malta and Ensign Hoskinson made the trip to the great pyramids on
horseback as the companion of young Jesse Grant, for between the two lads there
had sprung up a warm friendship and together they ascended to the top of the
great Cheops pyramid. That the life of the young ensign was greatly enriched by
the experiences of his tour cannot be doubted and through­out his after career
he would on appropriate occasions relate many interesting incidents of the
journey. With the party he visited Santa Sophia, the great mosque at
Con­stantinople, formerly one of the leading churches of Christendom. He was
present at performances of the operas in Venice, Naples and Barcelona, to which
complimentary admission was extended to General Grant and his party, and that he
enjoyed the benefit of close association with the party is indicated in the fact
that he appears in many of the photographs taken of the travelers. Moreover, the
discipline and training of the navy were undoubtedly of great value to him in
developing his remarkable sense of order and exactness, which characterized him
throughout his life.
Mr. Hoskinson arrived in Minneapolis in 1887, when a young man of twenty-eight
years, but soon afterward was recalled to his native city on business and did
not permanently settle here until 1889. In January, 1890, he entered into
partnership with H. H. Rowell in the purchase of the Saturday Evening Spectator
and in January, 1894, as a result of litigation, the two relinquished their
interests in that publication and purchased the Progress, which they made
similar in purpose to the Spectator, draw­ing their patronage largely from the
patrons of the former paper. In this connection Mr. Hoskinson displayed splendid
business ability and management. The Progress became the official organ of the
Authors' Club and its successor, the Writers' League of Minneapolis, and soon
won the distinction of being the serial holding first rank in the country for
publication of original poetic contributions. The writings of many men of note
appeared in this paper, men who won their first laurels thereby. Follow­ing the
death of Mr. Hoskinson his former partner, business associate and close friend
wrote, from his new home in Lewiston, Idaho: "Our partnership lasted for nearly
nineteen years, or until October 1, 1908, when I sold my interest in the
Progress to Mr. Hoskinson, who continued its publication. He had a genius for
details, a persistent spirit and a habit of industry that were very important
elements in the arduous duties of newspaper publications. We had many
interesting experiences in the ups and downs of the business and many vivid
memories remain of our newspaper labors together in Minneapolis."
On the 19th of June, 1890, Mr. Hoskinson was united in marriage to Miss Louise
A. Sweeney of Decatur, Illinois, and theirs was an ideally happy married life.
Their interests were ever one and their keenest pleasures were shared together.
Mr. Hoskinson did not confine his attention to the activities of his business
nor of his home, but recognized his duties and obligations in other connections.
He was particularly interested in municipal affairs and possessed expert
knowledge concerning real estate, tax and property laws and proceedings. During
the latter years of his life he served on various commissions appointed by the
city council for the widening or opening and paving of streets and the appraisal
and taxation problems connected therewith and he worked most diligently, one of
his friends saying of him in this connection "he worked on these committees as
few men have ever worked, painfully exacting and feverishly interested but
always in sympathy with the under dog. The most important of these commissions
was the one which solved the problem of the widening of North Seventh street and
its opening across North Minneapolis up to Plymouth avenue, the largest
enterprise of its kind that the city has undertaken for many years." He acted as
adviser to the city in relation to many important estates and problems that
arose in connection therewith. He was actively interested in the first
Minneapolis Press Club from its organization, served as one of its officers and
largely promoted its welfare. He was also a member and officer of other clubs. A
fitting tribute has been paid to Mr. Hoskinson by Victor Nilsson, who in an
article which appeared in the Progress following the death of the editor and
owner said: "The Latin poet wrote of old over a departed friend words in beauty
unexcelled. Too seldom can they with truth and justice be repeated at the grave
of any Christian man. Singularly well do they fit the simple, true-hearted,
honest American man who now rests in beautiful Lakewood:
'Integer vitae Scelerisque purus,'
Such was Harold L. Hoskinson, of integrity in a life free from blame and
blemish."