Bio of NEWELL, George R. (b.1845 d.1921), 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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Vol II, pg 358-361
GEORGE R. NEWELL
George R. Newell will long be remembered in Minneapolis, not only because he
founded one of the large business houses of the city which will perpetuate his
name, but because of the work he did to help build the city from a village to a
metropolis and, most of all, for his nobility of character which still exerts
its influence on the lives of all who knew him and cherish his memory. He was
born in Essex county, New York, July 31, 1845. His early education was limited
to a few years of school life, principally because he was eager for a business
career. At the age of twelve he left school to become a clerk in a general
store, where he was employed for eight years. In 1866 he came to Minneapolis and
took a position as clerk in the Nicollet Hotel, but he remained there only a
short time. His inclination was for a mercantile life, so he found employment as
a clerk in the wholesale grocery concern of Stevens, Morse & Bull. After some
years he, with H. G. Harrison, purchased the business and conducted it under the
firm name of Newell & Harrison. It was in 1874 he formed the firm of Newell &
Harrison with H. G. Harrison as a partner. Mr. Newell took over the entire
business himself in 1882, the name changing to George R. Newell & Company.
Subsequently the company was incorporated and Louis B. Newell, now president of
the corporation, was made secretary and treasurer. Throughout its existence this
house has enjoyed a steady growth and for many years has been recognized as one
of the leading wholesale grocery establishments of the Northwest.
In 1876 Mr. Newell married Mrs. Blodgett, widow of Randolph Blodgett of Buffalo,
New York, who bore the maiden name of Alida Ferris. Mrs. Newell had a son by her
first marriage, Louis Blodgett, whom Mr. Newell legally adopted as hi? son,
Louis B. Newell. The son is now president of George R. Newell & Company.
Mr. Newell took a warm interest in the welfare and development of Minneapolis,
an advocate and helper of every good movement. As his business expanded he
became connected with other enterprises, holding a place on the board of
directors of the St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railroad and a similar position in
the National Grocers' Association. He held a high rank in the Masonic
fraternity, in which he had attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish
Rite and was a member of the Minikahda and Minneapolis clubs. Always an active
participant in the business, social and civic life of the city, Mr. Newell so
ordered his affairs that Minneapolis was the gainer because of his residence
there.
When Mr. Newell died on November 15, 1921, Dr. Marion D. Shutter penned this
commemoration of him:
"He came here a mere boy, unknown, untried, with empty hands. He has left us in
the fulness of years and achievements. Mr. Newell illustrated in his own person
a typical American, a typical Northwestern, a typical Minnesota career-the rise
through pluck and energy from poverty and obscurity to position and power. The
spirit of ancestors who go back to colonial days was in him, and with a common
school education, but with grit and courage, from a clerk in a store he became
the head of a great and successful business, a director in other enterprises,
and the founder of important commercial organizations. Of commanding personality
and strong convictions, he left his impress upon every movement with which he
was connected. In the earliest years of his activities he traveled much over the
Northwest and made friends of retail dealers who have since come to the front in
leading Minnesota cities He drew their attention and their trade to Minneapolis,
and thus caused the business of the city to ramify through an ever-expanding
territory. Many dealers throughout the regions beyond came to believe in
Minneapolis because first of all they came to believe in George N. Newell.
"Friends have testified to his generosity of heart, his open-handed liberality,
and deeds of kindness recorded only in the hearts of those they blessed."