Bio of REGAN, William M. (b.1855), 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 824-825
WILLIAM M. REGAN
William M. Regan, president of the Regan Brothers Company of Minneapolis, is the
son of Michael and Mary (Gallagher) Regan and a native Ohioan, his birth having
occurred at Cincinnati, on the 17th of February, 1855. He was educated in the
public schools of his native city and St. Xavier College. At the conclusion of
his school days Mr. Regan went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he obtained a
position as a bookkeeper. In 1881 he left St. Louis to come to Minneapolis to
start a wholesale cracker factory. This enterprise, which was launched in the
winter of 1881-1882, developed into the present wholesale bakery business
conducted by the Regan Brothers Company, one of the most widely known industries
in the city, of which special mention is made elsewhere in this work. The steady
growth and prosperity of this firm have entitled Mr. Regan to his position as
one of the successful and enterprising business men of Minneapolis.
Mr. Regan has been twice married. He first married Miss Kate Sidle, and they
became the parents of four children: William H.; J. S.; Joseph M., who died in
1913; and Margaret L., who is now Mrs. Joseph D. Kenney of Long Beach,
California. Some time after the death of his first wife Mr. Regan married Mrs.
Esther S. Le Moine, the wedding taking place on the 11th of December, 1912.
Apart from his duties as the chief executive of a large and growing industry,
Mr. Regan has found time to take a leading part in many of the organizations of
the city. He was one of the first members of the Minneapolis Golf Club, while
the Minneapolis Athletic Club, of which he was a director for ten years, had its
beginning in his office. He is a charter member of the Rotary Club and belongs
to the Minneapolis Athletic Club, the Automobile Club of Minneapolis, the
Minneapolis Garden Club, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Travelers'
Club of America, the Minnesota Forestry Association, the Young Men's Christian
Association, the American Game Protective Association, the American Museum of
Natural History, and the National Geographic Society. He is also a member of the
Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts, an organization that has done some noteworthy
work toward creating a true cultural center in this northwestern city. Mr. Regan
is a member of Citizens' Staff of John A. Rawlins Post, G. A. R., this high
honor being conferred upon him by the unanimous vote of Rawlins Post.
Formerly Mr. Regan took an active part in politics in Minneapolis and has always
been a republican, but he has never sought any elective office for himself. He
is a member of the National Republican League. His public-spiritedness has been
directed chiefly toward the promotion of the growth and progress of the city, in
which he always takes a keen interest. The first move toward the organization of
the Minneapolis exposition was made in his office, on September 17, 1885, when
he wrote to E. G. Potter, president of the Produce Exchange, a letter asking for
a meeting of the members of that body to consider the matter. At this gathering
Mr. Regan was asked to explain the plans and purposes of such an organization,
which he did with such earnestness and enthusiasm that the project was launched
immediately. It is interesting to note that the letters which are given, below,
the note to Mr. Potter and his reply, bear the
same date:
Wm. M. Began John J. Regan Jos. M. Regan
REGAN'S MODEL BAKERY
426 NICOLLET AVE.
Minneapolis, Minn., Sept. 17, 1885. E. G. Potter Esq., President,
Produce Exchange of Minneapolis, City.
 Dear Sir:
We the undersigned members of the Minneapolis Produce Exchange respectfully
request you to call a special meeting of the members of said Exchange for the
purpose of considering the matter of an Annual Industrial Exposition in the City
of Minneapolis.
Yours truly.
(Signed) W. M. Regan, A. M. Clerihew Wesley Neill .H. F. Lillibridge Geo. R.
Newell C. B. Heffelfinger John I. Black Pratt Gilman & Francis J. K. Sidle T. B.
Janney John Dunham John C. Johnson H. M. Carpenter A. C. Loring & Co. Sidle,
Fletcher, Holmes & Co.
(REPLY)
BEEMAN & POTTER
COMMISSION MERCHANTS
City Market
Minneapolis, Minn., Sept. 17, 1885. Messrs. W. M. Regan, A. M. Clerihew, Wesley
Neill and others.
Gentlemen:
In answer to your request, which explains itself and which I very heartily
endorse, I will call a special meeting of the Produce Exchange to be held Monday
evening, Sept. 21st, at 8 o'clock at the rooms of the Produce Exchange, and
earnestly request the attendance of members and all others interested in the
Subject.
(Signed) E. G. Potter.
This is but one of the many movements for the commercial and civic upbuilding of
the city with which Mr. Regan has been conspicuously identified. In every way he
is ever in sympathy with the good projects for the betterment of Minneapolis,
not only its material growth, but also in its civic and social welfare.