Nobles County MN Archives Biographies.....Newell, Thomas G. 1858 - 
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Author: Arthur P. Rose (1908)

  DR. THOMAS G. NEWELL, practicing physician and dentist of Adrian, was one of

the first settlers of the village, and has taken a very active part in the

affairs of his town. He has the honor of having operated the first telegraph

instrument in Adrian and of serving as the first mayor.



  Dr. Newell was born in St. Clair, Mich., Feb. 4, 1858, of Scotch parentage. At

the age of 11 years he went to Rochester, Minn. At an early age he learned

telegraphy, and for a time was employed on the Sioux City & St. Paul railroad as

relief agent. On Sept. 19, 1877, he went to the new town of Adrian, on the newly

constructed Worthington & Sioux Falls railroad, and took the position of station

agent and telegraph operator. He installed and operated the first telegraph

instrument, and was in charge of the office until 1885. Freight and passenger

rates were just about double what they are now, passenger rates being five cents

per mile, and telegraph tolls were very high. Ninety cents was the cost of

sending a telegram to St. Paul, and $1.55 to Chicago.



  During this first period of his residence in Adrian, Mr. Newell did much for

the good of the town. Through his influence with the railroad company the

village received its public park of six acres, the land being donated by the

railroad company. When the town was incorporated in 1881 he was chosen the first

mayor and was reelected the following year and again in 1883. He gave up his

position as agent in 1885, and was succeeded by his brother, Henry Newell, who

is now agent for the Santa Fe road at Redlands, Cal. He was in turn succeeded by

another brother. Geo. A. Newell, who is now assistant freight agent of the O. R.

& N. railway, with headquarters at Wallace, Idaho.



  After surrendering the station in 1885 Mr. Newell left Adrian, and was absent

ten years, during which time he resided in several different places. While away

he attended a medical and dental school at Kansas City, Mo., from which he

received diplomas in both medicine and dentistry. Dr. Newell returned to Adrian

June 10, 1895, and began the practice of his profession, which he has since

followed. In addition to his city property he owns two farms—one of 160 acres on

section 5, Olney township; the other of 160 acres on section 27, Larkin township.



  Dr. Newell was married at Adrian Aug. 16, 1882, to Annie Clark, of

Worthington. To them have been born eight children, as follows: Thomas W., born

at Elysian, Minn., June 21, 1887; Raymond, born at Amenia, N. D., Aug. 27, 1888;

Annie, born at Cando, N. D., Oct. 19, 1891; Rosa, born at Shakopee, Minn., Sept.

19, 1893; Octavia, born at Adrian May 8, 1896; Yetieve, born at Adrian Aug. 16,

1898; George, born at Adrian Oct. 7, 1900; Antonio, born at Adrian Oct. 4, 1904.



Additional Comments:
Extracted from:



AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY

MINNESOTA

BY

ARTHUR P. ROSE



NORTHERN HISTORY PUBLISHING COMPANY 

WORTHINGTON, MINNESOTA 

PUBLISHERS

1908

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