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Dakota Datebook
January 5, 2008
"Dakota’s First Delegate to Congress"

Sometimes, it’s “who you know.”

John B. Todd was a lowly captain in the US Army, stationed at Ft. Pierre, in Dakota Territory.

Todd resigned his commission in 1856 to become a “sutler” or military post trader near Vermillion in present day South Dakota.

Todd’s career however was jump-started by the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. After the Civil War broke out, Todd was appointed by Lincoln to the rank of brigadier general and afterward, was elected the first delegate to congress from Dakota Territory.

How did a lowly trader from the wilds of Dakota Territory become a general and a congressman?
John Todd was a cousin to none other than Mary Todd Lincoln, the president’s wife!

Congressman Todd died on this date in 1872.

Lounsberry, Colonel Charles A., North Dakota; History and People, Outlines of American History, Volume 1, S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1917. pg. 214

This text and audio may not be copied without securing prior permission from North Dakota Public Radio.

Dakota Datebook is a project of North Dakota Public Radio, in partnership with the State Historical Society of North Dakota, with funding from the North Dakota Humanities Council. Hosted by Merrill Piepkorn, written by Merry Helm, and produced by Bill Thomas.

North Dakota Public Radio is a service of Prairie Public Broadcasting in association with North Dakota State University and the University of North Dakota.

Dakota Datebook January 5, 2008 "Dakota’s First Delegate to Congress"

This text and audio may not be copied without securing prior permission from North Dakota Public Radio.

Dakota Datebook
January 5, 2008
"Dakota’s First Delegate to Congress"