Johannes "John" Lind, Also known as "Honest John", (March 25, 1854 – September 18, 1930) was an American politician from Minnesota. He served as the 14th governor of Minnesota from 1899 to 1901 and represented the state in the United States Congress for four terms. Lind also played an important role in the Mexican Revolution as an envoy for President Woodrow Wilson.

Early life and career

Lind was born on March 25, 1854, in Kånna, Kronoberg County in the Swedish province of Småland. He was born to the farmer Peter Gustaf Jonasson and his wife Katrina Jonasdotter. Lind would lose to incumbent David Marston Clough by only 0.06% of the vote, the closest to winning the Democrats or Populists had yet gotten.

Lind served in the Spanish–American War in 1898.

Upon returning, he was unanimously nominated once again by the Democratic and Populist parties for the 1898 Minnesota gubernatorial election. Upon his victory, Lind gave a speech in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota where credited his victory to the previous efforts the Farmer's Alliance and the Populist Party.

Governor of Minnesota

thumb|left|Lind seated at his desk in the Minnesota State Capitol

He served as the 14th governor of Minnesota from January 2, 1899, to January 7, 1901.

Facing re-election in 1900, Lind had opposition from both within the Democratic party, and much more from within the Populist party. Populist convention, held August 30, 1900, would split, with one behind Adolphe Paradis, and another, nicknamed the 'Bolter's Convention', nominating Lind. Paradis would not continue his run for governor independent of Lind, instead asking Lind to return to the convention for a 'fair fight', and a primary. Lind did not return to the Populist convention, and as Paradis was no longer officially running, Lind won by default. Within the Democratic party, Lind faced continued opposition from Party Boss Michael Doran. Doran stated "Let him with the nomination, he will be slaughtered at the polls."

Later career

In 1902, Lind was first hoped to run for governor again, but declined. Leonard A. Rosing, with Lind's support, would be nominated instead.

Lind also served in the United States House of Representatives from March 4, 1903, to March 3, 1905, now as a Democrat representing Minnesota's 5th congressional district. Around this time, Lind developed a political rivalry with fellow Democrat John Albert Johnson, who was elected governor in 1904. Despite a personal rivalry, they both agreed not to run against each other. Following Governor Johnson's death in 1909, the Democratic Party was without a candidate in 1910. Lind was asked to run again that year, but declined.

Mexican Revolution

thumb|Lind (right) in 1914.

On March 4, 1913, Woodrow Wilson was sworn in as President of the United States shortly after the February 22 assassination of Mexican President Francisco I. Madero and Vice President José María Pino Suárez. It soon became clear that U.S. Ambassador Henry Lane Wilson was complicit in the plot.

General Victoriano Huerta was now president of Mexico, and Wilson and Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan immediately sent Lind to Mexico as Envoy for Mexican Affairs. Lind had financial interests in Mexico and had long-standing ties with other U.S. landholders.

Lind attempted to persuade Huerta to call prompt elections and not stand as a candidate in them, but Huerta refused. Lind "threatened a military intervention by the United States in case the demands were rejected," but promised an American loan to Mexico if Huerta stepped aside. When rebellions broke against the Huerta regime, Lind backed Venustiano Carranza, a large landowner and former Governor of Coahuila, and his Constitutionalist faction against more radical elements in the rebellion, mainly Constitutionalist Army general Pancho Villa.

Later influence

In 1914, Lind was a staunch supporter of Democratic candidate Winfield Scott Hammond, who had been his friend for over thirty years at that point. Lind was unable to participate in the campaigning due to being ill.

In 1918, Lind led the State Labor Convention, which resulted in the founding of the Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party.

Personal life

thumb|right|Lind's house in Minneapolis, built 1905–1907

In 1879 he married Alice A. Shepard.

Lind was known for having a temper. According to an article on the front page of the Moose Lake (Minnesota) Star on January 17, 1901: "Ex-governor John Lind after having freed himself from the duties of the governor last Thursday walked down to the Dispatch office in St. Paul and administered to Editor Black a well-deserved licking. For a one-armed man, John Lind can make some telling blows once in a while."

Death

He died on September 18, 1930, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was buried in Lakewood Cemetery.

See also

  • List of United States governors born outside the United States

References

  • John Lind house at the City of Minneapolis website.
  • John Lind photographs at the Hennepin County Library.
  • John Lind photographs at the Minnesota Historical Society.
  • Biographical information, his gubernatorial records, and personal papers are available for research use at the Minnesota Historical Society.