William D. Hale (1836-1915), Sergeant Major, Third Minnesota Infantry; Major, Fourth U.S. Colored Artillery - Circa 1864

From a Minnesota photo album (see below) a high-res scan of an original carte de visite (Cdv) of William D. Hale, published in the early 1860's and now in the public domain. Although this particular card has no identification on it, Hale was easily identified from two other Cdv’s at the Minnesota Historical Society.

Due to the traces of a Civil War Revenue stamp on the reverse, initiated by the Gov't in Aug 1864, I believe the photo dates to 1864-65, when Hale was an officer of the 4th Regt. U.S. Colored Artillery. Below, is a short bio of William Hale, and below that, other related links at the Minn. Historical Society and Findagrave.
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The Book of Minnesotans: A Biographical Dictionary of Leading Living Men of the State of Minnesota
Published 1907

“Hale, William Dinsmore, postmaster of Minneapolis, soldier; born at Norridgewock, Me., Aug 16, 1836; son of Eusebius and Philena (Dinsmore) Hale; academic education at Foxcroft, Me., and Long Island, N.Y.; married, 1st 1864 Sarah Baker (deceased, 1868); 2nd, at Minneapolis, Minn., 1870, to Miss Flora A. Hammond. Came to Minnesota, 1856; traveled throughout the West and located permanently at Cannon Falls, Minn., 1859, engaging in farming; was elected enrolling clerk Minnesota state senate, session of 1861. Enlisted in army at outbreak of Civil War and was made sergeant of Co. E, 3rd Minn. Inf., later sergeant major and served in Kentucky and Tennessee against Gen. Forrest; was taken prisoner and parolled; returned to Minnesota and joined Gen Sibley’s command against the Indians in summer of 1862. Returned to Tennessee with regiment Jan., 1863, and participated in Vicksburg and Little Rock campaigns; was appointed adjutant and, later major 4th Regt. U.S. Artillery (colored), served in Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas, and was mustered out Feb. 1866. Cultivated a cotton plantation near Pine Bluff, Ark.; in Jan., 1867, was made agent of the Freedmen’s Bureau; came to Minneapolis, Sept., 1867, and entered office of Minneapolis Central Railway; became clerk and bookkeeper for W.D. Washburn & Co., 1867; agent Minneapolis Mill Co., 1872; partner with W.D. Washburn, 1874; incorporated as Washburn Milling Co., of which he was manager, 1879; also secretary and director of Minneapolis & Duluth Ry. and director Minneapolis & St. Louis Ry., 1875-1881; has been secretary Northwestern Consolidated Milling Co., since 1895. Postmaster of Minneapolis under Presidents Harrison and Roosevelt and reappointed Dec. 1, 1906. Recreation: Yachting. Clubs: Lafayette, Lake Minnetonka. Office: Post Office. Residence: 1825 3rd Av., S., Minneapolis.”
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Link to Minn. Historical Society Cdv of 1st wife Sarah Hale (died 1868): collections.mnhs.org/cms/largerimage?irn=10384193&cat...

Findagrave link for 1st wife Sarah Hale (1841 – 1868): www.findagrave.com/memorial/91939504/sarah-abbie-hale

Link to Cdv of William D. Hale at Minn. Historical Society: collections.mnhs.org/cms/largerimage?irn=10147244&cat...

Link to a 2nd Cdv of William D. Hale at Minn. Historical Society: collections.mnhs.org/cms/largerimage?irn=10384192&cat...

Link to Bio of William D. Hale at Minn. Historical Society: www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/00871.xml?return=q%3Dwilli...

Findagrave Link for William D. Hale: www.findagrave.com/memorial/27676488/william-dinsmore-hale
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A Minnesota Photo Album: My friend Mike was browsing the "bargain-mart" community store at a senior living/retirement village where he found an antique photo album, containing 100 original Civil War era cdv's, a large portion of which bear back-stamps from Minnesota photo publishers. Mike was able to purchase the entire album for only $60.

Taken on: July 28, 2020

Tags:

Fourth U.S. Colored Artillery

4th Regt. U.S. Colored Artillery

Third Regiment Minnesota Infantry

3rd Minnesota

William D. Hale

William Dinsmore Hale

Minnesota Historical Society

Civil War

carte de visite

Cdv « less

Sets appears in: • Minnesota Civil War Photo Album • Public Domain - Stereographs, CDVs, & Misc Photos

Groups appears in: • Veterans of the American Civil War • Cartes de Visite

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