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This Day in Minnesota History

February 15, 1822

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Henry B. Whipple is born in Adams, New York. As Minnesota's first Episcopalian bishop, Whipple worked tirelessly to promote his church in the state. After moving to Faribault in 1852, he built the first Episcopal cathedral in the country, as well as the Shattuck School, Seabury Divinity School, and St. Mary's Hall. He also devoted himself to working with and for Dakota and Ojibwe people, who called him "Straight Tongue." After over 300 Dakota had been sentenced to death for participating in the US–Dakota War of 1862, Whipple interceded with President Abraham Lincoln, who then commuted many of the sentences. Whipple died in Faribault on September 16, 1901.

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