Robert E. Jefferson
Era: Civil War
Military Branch: Army
JEFFERSON, Robert E.
Robert E. Jefferson was born in 1836 in Illinois to Robert H. & Cornelia [Peters] Jefferson. Robert, and his brother Rufus Horatio Jefferson, were two of 18 locals of the St. Louis County area that served with the Union during the Civil War. He died in action in 1863/4?
Jefferson was one of the first to locate a claim on the site of the village of Duluth. There he built the first frame structure; a hotel in Duluth. He called his hotel the Jefferson House. The dwelling was approximately 500 ft. north of the present day ship canal on what is now Lake Avenue.
When Duluth was incorporated as a town in 1857 it was assigned a US Post office and Jefferson was on the Board of Trustees. His younger brother Rufus joined him in Duluth to assist his fledging businesses.
Robert was one of the 18 local volunteers to serve in the Civil War. He enlisted after he was misinformed that his brother Rufus had been killed at First Battle of Bull Run when he was only slightly wounded. So, Robert joined the 13th Kansas Volunteer Infantry and later died of camp fever a few months later. Robert's other brother, Ernest Robert Jefferson, served along side brother Rufus with the 1st Minnesota Infantry.
For his military service and sacrifice he is honored with his name on the Wall of Remembrance at the Veterans Memorial Hall Gallery at the DEPOT in Duluth, Minnesota.
He is also featured on the SLCHS/VMH traveling exhibit, "The 18". The exhibit honors the 18 local Veterans known to have left everything to go off and fight for the Union in the Civil War. These 18 men, their characters forged in the rugged wilds of northern Minnesota, served the nation and helped build St. Louis County.
Source(s):
Albert J. Amatuzio Research Center | Veterans Memorial Hall (vets-hall.org)
