Congdon Family

Chester Congdon (1853-1916)

Chester Congdon, a lawyer and businessman, earned most of his wealth from iron mining. Originally from Upstate New York, Congdon moved to Minnesota as a young lawyer. He was then working as a real estate lawyer in St. Paul when the Mesabi Iron Range was discovered in 1890. This discovery sparked a boom in land deals and contracts, creating high demand in Duluth for lawyers like Congdon. Congdon and his family moved to Duluth in 1892.

Congdon became the lawyer for the Oliver Mining Company. The company was soon backed by Andrew Carnegie and became the biggest producer of ore in the country. In 1901, a majority of the steel industry, including the Oliver Mining Company, was absorbed into the massive U.S. Steel Corporation. In the years following, Congdon and his associates focused on the speculation of lower-grade iron ore on the Mesabi. Congdon’s investment paid off, resulting in million-dollar deals.

Throughout his career, Chester Congdon made many investments in Duluth and across North America. His ventures included copper mining, oil, banking, and agriculture. He died in 1916 at the age of 63.

Clara Congdon (1854-1950)

Clara (Bannister) Congdon was born in California to a prominent Methodist preacher. She attended Syracuse University. There she met Chester Congdon. After graduation she became a teacher and an assistant headmaster at a small college in Canada.

When Chester got his first lawyer job in Minnesota, the couple married and moved to St. Paul to start their family. She was active in many efforts, especially religious charity organizations and the temperance movement. Clara outlived Chester by 34 years and continued to live at Glensheen until her death in 1950.

Daughters

The three Congdon daughters lived at Glensheen.

Marjorie Congdon Dudley served her community through numerous organizations including the Duluth YWCA. She served on the YWCA’s World Service Council.

Helen Congdon d’Autremont was the only Congdon child who eventually left Duluth. She and her husband lived in Arizona. There, she created a legacy through service to the NAACP and the YWCA. She was an advocate for women’s rights and was inducted into the Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame.

Elisabeth Congdon became the first president of Duluth’s Junior League, organized Duluth’s Red Cross Nurse’s Aid during World War II. She and Dr. Elizabeth Bagley founded a women’s clinic. Elisabeth continued to live at Glensheen until her death in 1977.

Portrait of Marjorie Congdon — Marjorie Congdon
(1887-1971)

Portrait of Helen Congdon — Helen Congdon
(1889-1966)

Portrait of Elisabeth Congdon — Elisabeth Congdon
(1894-1977)

Sons & Nephew

Three sons and Clara’s nephew lived at Glensheen. They lost one son, John Congdon, who died as an infant several years before Glensheen’s construction.

Walter Congdon was a mining engineer and continued Chester’s investments. He was involved with both the Freemasons and Shriners.

Edward “Ned” Congdon worked alongside his brothers in the family’s business. Like his brothers, he went to Yale and was recently graduated when Glensheen was completed.

Robert Congdon was the youngest of the Congdon children and was 10 years old when the family moved to Glensheen. Like his father, he became a lawyer and a banker.

Alfred Bannister was Clara’s nephew. He was orphaned as a young child and was raised by the Congdons. He went to Cornell and MIT to become a mechanical engineer, where he specialized in mining equipment.

Portrait of Walter Congdon — Walter Congdon
(1882-1949)

portrait of Edward Congdon — Edward Congdon
(1885-1940)

portrait of Alfred Bannister — Alfred Bannister (Clara's Nephew)
(1890-1952)

Portrait of John Congdon as a baby — John Congdon
(1891-1893)

portrait of Robert Congdon — Robert Congdon
(1898-1967)

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