Prominent figure in the historical events and establishment of Pembina MN Territory and Pembina, ND history, name sake for Cavalier County, and the City of Cavalier, ND which was also named in his honor.
CHARLES CAVILEER was born in Springfield, Clark Co. Ohio in 1818. He lived with his Uncle Charles Constable, (husband of Martha Cavileer Hinde) for a time in Mt. Carmel, Wabash Co., IL, before traveling to MN in 1841. His original plan was to travel to Texas but when Rev. Kavanaugh convinced Cavileer of the opportunities in the western territory, it didn't take much to attract Cavileer's curiosity and with that, he had a change of venue. In 1841, (going against the will of his mother), and in company with the missionary, Rev. B. F. KAVENAUGH, and WM. R. BROWN, began their travels heading west, later arriving and settling at Red Rock May 18 1841.
1845 Dr. John J. Dewey opened the first drug store in St. Paul, and in the same building Charles Cavalier carried on the harness business.
1846 Purchased a farm with William R. Brown near Kaposia at Red Rock
1847 Charles Cavileer claimed his first piece of land in Pembina, (according to his personal writings).
1848 Cavalier sold out his harness business and entered into partnership with Dewey, forming the firm of Dewey & Cavalier, druggists.
1849 Nov 6-1850 appointed by Gov. Alexander RAMSEY first Minnesota Territorial Legislative Librarian.
1850 Oct 1 - 1854 Appointed Collector of Customs - Port of Entry position for the Dist. of MN by President Millard Fillmore (held position for 4 yrs)
1851-3 Was also First postmaster of Pembina, Assigned as Port of Entry position, Collector of Customs (included civil responsibilities)
1853 Was in partnership with Forbes & Kittson in the Indian fur trade at Walhalla and Fort Garry (Manitoba)
1854 He moved to St. Joseph and started a trading post there, assigned by Abe Lincoln.
1856 he married Isabella Murray, a "Metis" and resided at Fort Gary, until 1863.
1863-1864 Returned to Old Pembina, and worked at the Pembina Post . This post was also his place of residence until his death in 1902.
1871 Cavileer also acted as an Indian Agent for the Sioux at Devils Lake with Bottineau.
Cavileer carried out a multitude of gov. positions during his lifetime.
Some of the persons Charles associated himself was to many prominent gov. official and high profile pioneers such as Gov. Alexander Ramsey, A.L. Larpenteur, Bottineau, Rolette, Moorehead, Dease, Renville, Stutsman, Gingras, Kneeshaw etc.
The Cavileer family of Ohio were personal friends with the Abe Lincoln family in Illinois, often passed the time playing euchre. One of the Cavileer relatives (Constables), purchased a home in Mt. Carmel once lived in by the Lincoln family.
Charles Cavileer aka "Honorable", Esq", and "Longbeard" a given name by the Sioux
Prominent figure in the historical events and establishment of Pembina MN Territory and Pembina, ND history, name sake for Cavalier County, and the City of Cavalier, ND which was also named in his honor.
CHARLES CAVILEER was born in Springfield, Clark Co. Ohio in 1818. He lived with his Uncle Charles Constable, (husband of Martha Cavileer Hinde) for a time in Mt. Carmel, Wabash Co., IL, before traveling to MN in 1841. His original plan was to travel to Texas but when Rev. Kavanaugh convinced Cavileer of the opportunities in the western territory, it didn't take much to attract Cavileer's curiosity and with that, he had a change of venue. In 1841, (going against the will of his mother), and in company with the missionary, Rev. B. F. KAVENAUGH, and WM. R. BROWN, began their travels heading west, later arriving and settling at Red Rock May 18 1841.
1845 Dr. John J. Dewey opened the first drug store in St. Paul, and in the same building Charles Cavalier carried on the harness business.
1846 Purchased a farm with William R. Brown near Kaposia at Red Rock
1847 Charles Cavileer claimed his first piece of land in Pembina, (according to his personal writings).
1848 Cavalier sold out his harness business and entered into partnership with Dewey, forming the firm of Dewey & Cavalier, druggists.
1849 Nov 6-1850 appointed by Gov. Alexander RAMSEY first Minnesota Territorial Legislative Librarian.
1850 Oct 1 - 1854 Appointed Collector of Customs - Port of Entry position for the Dist. of MN by President Millard Fillmore (held position for 4 yrs)
1851-3 Was also First postmaster of Pembina, Assigned as Port of Entry position, Collector of Customs (included civil responsibilities)
1853 Was in partnership with Forbes & Kittson in the Indian fur trade at Walhalla and Fort Garry (Manitoba)
1854 He moved to St. Joseph and started a trading post there, assigned by Abe Lincoln.
1856 he married Isabella Murray, a "Metis" and resided at Fort Gary, until 1863.
1863-1864 Returned to Old Pembina, and worked at the Pembina Post . This post was also his place of residence until his death in 1902.
1871 Cavileer also acted as an Indian Agent for the Sioux at Devils Lake with Bottineau.
Cavileer carried out a multitude of gov. positions during his lifetime.
Some of the persons Charles associated himself was to many prominent gov. official and high profile pioneers such as Gov. Alexander Ramsey, A.L. Larpenteur, Bottineau, Rolette, Moorehead, Dease, Renville, Stutsman, Gingras, Kneeshaw etc.
The Cavileer family of Ohio were personal friends with the Abe Lincoln family in Illinois, often passed the time playing euchre. One of the Cavileer relatives (Constables), purchased a home in Mt. Carmel once lived in by the Lincoln family.
Charles Cavileer aka "Honorable", Esq", and "Longbeard" a given name by the Sioux
Inscription
Charles T. Cavileer
Born
Mar 6 1818
Died
July 27 1902
Age 84 yrs.
___
give amis of thy goods, will
never turn thy face from
any poor man.
Gravesite Details
Contributing factor in the governmental developement/Statehood of the Pembina/Minnesota Territory
Family Members
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Mary Cavileer
1820–1820
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Harriet Cavileer
1821–1822
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Rachel Cavileer McCuddy
1823–1899
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Alfred Cavileer
1825–1879
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Robert Cavileer
1827–1847
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James W. Cavileer
1829–1871
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Henry Cavileer
1832 – unknown
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Margaret "Anna" Cavileer Ward
1832–1916
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Sarah Elizabeth Cavileer
1836–1927
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Martha Jane Cavileer
1838–1841
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Sally A. Cavileer
1839 – unknown
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