| Notes |
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest;
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev.
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical);
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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Vol II, pg 127-128
EDWARD A. PURDY
Edward A. Purdy, vice president of the Wells-Dickey Company and of the
Wells-Dickey Trust Company, was postmaster of Minneapolis from June 1, 1914,
until the 1st of May, 1922. During the last year of his incumbency he was chosen
by Will H. Hays, postmaster general, to act as his special assistant in
reorganizing the postal service nationally. At the time of his resignation he
was president of the National Association of Postmasters. Just prior to leaving
the postal service, Mr. Purdy edited a "Manual of the Post Office" for use in
schools, which has been adopted as a text in many schools of the country and is
on file in practically every library of any size.
Edward A. Purdy was born in Lansing, Iowa, in 1878, a son of Edward and Emma
Purdy, the former a native of Brooklyn, New York, while the latter was born in
Troy. Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather emigrated from New York westward
some eighty years ago, his destination being St. Paul, Minnesota. He located,
however, in Lansing. Iowa, and there resided the remainder of his life, trading
with the Indians and supplying the river boats. During the presidential terms of
Pierce and Buchanan he was postmaster at that place.
Edward A. Purdy began his education in the public schools of his birthplace,
continued it at Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin, and completed it at the
University of Minnesota. After two years at Beloit he found himself unable to go
on with the course and was compelled to stop and earn the necessary money. Soon
afterward he came to Minneapolis and started a night school at the Y. M. C. A.,
which he continued to supervise after he entered the University of Minnesota.
Upon leaving the University. Mr. Purdy obtained control of the Western
Architect, which magazine he has since published, having made it a widely
circulated and popular periodical. Mr. Purdy is a democrat.
On the 29th of January, 1919, Mr. Purdy married Miss Mary T. Milnor, and to
their union one son and one daughter have been born: Rockwell and Rebecca. A
large part of Mr. Purdy's time recently has been devoted to securing an
auditorium for Minneapolis. He is an enthusiastic hunter and fisherman and a
devotee of all outdoor sports. He belongs to the Minneapolis, Minikahda and
Lafayette clubs.
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