Alonzo Cooper Rand

Alonzo Cooper Rand (December 31, 1831 – July 12, 1885) was an innovator in the petroleum industry and the 11th mayor of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Life and career Rand was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1831 to Charles T. Rand and Deborah F. Rand (née Sprague). As a child he moved to Buffalo, New York where he attended school before going to college at the nearby Gowanda Institute. In September 1853 he married Celine M. Johnson. Rand soon became involved in the oil industry, patenting a unique process for oil refining. He moved around New England and later to Aurora, Illinois perfecting his technique and eventually becoming quite wealthy from it.

In 1874 Rand visited Minneapolis and decided to move there, arriving two years later. With his background he soon became involved in the Minneapolis Gas Light Company (forerunner of Minnegasco, now CenterPoint Energy). Despite being a fairly new resident he was elected mayor in 1878 and would serve two terms. One account noted his term was "a model administration" which provided for the city's growth and better law enforcement. He was buried in Lakewood Cemetery.

Electoral history Minneapolis Mayoral Election, 1878 Alonzo Cooper Rand 2,862 Michael W. Glenn 2,506 Albert Lawrence 192 Minneapolis Mayoral Election, 1880 Alonzo Cooper Rand 3,039 Edwin Phillips 1,690