Charles W. Nash

Charles Whippo Nash (December 5, 1830 - August 18, 1910) was a politician, lawyer, freemason, military officer, and prominent citizen of Hastings, Minnesota. During his lifetime Nash served as the 6th Mayor of Des Moines, was member of the Minnesota Senate and Legislature, and served as the editor-in-chief of the St. Paul Pioneer Press newspaper.

Early life Charles Whippo Nash was born on December 15, 1830 in Albion, New York. He was the son of Ephraim Nash (1802–1864) and Lois Warner (1799–1870). Nash graduated from the Mayville Academy in Mayville, New York in 1850. Nash was educated in the field of law starting in 1851 at the State and National Law School in Poughkeepsie, New York. Nash was later married to Francis M. Barnum of Clinton, Michigan on July 6, 1854. In 1857 Nash was elected to the office of Mayor of Des Moines. In December, 1857 Nash's library and law office was destroyed in a fire causing over $3,000 in damages. Nash did not hold the office of Mayor for very long, as he later moved to Minnesota in 1859 and settled in the city of Hastings, Minnesota in Dakota County. While in Hastings Nash set up a small law firm where he practiced. Nash was a staunch supporter of the Democratic Party and actively partnered himself with the Minnesota Democratic Party.

Freemasonry

Nash was an avowed Freemason and was involved heavily with Cryptic Masonry, the York Rite, the Scottish Rite, and the Knights Templar. He held several high-ranking positions within Masonic hierarchy including: Worshipful Master, Grand High Priest, Grand Master, and was a 32° Thrice Puissant Grand Master. Nash was originally made a Mason in Tecumseh, Michigan in December, 1854. When Grovenor resigned his command of Company C, Nash was promoted to the rank of Captain on June 22, 1866.

Later life and death Following his military service Nash purchased the Pioneer Press, also called the St. Paul Pioneer Press. In 1865 Nash ran for the office of Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota. Nash served as the Vice President of the reunion group of Hatch's Battalion in 1902. In 1906 Nash settled land in Stanley County, South Dakota under the Homestead Act. Nash died on Thursday August 18, 1910 at 6:15am near Marietta, Minnesota and is buried in the Odd Fellows' Cemetery (now the Masonic Cemetery) in Philip, South Dakota.