George Alfred Pillsbury

George Alfred Pillsbury (August 29, 1816 – July 17, 1898) was a businessman and miller associated with the formation of the Pillsbury Company. He was also a Republican politician active in both New Hampshire and Minnesota.

Early life and career Pillsbury was born in Sutton, New Hampshire in 1816 to John Pillsbury and Susan Pillsbury (née Wadleigh). Both were the descendants of English settlers who had been active political and civic leaders in New England. Pillsbury attended the local schools until the age of 18 when he moved to Boston, Massachusetts to work as a clerk in a store. After one year, he returned to Sutton and started a business with his cousin John C. Pillsbury. In 1840, he moved to Warner, New Hampshire to work in a store under John H. Pearson. After working there for about a year, he purchased the store outright to run on his own.

In 1841, Pillsbury married Margaret S. Carlton. Together they had three children: Charles A. Pillsbury, Mary Addie (1849-1850) and Frederick Carlton Pillsbury (1852-1892).

Pillsbury also contributed to various charitable causes. He gave to the First Baptist Church of Minneapolis (of which he and his wife were members) and provided the organ for their newly built church at his own expense. He funded the Pillsbury Academy in Owatonna, Minnesota. He also supported causes in his native state including the endowment of a library in Warner, a war memorial in Sutton and the Margaret Pillsbury Hospital in Concord.

Later life and death Pillsbury died at his home in Minneapolis on July 17, 1898. He is buried in Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis.

Electoral history Minneapolis Mayoral Election, 1884 George A. Pillsbury 12,244 A. A. Ames 5,876 Charles Evans Holt 862 John S. Pillsbury 1 C. F. Pillsbury 1 Write-Ins and Scattering 2 Minneapolis Mayoral Election, 1886 A. A. Ames 15,151 George A. Pillsbury 10,011 Wesley M. Lawrence 604 Write-Ins and Scattering 6