William H. Nobles

William H. Nobles (1816 – December 28, 1876) was a U.S military officer, Treasury Agent, businessman, politician and trailblazer.

Early life

Nobles was born in Genesee County, New York in 1816. In 1841, he moved to Wisconsin Territory and settled in what would later become St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. He then moved to what would later be Hudson, Wisconsin, where he is credited with building the first wood-frame house.

Political career Nobles returned to Minnesota and the Territorial Governor Alexander Ramsey named him County surveyor for the newly created Scott County. He then ran for office and became Scott County surveyor, register of deeds and auditor. On top of that he was elected to the 5th Territorial Legislature as a representative for the 6th district. From 1854 to 1856, Nobles served in the Minnesota Territorial House of Representatives. When he reached the Saskatchewan River, he turned back even with Pierre Bottineau in his group.

Military and death When the Civil War broke out, Nobles returned to his native New York where he served in the 79th New York Volunteer Infantry as a Lt. Colonel. The 79th was an element of 2nd Brigade of T. W. Sherman's Expeditionary Corps in South Carolina. On 3 December 1861 Nobles resigned his commission and General Thomas W. Sherman appointed him to collect and sell the abandoned cotton in Hilton Head and the Sea Islands for the Treasury Department. The U.S. was to get 94% of the sale with Nobles receiving the remaining 6%. By 24 December 1861 he had sold $30,000 worth of cotton. Once all the abandoned cotton had been sold he became a revenue collector and quartermaster responsible for troop transportation around Mobile.

Post-war his health failed and even though his rank had been Lt. Colonel he was referred to as "Colonel". He moved to Waukesha Springs, Wisconsin for his health and then Hot Springs, Colorado. He died in Saint Paul shortly after he returned to Minnesota. Nobles County, Minnesota was named in his honor. The Fort Ridgely wagon road Nobles pioneered passed through the eastern third of what became Nobles County.