Myron Willard
BIRTH: 23 Oct 1842 in Trenton, Oneida County, New York, USA
DEATH: 7 Sep 1919 (aged 76) in Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minnesota, USA
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Myron G. Willard was born October 23, 1842, at Trenton in Oneida County, New York, a son of Daniel S. and Catherine (Williams) Willard. The Willard lineage traces to Captain Simon Willard, who settled in New England in 1664. Raised on the home farm, Myron attended country schools before entering Whitestown Seminary. He later pursued a classical course at Hamilton College, graduating with high honors in 1868. Three years afterward he received the degree of Master of Arts from his alma mater.
While engaged in his literary studies, he simultaneously pursued legal training. After graduation he completed his law studies in the office of Senator Francis Kernan at Utica, New York. In October 1868 he was admitted to practice in all the courts of New York, passing examination at Syracuse. Later that year, on December 1, 1868, he arrived in Mankato to join members of his family who had preceded him west. On the very day of his arrival he was admitted to practice in the Minnesota courts.
Opening an office in Mankato, Mr. Willard quickly established himself as an able attorney, becoming especially respected in corporation and real estate law. For a time he was associated with A. E. Pfau, Sr., later District Judge of the Sixth Judicial District, and afterward formed a partnership with Thomas Hughes. His legal career placed him among the early and influential professional men of the growing city.
In the fall of 1885 he left active legal practice to enter manufacturing. With his brother, John A. Willard, he organized and managed the Standard Fiber Ware Company. Later he became associated with the Mankato Knitting Mills. Though the financial depression of the 1890s brought severe setbacks and temporary bankruptcy to both enterprises, he persevered, and within a year operations resumed. After several years of continued involvement, he retired from manufacturing in 1903 and engaged in real estate, insurance, loan, and investment business.
Mr. Willard’s influence extended deeply into civic life. He was long active in the Board of Trade, serving as secretary and advocating industrial expansion, additional railroads, and factory development for Mankato. He believed firmly that transportation and manufacturing were the foundations of municipal prosperity. He was closely identified with civic improvement projects and gave particular attention to the beautification of the city’s park and boulevard system. His lasting contribution in this regard was the development of “Willard Park-Way,” extending along Glenwood Avenue for approximately half a mile — an enduring monument to his public spirit.
He was also deeply involved in religious life. A devoted member of the Presbyterian Church of Mankato, he served as ruling elder for more than thirty years and as superintendent of the Sunday school for thirteen years.
His first marriage, in 1870, was to Miss Julia E. Knowlton of Holland Patent, New York, who died in July 1876. In 1879 he married Mary W. Willard, also of Holland Patent and a niece of General H. W. Halleck. Two sons were born of his first marriage: Charles K., later associated with the Citizens Telephone Company and manufacturing interests at Heron Lake; and Elkins C., at one time connected with the Mankato Mills Company and later proprietor of “West Lawn Farm.” One daughter, Clara E., was born of his second marriage.
Recognized as one of Mankato’s pioneer attorneys and an influential force in its commercial and industrial growth, Myron G. Willard was widely respected for his professional ability, civic devotion, and steadfast faith in the city’s future. He was deeply interested in its industrial development and retained an abiding confidence in its progress. His funeral was held at his residence on Clark Street, with interment in Glenwood Cemetery.
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