Background
Ives was born in Dickinson, New York in 1846.
Ives was born in Dickinson, New York in 1846.
Ives later moved to Potsdam, New York and, in 1864, enlisted in the 50th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment taking part in the American Civil War. He was later transferred to the 15th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment (with whom he served for the majority of the war) and was discharged from service in June 1865. After the war Ives returned to Potsdam to continue his schooling.
He later attended the University of Michigan Law School and, after graduating in 1871, relocated to Saint Peter, Minnesota.
He served in several local offices there including city attorney, mayor and Nicollet County attorney. Ives was a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor in 1892 but was defeated by Knute Nelson.
While he did not hold another elected office, Ives remained active in state politics and later moved to Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1902 to continue his law practice. Later in life he became an important figure to the Minnesota Historical Society, leading efforts to build a home for the organization"s collections and library (now the Minnesota Judicial Center) and serving as its president from 1918-1921.
Ives died on December 20, 1927.
He is buried in Oakland Cemetery in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
