# Francis Baasen *American Democratic politician and first Secretary of State of Minnesota (1858–1860)* Francis Baasen (September 30, 1829 – January 10, 1901), a Democrat, was the first person to hold the office of Secretary of State of [[Minnesota]]. He served from 1858 to 1860.[^1] A native of Luxembourg, he studied law in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, before relocating to New Ulm, Minnesota.[^1] Before becoming Secretary of State, he sat in the Minnesota Territorial House of Representatives and was a member of the Minnesota Constitutional Convention, both in 1857.[^1] After his term, his Civil War service was with the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. In 1872 he was a member of the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]].[^1] He died in [[Minneapolis]] in 1901.[^1] ## Early life and legal training Baasen was born on September 30, 1829, in Luxembourg. He studied law in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and afterward moved to New Ulm, Minnesota.[^1] ## Political career In 1857, Baasen held a seat in the territorial House of Representatives. In the same year he took part in the Minnesota Constitutional Convention.[^1] After the convention he won election as Minnesota's first Secretary of State, and his tenure in that office ran from 1858 to 1860.[^1] He later returned to legislative office as a member of the state House of Representatives in 1872.[^1] ## Civil War service Baasen was a member of the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry during the American Civil War.[^1] ## Death Baasen died in Minneapolis on January 10, 1901.[^1] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - Francis Baasen, Democratic politician, first Secretary of State of Minnesota.[^1] ### What - First Secretary of State of Minnesota, 1858–1860.[^1] - Member, Minnesota Territorial House of Representatives, 1857.[^1] - Member, Minnesota Constitutional Convention of 1857.[^1] - Member, Minnesota House of Representatives, 1872.[^1] ### When - Born September 30, 1829.[^1] - Secretary of State, 1858–1860.[^1] - Died January 10, 1901.[^1] ### Where - Born in Luxembourg.[^1] - Studied law in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[^1] - Moved to New Ulm, Minnesota.[^1] - Died in Minneapolis, Minnesota.[^1] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Francis Baasen* (revision 1365567275, retrieved October 25, 2026) — establishes Baasen's birth and death dates, party, birthplace, legal training, his 1857 territorial House and constitutional convention service, his Secretary of State tenure (1858–1860), his Civil War service, his 1872 House service, and his death in Minneapolis. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Baasen