During this time he contributed many articles to the "Spirit of the Times", a New York magazine of sport, on "Hunting" and "Indian Customs and Warfare". For these he used the pseudonym, "Hal A. Dacotah".
Always on good terms with the Indians, he was a great aid to the government in making the treaties of the 1837 and 1851.
He was the first attorney to practice law in this part of the country, and in 1835 he was commissioned Justice of the Peace by Governor Chambers of Iowa.
In 1843 he married Sarah Steele, a sister of Franklin Steele, the sutler at Fort Snelling, and his home became more than ever one of the centers of the pioneer life in early Minnesota.
In August, 1848, Sibley was sent as a delegate to Congress from the residuary Territory of Wisconsin, and procured, against much opposition, the passage of an act, on March 3, 1849, organizing the Territory of Minneosta.
In organizing the Minnesota Territory young Sibley insisted that the name "Minnesota" be kept, instead of "Itasca" which was the name preferred by Stephen A. Douglas, who was introducing the bill for the organization. And so the name "Minnesota" or "Sky-tinted-water" in the Dakota language, will endure.
Ever watchful of the interests of his constituents, Henry Hastings Sibley, serving as a delegate until 1853, obtained large grants for roads and public buildings for Minnesota territory as well as help for the Indians whom he regarded as wronged and driven to desperation by the inhuman conduct of the agents of the federal government.
It was through the efforts of Mr. Sibley that a double grant of land, two sections instead of the usual one, was set aside for schools in every township of the new territory, a lasting and important benefit to the people of Minnesota. 
The State Seal was suggested by Sibley: a white man plowing eastward and an Indian riding on horseback toward the west. L'Etoile du Nord which means "The Star of the North" is above, and in the background the setting sun and the Falls of St. Anthony.
When Minnesota was admitted as a state, May 11, 1858, Henry Hastings Sibley was elected the first governor.
Sibley and his family moved to St. Paul in 1862 when he was commissioned as commanding officer in the military district of Minnesota.
The honors bestowed upon General Sibley were many and worthy. He died at his Woodward Avenue home in St. Paul, February 18, 1891, a beloved and respected citizen.
Excerpts from "The Sibley Historic Site" Published 1995 by Sibley House Association / MNDAR
To learn more about Henry Hastings Sibley and his life, you may wish to purchase the two books that the Friends group has published. Six Miles from St. Paul - The family and society of Sarah Jane Sibley, by David Grabitske is the story of Henry's wife, Sarah. As the wife of the first governor, you will learn a little about her relationships with family, friends and a rapidly homogenizing culture. Learn more about this book on our News section, find the online order form here or in our online store.
The second book published by the Friends is Dakota Child, Governor's Daughter - The life of Helen Hastings Sibley, by Bruce Kohn. This book features background about Helen, Sibley's daughter by his Dakota wife. Helen was a daughter that Henry cared about and supported, but never acknowledged publically. You will learn insight into her upbringing and cross-culture injection into society, as well as much discussion of politics and relations between the Dakota and the government, as Henry placed a pivotal role in this history. Learn more in our News section, find the online order form here or in our online store.
