A sketch of the USS Minnesota on which both George and Frank Halstead served during the Civil War. Photo: Library of Congress
The lives of the Halsted brothers ended sadly near the Lake Minnetonka bay that bears their name.
After serving in the Civil War as a Navy captain, Frank Halsted (the last name is also spelled “Halstead”) returned to the Lake Minnetonka area and built his home on the west Upper Lake. In 1876, he decided to build the steamboat Mary to compete with the only other steamer on the lake. As the financial burden became too much, Halsted drowned himself in the lake. Per his will, he was buried at his home. His brother, Major George Halsted, came to Lake Minnetonka immediately after Frank’s death and stayed. In 1901, the home was quickly destroyed by a fire, which killed George. He was buried next to his brother.
Deanna Bunkelman is the president of the Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society.
