George Eldridge Skinner (April 8, 1825 – September 21, 1895) was an American businessman, lawyer, and politician who served a single term in the Minnesota Senate. As an early advocate of deaf education, Skinner campaigned for the construction of the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf in Faribault, Minnesota, where he later served as the institution's director.

Early life and education Skinner was born on April 8, 1825 in Le Roy, New York, he was the son of Samuel Skinner, an attorney, and Delia Skinner ().:284 Skinner was educated at the Le Roy seminary before reading law under his father.:284 Skinner was admitted to the bar in Batavia, New York in 1847.:284

Career

Early career In 1847 Skinner moved to Hazel Green, Wisconsin where he worked for two years as a lawyer.:284 While in Hazel Green Skinner was a founding member of the Sinsinawa Lodge, No. 16 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.:754 In 1849 Skinner took part in the California gold rush and mined for two years in California with minor success.:284 Following the gold rush, Skinner worked in the lumber industry in Buffalo, New York and Tennessee before moving to the city of Faribault in Minnesota Territory in 1856.:284

Railroad commissioner While in Minnesota Skinner became a railroad agent for the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad and established various right of way railroad lines in the railroad's Minnesota and Iowa divisions.:285 Skinner later served as the land commissioner of the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad, Minnesota Central Railway, and the Hastings and Dakota Railway companies.:285

Other business ventures In 1874 Skinner was a co-owner of the Walcott Mills Company in Walcott Township. In 1875 Skinner was one of the three directors for the Taopi Mills Company in Taopi, Minnesota.:455 Skinner served as the vice president of the Citizens' National Bank of Faribault and as the director of the First National Bank of Austin, Minnesota.:285:455

Political career Skinner was politically appointed as the postmaster of Faribault in 1857 by President of the United States James Buchanan, he served as postmaster until 1861.:285 Skinner was later elected to the Minnesota Senate on October 13, 1857 representing Minnesota's 5th Senate district. Minnesota's 5th Senate district at the time included Rice County, Minnesota. Skinner served during the 1st Minnesota Legislature from December 2, 1857 to December 6, 1859. During his term Skinner was a member of the internal improvements and judiciary committees, and was the chair of the banks committee. Skinner was a member of the Minnesota Democratic Party.:285 Skinner was later a Democratic delegate from Minnesota during both the 1872 Democratic National Convention in Baltimore, and the 1876 Democratic National Conventionin St. Louis.:285

Deaf and blind education

During his political career Skinner was an advocate of the use of American Sign Language and promoted the education of deaf and visually impaired children, as well as children with learning disabilities in Minnesota.:3 During his term in the Minnesota Senate, Skinner campaigned for the establishment of the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf.:3 Skinner's campaigning was continued by John M. Berry during the 5th Minnesota Legislature and was eventually approved by the Legislature on March 4, 1863 and built in Faribault.:3 The academy provided vocational classes, athletic programs, student-led organizations, and libraries to deaf and blind children. Skinner would serve as one of the academy's directors and board members from 1876 until his death in 1895.

Death Skinner died on September 21, 1895 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Skinner was originally buried in Oakland Cemetery before being reinterred in Faribault.

Personal life Skinner was married to Mary Elizabeth Gibson on October 12, 1852 in Buffalo, New York, together they had two children, Elizabeth and James.:285 Skinner's son, James Henry Skinner, built the 15 room Skinner Mansion at 385 Portland Avenue in Saint Paul near Summit Avenue in Saint Paul. Skinner was a follower of Congregationalist Christianity,:285 he was later a member of the House of Hope Presbyterian Church.

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