John Ostell architect and manufacturer, was born in London and emigrated to Canada in 1834, where he apprenticed himself to a Montreal surveyor André Trudeau to learn French methods of surveying. In 1837 he married a member of a prominent French Catholic family in the city, his marriage ensured entry to French Canadian society, he was appointed diocesan architect for Montreal. In 1849 he formed a partnership with his nephew Henri-Maurice Perrault, this was the formation of one of the first architectural dynasties in Canada, he worked in the Greek Revival style of architecture. His first work in Montreal was the city's original Custom House, completed in 1836; this was followed by the McGill University Arts Building, 1839–1843, the oldest building on the McGill campus, extended 1860-1862. Ostell submitted designs for the new St. James Cathedral in Toronto in 1849, placing second in the competition to Frederick William Cumberland; the only residential home left standing built by Ostell is the former home of Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine in downtown Montreal at 1395 Overdale Ave. Unfortunately, the home is falling into ruin.

In 1859 he abandoned architecture having established a successful lumber business in 1852. The factory made doors and windows for export to Upper Canada, the USA and Britain. By 1856 the factory covered 5 acres and employed 75 workers and had a turn over of goods worth £18,750 per annum. Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online Historic Places in Canada

Stephen Robert "Steve" Endean was an American gay rights activist, first in Minnesota nationally. He was born in Davenport and came to Minnesota to attend the University of Minnesota from 1968–1972, majoring in political science. In 1971, Endean founded the Minnesota Committee for Gay Rights, became the first gay and lesbian rights lobbyist in Minnesota a year later. In 1973, Endean started lobbying the Minneapolis City Council to include protection for Gay Rights in the Minneapolis anti-discrimination ordinance working out of the office of 6th Ward Alderman, Earl Netwal. Endean's persistent efforts lead to a 12–0 vote as Minneapolis became the first major United States City to pass a Gay Rights Ordinance. Along with the Minnesota Committee for Gay Rights and Democratic legislators, Endean opposed trans-inclusion and public accommodations in a statewide gay rights bill, giving as their reason the belief that the bill would not pass with such inclusion. In the 1970s, he served as co-chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Gay Task Force.

In 1978, he became the director of the Gay Rights National Lobby. In 1980, he started the Human Rights Campaign Fund, served as its first Executive Director. In 1985, Endean was diagnosed with AIDS. After this, increasing health problems led to semi-retirement. In 1991, he created the National Endorsement Campaign, an effort to get straight political leaders and media figures to endorse LGBT rights. In 1991, he published his memoir, Into the Mainstream. In 1993, he was present at the Minnesota State Capitol when the Legislature passed the Minnesota Human Rights Act, which banned LGBT discrimination in housing and education. Endean died of AIDS-related complications on August 4, 1993

Colvin Township is a township in Saint Louis County, United States. The population was 317 at the 2010 census. Vermilion Trail serves as a main route in the township; the unincorporated community of Markham is located within Colvin Township. Colvin Township was named for a businessperson in the lumber industry. According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.9 square miles. The Paleface River flows through the southwest and south–central parts of Colvin Township; the Water Hen River flows through the west -- north -- central portions of the township. The South Branch of the Water Hen River flows through the central and northeast portions of the township; the Whiteface Reservoir is located within Colvin Township. The following are adjacent to Colvin Township: White Township The unincorporated community of Palo Hush Lake Unorganized Territory Linwood Lake Unorganized Territory Superior National Forest Cloquet Valley State Forest Ellsburg Township Mud Hen Lake Unorganized Territory The unincorporated community of Makinen Tikander Lake Unorganized Territory MarkhamTownline Road–County Highway 16 runs east–west along Colvin Township's northern boundary line with adjacent White Township.

As of the census of 2000, there were 354 people, 149 households, 102 families living in the township. The population density was 10.5 people per square mile. There were 298 housing units at an average density of 8.9/sq mi. The racial makeup of the township was 97.74% White, 0.85% Native American, 1.13% from other races, 0.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.28% of the population. There were 149 households out of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.7% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.9% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone, 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.90. In the township the population was spread out with 21.2% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 31.1% from 45 to 64, 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years.

For every 100 females, there were 128.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 119.7 males. The median income for a household in the township was $39,821, the median income for a family was $44,583. Males had a median income of $40,500 versus $17,500 for females; the per capita income for the township was $17,359. About 13.0% of families and 16.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.8% of those under age 18 and 4.1% of those age 65 or over