Thomas Andrew Holmes (March 4, 1804 – 1888) was an American surveyor, trader, and politician who served in the Minnesota Territorial House of Representatives from 1849 to 1850.
The house that Holmes built on Water Street was the first frame dwelling on the East Side of the city.
He then traveled to Shakopee in 1851 and made it his permanent residence even after the Native Americans he traded with were removed.
[5] He traveled up the Minnesota River and saw a 20-acre clearing in the Big Woods and claimed it as the town site of Chaska.
Holmes was designated as the military captain, secretary, treasurer, interpreter, and sergeant of the guard.
He led them safely, closely following the 49th parallel north until they reached the border of Montana and then traveled down to Fort Benton.