Nelson, Knute, 1843-1923

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Knute Nelson was born in Vosse Elven, Norway, on February 2, 1843. In 1849 he and his widowed mother emigrated to the United States, settling first in Chicago (1849-1850), then in Dane County, Wisconsin, where he enlisted in the Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment (1861-1864) during the Civil War. Following the war he was graduated from the Albion Academy and studied law in a Madison, Wisconsin, law office, being admitted to the bar in 1867 and then serving as a representative in the Wisconsin assembly (1868-1869).

In 1871 he moved with his family to Alexandria, Minnesota, where he practiced law while farming a homestead tract. He served as Douglas County attorney (1872-1974), Minnesota state senator (1875-1878), presidential elector (1880), University of Minnesota regent (1882-1893), and fifth district representative to Congress (1883-1889). He was elected governor of Minnesota in 1892 and 1894, which post he resigned in 1895 to run successfully for the United States Senate, where he remained until 1923. Nelson was chairman of the Senate judiciary committee and the senate committee on public lands, and was active on the commerce and Indian affairs committees. His most notable legislative measures included the Nelson Bankruptcy Act (1898) and the act creating the Department of Commerce and Labor (1902), and he was also active in the establishment of the Interstate Commerce Commission. Nelson also supported a low tariff, a federal income tax, Prohibition, the Sherman Act, and the League of Nations. He died on April 28, 1923, during his fifth senatorial term.

The above information was taken from the following sources: Dictionary of American Biography, vol. XIII (1934); Who Was Who in America, vol. I (1968); Minnesota Biographies (1912), Book of Minnesotans (1907), Minnesota Historical Society Collections, vol. XIII (August 1908).

From the guide to the Knute Nelson papers., 1861-1924., (Minnesota Historical Society)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Davis, Cushman Kellogg, 1838-1900. Cushman K. Davis papers 1886-1900. William L. Clements Library
creatorOf Jones, Stiles P., 1862-1920. Stiles P. Jones and family papers, 1848-1918 Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn Minnesota State Board of Immigration. Records, 1881-1925. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
referencedIn Olson, Julius E. Papers, 1871-1941. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Frank D. Willis letters, 1889-1921. Minnesota Historical Society
referencedIn Westphal, Gustavus Adolph, 1869-. Gustavus A. Westphal papers, 1890-1919, 1945. Minnesota Historical Society Library
creatorOf Sheehan, Timothy J., 1835-1913. Timothy J. Sheehan papers, 1857-1913. Minnesota Historical Society Library
creatorOf Hill, Samuel, 1857-1931. Samuel Hill papers, 1895-1902. Minnesota Historical Society Library
creatorOf Willis, Frank D. Frank D. Willis letters, 1899-1921. Minnesota Historical Society Library
creatorOf Nelson, Knute, 1843-1923. Knute Nelson papers, 1861-1924 (bulk 1916-1923). Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn Oswald Garrison Villard papers Houghton Library
referencedIn James Manahan and family papers., 1880-1937. Minnesota Historical Society
creatorOf Knute Nelson papers., 1861-1924. Minnesota Historical Society
creatorOf Organization records, 1892-1942. Minnesota Historical Society Library
creatorOf Pope, William Cox, 1841-1917. William Cox Pope and family papers, 1858-1976. Minnesota Historical Society Library
creatorOf McKenney, Charles Richard, 1849-1937. Charles R. McKenney and family papers, 1891-1914, 1937. Minnesota Historical Society Library
creatorOf Warren, George H., 1829-1891. George H. Warren and family papers, 1797-1929 bulk (1856-1912). Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
creatorOf Rahilly, Patrick Henry, 1832-1931. Patrick Henry Rahilly papers, 1874-1930. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn George H. Warren and family papers., 1797-1929 (bulk 1856-1912). Minnesota Historical Society
creatorOf Leonard, W. H. (William Huntington), 1825-1907. William H. Leonard and family papers, 1843-1955. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn Folwell, William Watts, 1833-1929. William Watts Folwell papers, ca. 1856-1929. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
referencedIn Haines, Lynn, 1876-1929. Lynn Haines papers, 1909-1931. Minnesota Historical Society Library
creatorOf Seabury, Channing, 1842-1910. Channing Seabury and family papers, 1854-1955, 1987-1988. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
creatorOf Sons of the American Revolution. Minnesota Society. SAR records, 1889-1966. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
creatorOf Wright, Anna W. Papers relating to Amar family immigration, 1921-1930. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
creatorOf Brown, David M., b. 1857. David M. Brown and family papers, 1884-1960. Minnesota Historical Society Library
creatorOf Grindeland, Andrew, 1856-1932. Law office correspondence, 1885-1932 (bulk 1895-1928). Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
referencedIn Smith, Edward E. (Edward Everett), 1861-1931. Edward E. Smith papers, 1923-1924. Minnesota Historical Society Library
creatorOf Preus, J. A. O. (Jacob Aall Ottesen), 1883-1961. J.A.O. Preus and family papers, 1853-1946. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn Learned Hand papers Harvard Law School Library Langdell Hall Cambridge, MA 02138
creatorOf Baxter, Luther Loren, 1838-1915. Luther L. Baxter and family papers, 1853-1950. Minnesota Historical Society Library
creatorOf Drake, Elias Franklin, 1813-1892. Elias Franklin Drake and family papers, 1814-1917. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
creatorOf Dunn, Robert C. (Robert Campbell), 1855-1918. Robert C. Dunn papers, 1897-1915 (bulk 1903-1904). Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
referencedIn Barrows family papers, 1861-1931. Houghton Library
creatorOf Gordon, Hanford L., 1836-1920. Hanford L. Gordon papers, 1868-1921 Minnesota Historical Society
creatorOf Willius, Ferdinand, 1830-1916. Ferdinand Willius and family papers, 1814-1956. Minnesota Historical Society Library
creatorOf National 17th of May Celebration Committee (Minneapolis, Minn.). May 17th celebration records, 1914 Jan.-June. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn Blegen, Theodore Christian, 1891-1969. Knute Nelson as United States senator from Minnesota. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn Lindegard, Axel. Axel Lindegard papers, 1861-1931. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn Buck, Solon J. (Solon Justus), 1884-1962. Solon J. Buck Papers, 1902-1935, 1960. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
creatorOf Michelet, Simon Thenistrup, 1871-1956. Simon T. Michelet and family papers, 1879, 1908-1943. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn Theodore Roosevelt Collection: Books, pamphlets, periodicals, 18-- - <ongoing> Theodore Roosevelt Collection, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn Gould, John Mead, 1839-1930. John Mead Gould papers, 1854-1930. Maine Historical Society Library
referencedIn Cushman K. Davis papers 1886-1900 Davis, Cushman K. William L. Clements Library
referencedIn Minnesota Woman Suffrage Association. Records, 1894-1923 Minnesota Historical Society
referencedIn Andrews, C. C. (Christopher Columbus), 1829-1922. C.C. Andrews and family papers, 1843-1930. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn Records of Governor William R. Merriam, 1888-1901 (bulk 1888-1893). Minnesota Historical Society
creatorOf United States. Army. Corps of Engineers. St. Paul District. District Office records, 1879-1990. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
creatorOf Larson, Louis E. Louis E. Larson and family papers, 1857-1916. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
creatorOf Simpson, Thomas, 1836-1905. Thomas Simpson papers, 1862-1893. Minnesota Historical Society Library
creatorOf Jaeger, Luth, 1851-1925. Luth and Nanny Mattson Jaeger papers, 1874-1933. Minnesota Historical Society Library
creatorOf Brackett, George Augustus, 1836-1921. George A. Brackett papers, 1858-1920. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
creatorOf Records of the Office of the Chief of Engineers. 1789 - 1999. Letters Received National Archives at Kansas City
creatorOf Rines, Henry, 1872-1950. Henry Rines correspondence, 1920-1922. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
creatorOf Minnesota Woman Suffrage Association records, 1894-1923 [microform]. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn Robert C. Dunn papers., 1897-1915 (bulk 1903-1904). Minnesota Historical Society
referencedIn Minnesota. Governor (1893-1895 : Nelson). Records of Governor Knute Nelson, 1892-1895. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
creatorOf Manahan, James, 1866-1932. James Manahan and family papers, 1880-1937. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn Fairbanks mss., 1819-1939 Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
referencedIn Law office correspondence., 1885-1932 (bulk 1895-1928). Minnesota Historical Society
referencedIn World's Columbian Exposition records., 1884-1885, 1891-1894. Minnesota Historical Society
creatorOf Swan, Elijah H., 1811-1853. Elijah H. Swan correspondence, 1824-1903. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
creatorOf McLain, John Scudder, 1853-1931. John S. McLain correspondence, 1879-1927. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn Minnesota. Board of World's Fair Managers. World's Columbian Exposition records, 1884-1885, 1891-1894. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
creatorOf Longfellow, Levi, 1842-1926. Levi Longfellow papers, 1865-1926. Minnesota Historical Society Library
creatorOf Andrew J. Volstead and family papers. Minnesota Historical Society
creatorOf Burnquist, J. A. A. (Joseph Alfred Arner), 1879-1961. J. A. A. Burnquist papers, 1884-1961. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn St. Paul District records., 1879-1990. Minnesota Historical Society
referencedIn Andrew J. Volstead and family papers. Minnesota Historical Society
creatorOf Quamme, Edward G., 1879-1941. Edward G. Quamme papers, 1893-1940. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn Minnesota. Governor (1889-1893 : Merriam). Records of Governor William R. Merriam, 1888-1901 (bulk 1888-1893). Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
referencedIn Gordon, Hanford L., 1836-1920. Hanford L. Gordon papers, 1868-1921 Minnesota Historical Society
creatorOf Wattson, Marshman S., 1912-1962. Records relating to Pierce Butler's appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court, 1917-1922. Minnesota Historical Society, Division of Archives and Manuscripts
referencedIn Roosevelt, Edith Kermit Carow, 1861-1948,. Impressions of the campaign : Detroit, Michigan to Pueblo, Colorado, 1900. Houghton Library
referencedIn Walker, Albert Henry, 1844-1915. Albert Henry Walker correspondence, 1882-1913. Library of Congress
creatorOf Sanford, Maria Louise, 1836-1920. Maria L. Sanford papers, 1851-1920. Minnesota Historical Society Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Andrews, C. C. (Christopher Columbus), 1829-1922. person
associatedWith Backus, Edward Wellington, 1860-1934. person
associatedWith Ballinger, Richard Achilles, 1858-1922. person
correspondedWith Barrows family. family
associatedWith Baxter, Luther Loren, 1838-1915. person
associatedWith Beaulieu, Theodore H. person
associatedWith Beaulieu, Theodore H. person
associatedWith Blegen, Theodore Christian, 1891-1969. person
associatedWith Bonga, William. person
associatedWith Bonga, William. person
associatedWith Boutwell, Mortimer Hayes, 1866- person
associatedWith Bowen, Ivan, 1886-1959. person
associatedWith Brackett, George Augustus, 1836-1921. person
associatedWith Brown, David M., b. 1857. person
associatedWith Brown, Rome G. (Rome Green), 1862-1926. person
associatedWith Buck, Solon J. (Solon Justus), 1884-1962. person
associatedWith Burnquist, J. A. A. (Joseph Alfred Arner), 1879-1961. person
associatedWith Burton, Marion Le Roy, 1874-1925. person
associatedWith Carpenter, Clarence Palmer, 1853-1933. person
associatedWith Caswell, I. T. person
associatedWith Caswell, I. T. person
associatedWith Chapman, Joseph. person
associatedWith Chapman, Joseph. person
associatedWith Clapp, Moses E. (Moses Edwin), 1851-1929. person
associatedWith Crosby, J. M. person
associatedWith Davis, Cushman Kellogg, 1838-1900. person
associatedWith Decker, Edward Williams, 1869-1956. person
associatedWith Dinwiddie, Edward Courtland, 1867-1915. person
associatedWith Drake, Elias Franklin, 1813-1892. person
associatedWith Duluth Federated Trades and Labor Assembly (Duluth, Minn.). corporateBody
associatedWith Dunn, Robert C. (Robert Campbell), 1855-1918. person
associatedWith Elliott, Henry Wood, 1846-1930. person
associatedWith Fairbanks, Charles W. (Charles Warren), 1852-1918 person
associatedWith Folwell, William Watts, 1833-1929. person
associatedWith Gordon, Hanford Lennox, 1836-1920. person
correspondedWith Gould, John Mead, 1839-1930. person
associatedWith Grevstad, Nicolay A., 1852-1940. person
associatedWith Grimshaw, William Harrison, 1853-1922. person
associatedWith Grindeland, Andrew, 1856-1932. person
associatedWith Haines, Lynn, 1876-1929. person
associatedWith Hale, William Edward, 1845-1926. person
associatedWith Hand, Learned, 1872-1961 person
associatedWith Harrington, Charles Medbury, 1855-1928. person
associatedWith Haupt, Herman, 1817-1905. person
associatedWith Hill, Samuel, 1857-1931. person
associatedWith Industrial Workers of the World corporateBody
associatedWith Jaeger, Luth, 1851-1925. person
associatedWith Jaffray, C. T. (Clive T.), 1865-1956. person
associatedWith Jones, Herschel V. (Herschel Vespasian), 1861-1928. person
associatedWith Jones, Stiles P., 1862-1920. person
associatedWith Kellogg, Frank B. (Frank Billings), 1856-1937. person
associatedWith Kindred, C. F. person
associatedWith Kindred, C. F. person
associatedWith La Follette, Robert M. (Robert Marion), 1855-1925. person
associatedWith Larson, Louis E. person
associatedWith League of Nations. corporateBody
associatedWith League to Enforce Peace (U.S.) corporateBody
associatedWith Leonard, W. H. (William Huntington), 1825-1907. person
associatedWith Lindbergh, Charles A. (Charles August), 1859-1924. person
associatedWith Lindegard, Axel. person
associatedWith Listoe, Frederick C., 1867-1933. person
associatedWith Longfellow, Levi, 1842-1926. person
associatedWith Loring, Albert Carpenter, 1858-1932. person
associatedWith MacMillan, J. N. person
associatedWith MacMillan, J. N. person
associatedWith Manahan, James, 1866-1932. person
associatedWith McGee, John F. (John Franklin), 1861-1925. person
associatedWith McKenney, Charles Richard, 1849-1937. person
associatedWith McLain, John Scudder, 1853-1931. person
associatedWith Michelet, Simon Thenistrup, 1871-1956. person
associatedWith Minnesota. Board of World's Fair Managers. corporateBody
associatedWith Minnesota. Governor. corporateBody
associatedWith Minnesota. Governor (1889-1893 : Merriam). corporateBody
associatedWith Minnesota. Governor (1893-1895 : Nelson). corporateBody
associatedWith Minnesota State Board of Immigration. corporateBody
associatedWith Minnesota Woman Suffrage Association. corporateBody
associatedWith National 17th of May Celebration Committee (Minneapolis, Minn.). corporateBody
associatedWith National Nonpartisan League corporateBody
associatedWith Olson, Julius E. person
associatedWith Pennington, Edmund, 1848-1926. person
associatedWith Pillsbury, Charles A. (Charles Alfred), 1842-1899. person
associatedWith Pinchot, Gifford, 1865-1946. person
associatedWith Pope, William Cox, 1841-1917. person
associatedWith Preus, J. A. O. (Jacob Aall Ottesen), 1883-1961. person
associatedWith Quamme, Edward G., 1879-1941. person
associatedWith Rahilly, Patrick Henry, 1832-1931. person
associatedWith Rahn, Andrew August David, 1877-1948. person
associatedWith Republican Party (Minn.). State Central Committee. corporateBody
associatedWith Rines, Henry, 1872-1950. person
associatedWith Safford, George B. person
associatedWith Safford, George B. person
associatedWith Sanford, Maria Louise, 1836-1920. person
associatedWith Seabury, Channing, 1842-1910. person
associatedWith Sheehan, Timothy J., 1835-1913. person
associatedWith Simpson, Thomas, 1836-1905. person
associatedWith Smith, Edward E. (Edward Everett), 1861-1931. person
associatedWith Sons of the American Revolution. Minnesota Society. corporateBody
associatedWith St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railway Company. corporateBody
associatedWith St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railway Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Sullivan, George H. (George Henry), 1867-1935. person
associatedWith Swan, Elijah H., 1811-1853. person
associatedWith Swenson, Laurits Selmer, 1865-1947. person
associatedWith Tawney, James Albertus, 1855-1919. person
associatedWith Townley, A. C. (Arthur Charles), 1880-1959. person
associatedWith United States. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Corps of Engineers. St. Paul District. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment, 4th (1861-1865) corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Coast Guard. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Commerce Department. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Commerce Dept. corporateBody
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associatedWith United States. Congress. Senate corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Commerce. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on the Judiciary. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Federal Railroad Administration. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Fuel Administration. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Interstate Commerce Commission. corporateBody
associatedWith Vanderlip, John Russell, 1860-1935 person
associatedWith Van Derlip, John Russell, 1860-1935. person
associatedWith Van Dusen, Fred Clark, 1863-1928. person
correspondedWith Villard, Oswald Garrison, 1872-1949 person
associatedWith Volstead, Andrew J. (Andrew John), 1860-1947 person
associatedWith Volstead, Andrew John, 1860-1947. person
correspondedWith Walker, Albert Henry, 1844-1915. person
associatedWith Walker, T. B. (Thomas Barlow), 1840-1928. person
associatedWith Warren, George H., 1829-1891. person
associatedWith Wattson, Marshman S., 1912-1962. person
associatedWith Westphal, Gustavus Adolph, 1869- person
associatedWith Willcutts, Levi Monroe, 1861-1936. person
associatedWith Willis, Frank D. person
associatedWith Willis, Frank D. person
associatedWith Willius, Ferdinand, 1830-1916. person
associatedWith Wright, Anna W. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Mississippi River
Ireland
Ireland
United States
Red Lake Indian Reservation (Minn.)
White Earth Indian Reservation (Minn.)
Mexico
Red Lake Indian Reservation (Minn.).
White Earth Indian Reservation (Minn.).
United States
Alaska
Norway
Minnesota
Mississippi River
Alaska
Mexico
Minnesota
Canada
Canada
Subject
Banking law
Banking law
Political campaigns
Political campaigns
Child labor
Child labor
Children
Child welfare
Collecting of accounts
Collecting of accounts
Communism
Conservation of natural resources
Conservation of natural resources
Convict labor
Convict labor
Corporations
Corporations
Drugs
Drugs
Elections and election campaigns
Elections and election campaigns
Food law and legislation
Food law and legislation
German Americans
German Americans
German Americans
German Americans
Grain trade
Grain trade
Indian reservations
Indians
Indians of North America
Indians of North America
Industrial policy
Industry and state
Irish Americans
Irish Americans
Judges
Judges
Labor disputes
Labor disputes
Labor laws and legislation
Labor laws and legislation
Labor unions
Labor unions
Land speculation
Land speculation
Maritime law
Maritime law
Liquor laws
Liquor laws
Monetary policy
Monetary policy
Neutrality
Neutrality
Norwegian
Norwegian American newspapers
Norwegian Americans
Norwegians Americans
Ojibwa Indians
Ojibwa Indians
Patronage, Political
Patronage, Political
Pensions
Pensions
Postal service
Postal service
Pressure groups
Pressure groups
Progressivism (United States politics)
Prohibition
Prohibition
Public opinion
Public opinion
Railroad land grants
Railroads
Railroads and state
Railroads and state
Real estate business
Real estate business
Reciprocity (Commerce)
Reciprocity (Commerce)
Rural free delivery
Rural free delivery
Scandinavian Americans
Shipping
Shipping
Social conflict
Social conflict
Tariff
Tariffs
Taxation
Taxation
World War, 1914-1918
World War, 1914-1918
Water-power
Water power
Women
Women
Occupation
Lawyers
Lawyers
Legislators
Soldiers
Veterans
Activity

Person

Birth 1843-02-02

Death 1923-04-28

English

Information

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