Norman Knudson
Norman Knudson | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 15th district | |
| In office January 2, 1899 – January 5, 1903 | |
| Preceded by | John McMullen |
| Succeeded by | Samuel W. Randolph |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 30, 1874 Manitowoc, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Died | April 9, 1934 (aged 59) Manitowoc, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Resting place | Evergreen Cemetery, Manitowoc, Wisconsin |
| Political party | Republican |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | Wisconsin National Guard United States Volunteers |
| Years of service |
|
| Rank |
|
| Unit | 2nd Reg. Wis. Vol. Infantry |
| Battles/wars | Spanish–American War |
Norman Alfred Knudson (April 30, 1874 – April 9, 1934) was an American businessman and Republican politician. He was a member of the Wisconsin State Senate from 1899 through 1902, representing Manitowoc and Calumet counties.
Early life and war service[edit]
Knudson was born on April 30, 1874, in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.[1] He later joined the Wisconsin National Guard in 1890. At the outbreak of the Spanish–American War, he volunteered for service and was mustered as first lieutenant of Company H in the 2nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment.[2][3] With the 2nd Wisconsin Infantry, he participated in the Puerto Rico campaign and commanded Company H throughout the war, due to the sickness of his captain, William Abel.[4] After the war, he remained in the national guard until 1903 and was promoted to the rank of captain.[5]
Political career[edit]
Immediately after returning from the war, he became the Republican candidate for Wisconsin State Senate in the 15th State Senate district.[4] Although the state of Wisconsin was heavily Republican in this era, the 15th Senate district was one of the most Democratic areas of the state. Knudson prevailed in a close general election, defeating Democratic candidate John P. Watt by just 37 votes.[2] He was the youngest member of the Senate in 1899—only 24 years old at the start of the session.
Later years[edit]
After his time in the Senate, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to work for a lumber company.[5] He eventually returned to Wisconsin; he was secretary of the Chicago-Roosevelt Steamship company and the Maritime Securities company, and was also manager of the C. Reiss Coal company in Manitowoc. He died just before his 60th birthday, on April 9, 1934, after a long illness.[6]
Electoral history[edit]
Wisconsin Senate (1898)[edit]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Election, November 8, 1898 | |||||
| Republican | Norman A. Knudson | 4,891 | 49.81% | +6.69% | |
| Democratic | John P. Watt | 4,854 | 49.43% | -3.68% | |
| Social Democratic | Abraham Andrews | 74 | 0.75% | ||
| Plurality | 37 | 0.38% | -9.63% | ||
| Total votes | 9,819 | 100.0% | +7.45% | ||
| Republican hold | |||||
References[edit]
- ^ The Law Makers of Wisconsin. Milwaukee: The Evening Wisconsin Company. 1899. p. 46. Retrieved 2018-04-15.
- ^ a b c "Biographical Sketches". The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. 1901. p. 733. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
- ^ "Second Regiment". Roster of Wisconsin Troops in the Spanish American War (Report). Brigadier General Ralph M. Immell. 1899. p. xvii. Retrieved December 23, 2022 – via Albertson Memorial Library.
- ^ a b "State News". Oshkosh Northwestern. October 6, 1898. p. 4. Retrieved December 23, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Favorite Soldier to Resign". The Post-Crescent. December 1, 1903. p. 5. Retrieved December 23, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Norman Knudson, Manitowoc, Dies". The Sheboygan Press. April 10, 1934. p. 4. Retrieved December 23, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.