Norman Knudson

Norman Knudson
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 15th district
In office
January 2, 1899 – January 5, 1903
Preceded byJohn McMullen
Succeeded bySamuel W. Randolph
Personal details
Born(1874-04-30)April 30, 1874
Manitowoc, Wisconsin, U.S.
DiedApril 9, 1934(1934-04-09) (aged 59)
Manitowoc, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting placeEvergreen Cemetery, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Political partyRepublican
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceWisconsin National Guard
United States Volunteers
Years of service
  • 1890–1903 (WNG)
  • 1898 (USV)
Rank
Unit2nd Reg. Wis. Vol. Infantry
Battles/warsSpanish–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

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

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

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

Wisconsin Senate (1898)

Wisconsin Senate, 15th District Election, 1898[2]
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

  1. ^ The Law Makers of Wisconsin. Milwaukee: The Evening Wisconsin Company. 1899. p. 46. Retrieved 2018-04-15.
  2. ^ a b c "Biographical Sketches". The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. 1901. p. 733. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ a b "State News". Oshkosh Northwestern. October 6, 1898. p. 4. Retrieved December 23, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b "Favorite Soldier to Resign". The Post-Crescent. December 1, 1903. p. 5. Retrieved December 23, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Norman Knudson, Manitowoc, Dies". The Sheboygan Press. April 10, 1934. p. 4. Retrieved December 23, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
Wisconsin Senate
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 15th district
January 2, 1899 – January 5, 1903 		Succeeded by