Knute Nelson (February 2, 1843-April 28, 1923) was an American politician. Nelson was born in Voss, Norway and immigrated to the United States in 1849. He was a US Representative, US Senator and Governor of Minnesota. Nelson also served in the US Army during the American Civil War. He also had been a member of the Wisconsin assembly and Minnesota State Senate. He served in the United States House of Representatives from March 3, 1883 to March 3, 1889. He was elected the 12th Governor of Minnesota in 1892 and reelected in 1894, and served until January 31, 1895, when he resigned, preparatory to becoming Senator. He was elected as a Republican to the United States Senate in 1895. While in the Senate, he was involved in the creation of the Department of Commerce and Labor, and the passage of the Nelson Bankruptcy Act in 1898. He served in the Senate until his death in 1923 in Alexandria, Minnesota. While debating the Treaty of Paris (1898) on the senate floor, Nelson said: "Providence has given the United States the duty of extending Christian civilization. We come as ministering angels, not despots."
Preceded by: William Rush Merriam Governor of Minnesota 1893 - 1895 Succeeded by: David Marston Clough Preceded by: William D. Washburn U.S. Senator from Minnesota 1896 - 1923 Served alongside: Cushman Davis, Charles A. Towne, Moses E. Clapp, Frank B. Kellogg, Henrik Shipstead Succeeded by: Magnus Johnson Preceded by: None U.S. Representative from the 5th Congressional District of Minnesota 1883-1889 Succeeded by: Solomon Cornstock
Governors of Minnesota Sibley • Ramsey • Swift • Miller • Marshall • Austin • Davis • Pillsbury • Hubbard • McGill • Merriam • Nelson • Clough • Lind • Van Sant • Johnson • Eberhart • Hammond • Burnquist • Preus • Christianson • Olson • Petersen • Benson • Stassen • Thye • Youngdahl • E. Anderson • Freeman • Andersen • Rolvaag • LeVander • W. Anderson • Perpich • Quie • Perpich • Carlson • Ventura • Pawlenty
