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| death_place = ], ], U.S. | death_place = ], ], U.S.
| party = ] | party = ]
| spouse = Kristie Baekkestad
| children = 9, including ], ], and ] | children = 9, including ], ], and ]
| relatives = {{plainlist| | relatives = {{plainlist|
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'''Swen Swenson''' ({{circa|1835}} or 1836{{efn|name=birthdate}} – March 4, 1905) was a Norwegian-born American farmer and politician. '''Swen Swenson''' ({{circa|1835}} or 1836{{efn|name=birthdate}} – March 4, 1905) was a Norwegian-born American farmer and politician.

Swenson was a pioneer in advocating for the adoption of a drainage system in ].{{sfn|Gresham|1916|p=471}}


== Life and career == == Life and career ==
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Swenson was born in ] in the mid-1890s.{{efn|name=birthdate|According to the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, Swenson was born in 1836.<ref name="lrl" /> An obituary published in the '']'' reported his age as 70 at the time of his death in 1905, indicating a birth year of circa 1835.<ref name="Hon. Swen Swenson" />}} With his family, in 1857, he began immigrating to the United States. Beginning in ], they traveled by wagon to ], then going to ] using a small sailing vessel. After arriving in Quebec, through various boats and trains, they then arrived at ], on July 4, 1857.{{sfn|Gresham|1916|p=470}} Upon their entry into ], Swenson moved his family to ] alongside his uncle Gamle Lars. The family then bought land in what would become ]. Swenson—at the age of 21—obtained a farm, also in New Sweden.{{sfn|Gresham|1916|p=470}} Swenson was born in ] in the mid-1890s.{{efn|name=birthdate|According to the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, Swenson was born in 1836.<ref name="lrl" /> An obituary published in the '']'' reported his age as 70 at the time of his death in 1905, indicating a birth year of circa 1835.<ref name="Hon. Swen Swenson" />}} With his family, in 1857, he began immigrating to the United States. Beginning in ], they traveled by wagon to ], then going to ] using a small sailing vessel. After arriving in Quebec, through various boats and trains, they then arrived at ], on July 4, 1857.{{sfn|Gresham|1916|p=470}} Upon their entry into ], Swenson moved his family to ] alongside his uncle Gamle Lars. The family then bought land in what would become ]. Swenson—at the age of 21—obtained a farm, also in New Sweden.{{sfn|Gresham|1916|p=470}}


Swenson married Hallingdal-native Kristie Baekkestad.{{sfn|Gresham|1916|p=470}} Together, they had nine children: Juliane, Christine, ], Albert, Nels, ], Swen Gerhard, ], and Soren.{{sfn|Gresham|1916|pp=471–472}} Swenson's original farm was passed down to Oscar and Swen Gerhard.{{sfn|Gresham|1916|p=470}} In the midst of the ], Swenson's family were forced out of their home by ].{{sfn|Gresham|1916|pp=470–471}} During a ] epidemic in 1880, Swenson had three children succumb to the infection.<ref>{{cite news |title=Minnesota News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-saint-paul-globe/163143340/ |access-date=January 16, 2025 |work=] |date=December 29, 1880 |location=] |page=1 |via=]}} {{open access}}</ref> Swenson married Hallingdal-native Kristie Baekkestad.{{sfn|Gresham|1916|p=470}} Together, they had nine children: Juliane, Christine, ], Albert, Nels, ], Swen Gerhard, ], and Soren.{{sfn|Gresham|1916|pp=471–472}} Swenson's original farm was passed down to Oscar and Swen Gerhard.{{sfn|Gresham|1916|p=470}} In the midst of the ], Swenson's family were forced out of their home by ].{{sfn|Gresham|1916|pp=470–471}}


Throughout his lifetime, Swenson served in numerous public office, including president of both the first and first co-operative creamery in Nicollet County, clerk of the first school district organized in New Sweden, and chairman of the town board.{{which}} In the 1870s, he was chairman of the Nicollet County board of commissioners.{{sfn|Gresham|1916|p=471}} Throughout his lifetime, Swenson served in numerous public office, including president of both the first and first co-operative creamery in Nicollet County, clerk of the first school district organized in New Sweden, chairman of the New Sweden town board, and New Sweden town clerk.{{sfn|Gresham|1916|p=471}}{{sfn|Neill|1882|p=693}} In the 1870s, he was chairman of the Nicollet County board of commissioners.{{sfn|Gresham|1916|p=471}}
Swenson was considered a pioneer in advocating for the adoption of a drainage system in ].{{sfn|Gresham|1916|p=471}}


In August 1886, Swenson was nominated to run for county treasurer of Nicollet County under a farmers' ticket.<ref>{{cite news |title=A Farmers' Ticket. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-saint-paul-globe/163159319/ |access-date=January 16, 2025 |work=] |date=August 14, 1886 |location=] |page=1 |via=]}} {{open access}}</ref> Later that year in September, Swenson was nominated to serve in the ] as a member of the ].<ref name="lrl">{{cite web |title=Swenson, Swen |url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/legdb/fulldetail?ID=13611 |website=Minnesota Legislators Past & Present |publisher=Minnesota Legislative Reference Library |access-date=January 16, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Nicollet Republicans for McGill. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-saint-paul-globe/163159459/ |access-date=January 16, 2025 |work=] |date=September 12, 1886 |location=] |page=1 |via=]}} {{open access}}</ref> He was elected—alongside ], his brother, who became a member of the ] for the ]—and served from January 4, 1887, to January 7, 1889.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hennepin County. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune/163159599/ |access-date=January 16, 2025 |work=] |date=November 4, 1886 |location=] |page=4 |via=]}} {{open access}}</ref><ref name="lrl" /> During his representative career, Swenson was assigned to the Public Buildings and Hospital for Insane committees.<ref name="lrl" /> In August 1886, Swenson was nominated to run for county treasurer of Nicollet County under a farmers' ticket.<ref>{{cite news |title=A Farmers' Ticket. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-saint-paul-globe/163159319/ |access-date=January 16, 2025 |work=] |date=August 14, 1886 |location=] |page=1 |via=]}} {{open access}}</ref> Later that year in September, Swenson was nominated to serve in the ] as a member of the ].<ref name="lrl">{{cite web |title=Swenson, Swen |url=https://www.lrl.mn.gov/legdb/fulldetail?ID=13611 |website=Minnesota Legislators Past & Present |publisher=Minnesota Legislative Reference Library |access-date=January 16, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Nicollet Republicans for McGill. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-saint-paul-globe/163159459/ |access-date=January 16, 2025 |work=] |date=September 12, 1886 |location=] |page=1 |via=]}} {{open access}}</ref> He was elected—alongside ], his brother, who became a member of the ] for the ]—and served from January 4, 1887, to January 7, 1889.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hennepin County. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune/163159599/ |access-date=January 16, 2025 |work=] |date=November 4, 1886 |location=] |page=4 |via=]}} {{open access}}</ref><ref name="lrl" /> During his representative career, Swenson was assigned to the Public Buildings and Hospital for Insane committees.<ref name="lrl" />
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=== Sources === === Sources ===
* {{cite book |editor1-last=Gresham |editor1-first=William G. |title=History of Nicollet and LeSueur Counties, Minnesota |date=1916 |publisher=B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc. |location=] |pages=470–472 |edition=2 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/History_of_Nicollet_and_LeSueur_Counties/OVc0AQAAMAAJ?gbpv=1&pg=PA470 |access-date=January 16, 2025 |language=en}} * {{cite book |editor1-last=Gresham |editor1-first=William G. |title=History of Nicollet and LeSueur Counties, Minnesota |date=1916 |publisher=B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc. |location=] |pages=470–472 |edition=2 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/History_of_Nicollet_and_LeSueur_Counties/OVc0AQAAMAAJ?gbpv=1&pg=PA470 |access-date=January 16, 2025 |language=en}}
* {{cite book |last1=Neill |first1=Edward D. |author1-link=Edward Duffield Neill |title=History of the Minnesota Valley: Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota |date=1882 |publisher=North Star Publishing Company |location=] |page=693 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/History_of_the_Minnesota_Valley/GGdAAAAAYAAJ?gbpv=1&pg=PA693 |access-date=January 18, 2025 |language=en}}

Revision as of 20:12, 18 January 2025

American politician (1836–1905)
Swen Swenson
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 17th district
In office
January 4, 1887 (1887-01-04) – January 7, 1889 (1889-01-07)
Preceded byJohn Webster
Succeeded byC. R. Davis
Personal details
Bornc. 1835 or 1836
Norway
DiedMarch 4, 1905 (aged 68–70)
New Sweden, Minnesota, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseKristie Baekkestad
Children9, including Carl, Oscar, and Laurits
Relatives

Swen Swenson (c. 1835 or 1836 – March 4, 1905) was a Norwegian-born American farmer and politician.

Life and career

1849 painting of Hallingdal, Swenson's native region, by Joachim Frich.

Swenson was born in Norway in the mid-1890s. With his family, in 1857, he began immigrating to the United States. Beginning in Hallingdall, they traveled by wagon to Drammen, then going to Quebec using a small sailing vessel. After arriving in Quebec, through various boats and trains, they then arrived at Red Wing, Minnesota, on July 4, 1857. Upon their entry into Minnesota, Swenson moved his family to Nicollet County alongside his uncle Gamle Lars. The family then bought land in what would become New Sweden Township. Swenson—at the age of 21—obtained a farm, also in New Sweden.

Swenson married Hallingdal-native Kristie Baekkestad. Together, they had nine children: Juliane, Christine, Laurits, Albert, Nels, Carl, Swen Gerhard, Oscar, and Soren. Swenson's original farm was passed down to Oscar and Swen Gerhard. In the midst of the Dakota War of 1862, Swenson's family were forced out of their home by Native Americans.

Throughout his lifetime, Swenson served in numerous public office, including president of both the first and first co-operative creamery in Nicollet County, clerk of the first school district organized in New Sweden, chairman of the New Sweden town board, and New Sweden town clerk. In the 1870s, he was chairman of the Nicollet County board of commissioners. Swenson was considered a pioneer in advocating for the adoption of a drainage system in Nicollet County.

In August 1886, Swenson was nominated to run for county treasurer of Nicollet County under a farmers' ticket. Later that year in September, Swenson was nominated to serve in the Minnesota House of Representatives as a member of the Republican Party. He was elected—alongside Lars Swenson, his brother, who became a member of the Minnesota Senate for the 29th district—and served from January 4, 1887, to January 7, 1889. During his representative career, Swenson was assigned to the Public Buildings and Hospital for Insane committees.

On March 4, 1905, Swenson died from apoplexy at his home in New Sweden.

Notes

  1. ^ According to the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, Swenson was born in 1836. An obituary published in the Albert Lea Tribune reported his age as 70 at the time of his death in 1905, indicating a birth year of circa 1835.

References

  1. Multiple sources:
  2. Mulitple sources:
  3. ^ "Swenson, Swen". Minnesota Legislators Past & Present. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  4. ^ "Hon. Swen Swenson". Albert Lea Tribune. Albert Lea, Minnesota. March 4, 1905. p. 4. Retrieved January 16, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. [REDACTED]
  5. ^ Gresham 1916, p. 470.
  6. Gresham 1916, pp. 471–472.
  7. Gresham 1916, pp. 470–471.
  8. ^ Gresham 1916, p. 471.
  9. Neill 1882, p. 693.
  10. "A Farmers' Ticket". The St. Paul Globe. Saint Paul, Minnesota. August 14, 1886. p. 1. Retrieved January 16, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. [REDACTED]
  11. "Nicollet Republicans for McGill". The St. Paul Globe. Saint Paul, Minnesota. September 12, 1886. p. 1. Retrieved January 16, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. [REDACTED]
  12. "Hennepin County". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. November 4, 1886. p. 4. Retrieved January 16, 2025 – via Newspapers.com. [REDACTED]

Sources

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