# Charles Kittelson *Norwegian American soldier, banker and politician; Minnesota State Treasurer, 1880–1887* Charles Kittelson, whose surname also appears as Kittleson, was born on December 21, 1837, and died on May 24, 1914.[^1] He was a soldier, banker and Republican politician of Norwegian birth. He held the office of [[Minnesota State Treasurer]] for three consecutive terms between 1880 and 1887, the seventh person to do so.[^1] Born in Sigdal, Norway, he came to the United States at 13. After seven years in Wisconsin he moved to Albert Lea in [[Freeborn County, Minnesota]].[^1] He served as an officer of the 10th Minnesota Infantry Regiment in the Dakota War of 1862, in Sibley's 1863 campaign and in the Civil War. He was then Freeborn County treasurer before winning statewide office in 1879.[^1] This article cites a single secondary source, an encyclopedia entry retrieved on 2026-10-25. It cites no statute, court filing or official election return. The dates, vote figures and terms below are that source's account and await verification against primary records.[^1] ## Early life and career Kittelson's birthplace, Sigdal, lay in the Union of Sweden and Norway at the time of his birth in 1837.[^1] He arrived in the United States at age 13 and spent seven years in Wisconsin before relocating to Albert Lea.[^1] There he first worked at a mill, next clerked in a store, and afterward owned and ran a saloon.[^1] ### Military service When the Dakota War of 1862 began, Kittelson enlisted in the Union Army. He was mustered in on September 2, 1862, as a lieutenant of Company E, 10th Minnesota Infantry Regiment.[^1] According to the source, the regiment fought the Dakota during Sibley's 1863 campaign in the Dakota Territory, at Big Mound, Dead Buffalo Lake and Stony Lake.[^1] In the Western theater of the Civil War, the regiment was engaged at Tupelo, Westport, Nashville, Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley.[^1] Kittelson and the regiment were mustered out together at [[Fort Snelling]] on August 18, 1865. He joined the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States directly after the war.[^1] ### Politics Kittelson sought the office of Freeborn County treasurer in 1866 and held it until 1877.[^1] In the 1879 Minnesota general election he was the Republican candidate for state treasurer. The source credits him with 56.93% of the vote and a margin of +20.00% over the Democratic candidate, Lyman E. Cowdery.[^1] The cached source text is truncated at the point where it lists further candidates. Kittelson's three consecutive terms ran from 1880 to 1887.[^1] ## Personal life His obituary, as reported by the source, records his marriage to Wilhelmina Anderson and seven children.[^1] Halvor Kittelson, his younger brother, had served in the 11th Minnesota Infantry Regiment.[^1] ## Death The source cites the [[Minnesota Historical Society]] and Kittelson's official obituary for his date of death, May 24, 1914. It states that his death certificate was confirmed on May 27, 1914.[^1] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - Charles Kittelson (also Kittleson), the seventh Minnesota State Treasurer, a Republican.[^1] ### What - Lieutenant, Company E, 10th Minnesota Infantry Regiment.[^1] - Freeborn County treasurer, 1866–1877.[^1] - Minnesota State Treasurer, three consecutive terms, 1880–1887. He won the 1879 election with 56.93% of the vote, a stated margin of +20.00%.[^1] ### When - Born December 21, 1837; died May 24, 1914.[^1] - Mustered in September 2, 1862; mustered out August 18, 1865.[^1] ### Where - Born in Sigdal, Norway; lived in Albert Lea, Freeborn County; mustered out at Fort Snelling.[^1] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Charles Kittelson* (revision 1379838649, retrieved 2026-10-25) — secondary biographical account of birth, emigration, Albert Lea occupations, 10th Minnesota Infantry service, Freeborn County treasurership, 1879 election, 1880–1887 terms, family and death; CC BY-SA 4.0. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Kittelson