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Fosnes, Christopher A. "C.A."

House 1897-98 (District 43); House 1899-1900 (District 18)

Party when first elected:  Democratic

Counties Served:  Chippewa, Lac Qui Parle, Swift

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 7/2/1862 (uncertain)
Birth Place: Fosnes
Birth County:
Birth Country: Norway
Date of Death: ??/??/1955
Gender: Male
Religion:
Reported Minority: None Reported
Other Names: C.A.
City of Residence (when first elected): Montevideo
Occupation (when first elected): Attorney at Law

EDUCATION

Winona County Common Schools; Elementary School;
Faribault County Common Schools; Elementary School;
Winona Normal School; Attended College;
Studied Law; Admitted to the Bar at Montevideo, Minnesota, Fall 1884

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

Municipal Mayor: Montevideo, Minnesota (Village Mayor); 18?? to 18??
Municipal Attorney: Montevideo, Minnesota (City Attorney); 18?? to 18??
School Board/Administration: Montevideo, Minnesota (School Board Member); 18?? to 18??

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Sarah Arneson (married on July 3, 1883)
Children: Four children: Walter, Alfred, Ernest, and Carl
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

He came to Winona County, Minnesota around 1867, with his parents. They later moved to Faribault County, Minnesota.

The Minnesota Legislative Manual, 1897 biographical section lists him as a Democrat on p. 627. It also states that he has always been independent in politics. In the election results section on p. 497 he's listed as D.-P. (Democratic-Populist?).

"Mr. Fosnes is independent in politics." (Progressive Men of Minnesota, 1897, p. 329)

"...in 1896 was elected to the state legislature on the fusion ticket." (Progressive Men of Minnesota, 1897, p. 329)

He ran unsuccessfully as the Prohibition party candidate for the United States Congress in the 1888 election.

He was a member of the International Order of Odd Fellows and the Masons.

Total Days Served: 1463

SESSIONS SERVED

31st Legislative Session (1899-1900)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 18
Elected: 11/8/1898
Residence: Montevideo
Term of Office: 1/3/1899 to 1/7/1901
Counties Represented: Chippewa
Occupation: Attorney at Law
Party: Democratic Party Notes: The Minnesota Legislative Manual, 1899 notes he has always been independent in politics.
Committees:
  • Binding Twine (Chair)
  • General Legislation
  • Insurance
  • Judiciary
  • Soldiers Home

30th Legislative Session (1897-1898)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 43
Elected: 11/3/1896
Residence: Montevideo
Term of Office: 1/5/1897 to 1/2/1899
Counties Represented: Chippewa, Lac Qui Parle, Swift
Occupation: Attorney at Law
Party: Democratic Party Notes: The Minnesota Legislative Manual, 1897 biographical section lists him as a Democrat on p. 627. It also states that he has always been independent in politics. In the election results section on p. 497 he's listed as D.-P. (Democratic-Populist?). "Mr. Fosnes is independent in politics." (Progressive Men of Minnesota, 1897, p. 329). "...in 1896 was elected to the state legislature on the fusion ticket." (Progressive Men of Minnesota, 1897, p. 329)
Committees:
  • Forestry and Fire Protection
  • Grain and Warehouse
  • Judiciary
  • State Prison and Reformatory
Articles & Books About
Shutter, Marion Daniel. "Christopher A. Fosnes." Progressive Men of Minnesota, Minneapolis: The Minneapolis Journal, 1897, p. 329.


These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.