Charles A. Christopherson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromSouth Dakota's1st district | |
| In office March 4, 1919 – March 3, 1933 | |
| Preceded by | Charles H. Dillon |
| Succeeded by | Fred H. Hildebrandt |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Charles Andrew Christopherson (1871-07-23)July 23, 1871 |
| Died | November 2, 1951(1951-11-02) (aged 80) Sioux Falls, South Dakota, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Abbie Deyoe |
| Education | Read Law |
| Occupation | Attorney |
Charles Andrew Christopherson (July 23, 1871 – November 2, 1951) was an American lawyer and politician inSouth Dakota. He was elected to the state legislature in 1912. In 1918 he was elected to theUnited States House of Representatives, where he served a total of seven terms until being defeated in 1932, during theGreat Depression.[1]
Christopherson was born inAmherst Township, Fillmore County, Minnesota, to Norwegian parents, Julia (Nelson) and Knute C. Christopherson. His father came to the United States at age fourteen. He was one of seven children and was raised in the Lutheran Church. He attended public schools. Christopherson moved toSioux Falls, South Dakota, where he attended Sioux Falls Business College and Normal School. He graduated in 1890 and read the law with an established firm until he qualified for the bar.[2][3]
Christopherson was admitted to the bar in 1893, and started his practice in Sioux Falls at theJoe Kirby law office[3] He later practiced alone until taking Fredolph H. Melquist as a partner in 1913. Christopherson became active in local issues. He was elected as a member of the Board of Education of Sioux Falls from 1908 to 1918, and President of it from 1911 to 1915 and served as president of the board of directors of the Union Savings Association (1912).[2]
In 1912, he was elected as aRepublican to theSouth Dakota House of Representatives, and served asSpeaker of the House beginning in 1915, in his last term.[2]
In1918, Christopherson successfully ran for Congress fromSouth Dakota's 1st congressional district. He was re-elected six times, but lost re-election in1932 to DemocratFred H. Hildebrandt. He ran against Hildebrandt again in1934, but lost by a wider margin.
In1936, Christopherson ran for the U.S. Senate, but lost in the Republican primary toChan Gurney.
He subsequently returned to Sioux Falls full-time to pursue his legal career.[4]
Christopherson married Abbie M. Deyoe (1871-1952) fromCedar Falls, Iowa on November 30, 1897. Her parents were both born in New York State. They had two children: Wanda M. and Charles A. Christopherson.
He and his family belonged to the Congregational Church. He participated in the Masons, the International Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the Elks.[2]
He died in 1951 and was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery inMinnehaha County, South Dakota.[2]
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Dakota's 1st congressional district 1919–1933 | Succeeded by |
| Twoat-large seats (1889–1913) |
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| Districts (1913–1983) |
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| One at-large seat (1983–present) |
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| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
