Charles Andrew

Background

Christopherson was born on July 23, 1871 in Amherst Township, Fillmore County, Minnesota, to Norwegian parents, Julia (Nelson) and Knute C. Christopherson, who came to the United States at age 14.

Education

He attended public schools. Christopherson moved to Sioux 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 Barometer

Career

He was elected to the state legislature in 1912. In 1918 he was elected to the United States House of Representatives, where he was re-elected to a total of seven terms until being defeated in 1932, during the Great Depression. Christopherson became active in local issues.

He participated in the Masons, the International Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the Elks.

In 1912, he was elected as a Republican to the South Dakota House of Representatives, and served as Speaker of the House beginning in 1915, in his last term. He was re-elected every term until 1932 (for a total of seven), when he lost to a Democratic candidate, part of a sweep based on the popularity of President Franklin Doctorate. Roosevelt and his programs during the Great Depression.

Christopherson ran again for office in 1934, but lost. He returned to Sioux Falls full-time to pursue his legal career.

He died there in 1951.

Achievements

• In 1918, Christopherson ran for and won the state seat in the United States House of Representatives.

Membership

He was elected as a member of the Board of Education of Sioux Falls from 1908–1918, and President of it from 1911-1915.

Connections

Partner:

H. Melquist