Background
Kittel Halvorson was born near Tuddal in Hjartdal parish, Telemark, Norway.
Kittel Halvorson was born near Tuddal in Hjartdal parish, Telemark, Norway.
He attended the public schools in Winchester, Wisconsin.
In 1863, Halvorson enlisted in Company C, First Regiment, Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, and served until the close of the Civil War. His service record included participation in the Battle of Missionary Ridge and the Battle of Chattanooga. Halvorson moved to Minnesota in November 1865 and homesteaded near Belgrade, Stearns County where he engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock raising.
He was elected as a Populist to the 52nd United States Congress, (March 4, 1891 – March 3, 1893).
He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1892 to the 53rd Congress. He resumed agricultural pursuits near Brooten, Stearns County, Minnesota.
He served as an alternate delegate to the Populist Party National Convention in 1896. He moved to Tewaukon Township, Sargent County, North Dakota in 1900 and engaged in agricultural pursuits, returning to Minnesota in 1910 and resuming farming in North Fork until 1924, when he retired.
Halvorson died in Havana, North Dakota, on July 12, 1936.
Goodwyn, Lawrence (1978) The Populist Moment: A Short History of the Agrarian Revolt in America (Oxford University Press).
He served as justice of the peace 1870 – 1875. Chairman of the board of supervisors 1870–1880. Township assessor in 1880.
Town clerk 1880 – 1891 and member of the Minnesota House of Representatives 1886–1888.