Knute Nelson

Knute Nelson, also known as Knud Evanger was a NorwegianAmerican attorney and politician active in both Wisconsin and Minnesota. A Republican, he served in state and national positions he was elected to the Wisconsin and Minnesota legislatures, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and the United States Senate from Minnesota, and he served as the 12th Governor of Minnesota. He was the first Scandinavianborn American to be elected to the Senate.

Knute Nelson was born out of wedlock in Voss, Norway to Ingebjrg Haldorsdatter Kvilekval, who named him Knud Evanger. He was baptized by his uncle on their farm of Kvilekval, who recorded his father as Helge Knudsen Styve. This is unconfirmed. Various theories persist about Knuds paternity, including one involving Gjest Baardsen, a famous outlaw.

Source: Wikipedia