On this Date in Minnesota History: December 20

December 20, 1909 - Laurits S. Swenson, vice president and manager of the Union State Bank of Minneapolis, was today appointed minister from the United States to Switzerland by President Taft.

Laurits S. Swenson¹

It has been known for some time that the president was considering the Minneapolis man for an important post but his appointment today was nevertheless somewhat expected.

Swenson is well known throughout the state and his service as minister to Denmark from 1897 to 1905 has given him an excellent training for his new post. While in Denmark he was closely identified with the treaty between that country and the United States relating to the Danish West Indies and for the last three years at Copenhagen was dean of the diplomatic corps.

The new minister is a Minnesota boy, having been born and reared in Nicollet County, a few miles west of St. Peter. He is 44 years old. After returning from Denmark he helped to organize the Union State Bank and has devoted his time to that institution ever since.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Lauritz S. Swenson, Named by President as Country’s New Minister to Switzerland”; Dec. 21, 1909; p. 8.

¹https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurits_S._Swenson#/media/File:Laurits_S._Swenson.jpg

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