27 Facts About Norman Kittson

Norman Wolfred Kittson was one of early Minnesota's most prominent citizens.

Norman Kittson was a fur trader, then a steamboat-line operator and finally a railway entrepreneur and owner of thoroughbred racehorses.

Norman Kittson was part of the original syndicate that created the Canadian Pacific Railway.

Norman Wolfred Kittson was the eighth of ten children born to George Kittson, merchant, Justice of the Peace, clerk of the Commisariat and King's auctioneer at Sorel, and later Principal Cashier of the Bank of Canada in Montreal, both in Lower Canada.

Norman Kittson was born 6 March 1814, and baptized on 27 March of the same year in Sorel.

Norman Kittson served at various posts in what became Minnesota Territory in the United States.

Norman Kittson left the American Fur Company in 1833 to become a clerk to the sutler at Fort Snelling.

In 1844, maintaining a large degree of independence, Norman Kittson established a permanent post at Pembina, North Dakota, where he made his headquarters.

Norman Kittson served in the Minnesota Territorial Council from 1852 to 1855, while living in Pembina.

Norman Kittson collected furs from James Sinclair and established strong connections to the local French Canadians.

In 1852, Norman Kittson relocated from Pembina to St Joseph to avoid the periodic flooding of the Red River of the North.

Norman Kittson moved to Minnesota's new capital, St Paul, in 1854, becoming one the city's most influential businessman.

Norman Kittson operated a fur and goods business and had several investments and real estate holdings.

Norman Kittson served on the St Paul City Council from 1856 to 1858.

Norman Kittson was a long-time operator of Red River cart brigades on the Red River Trails, which served his trading businesses.

In 1858 Norman Kittson was instrumental in establishing a steamboat service on the Red River of the North, a route which was used by the HBC.

Norman Kittson co-ordinated the import of trade goods from Britain and the export of furs by cart brigades between St Paul and Georgetown, and by the steamship International between Georgetown and the Red River Settlement.

In 1872 Norman Kittson joined up with another former competitor, James Jerome Hill, forming the Red River Transportation Company.

The line had five steamboats, and Norman Kittson had invested $75,000 by 1873.

In 1879, though in poor health, Norman Kittson embarked on his last major venture.

When Norman Kittson sold his shares in the company in 1881, it made him a very wealthy man, running his investments into the millions.

Norman Kittson was possessed of "a sartorial elegance and a love of race horses," and it was this latter interest on which he concentrated after retiring from business.

Norman Kittson was a daughter of blacksmith Narcisse Marion and the sister of Roger Marion, a conservative Member of Parliament.

Norman Kittson had many friends among the Red River Metis including a first cousin, Ambrose Lepine, who was an associate of Louis Riel.

When Elise died in 1868, Norman Kittson took her body back to St Boniface for burial among her family and childhood friends.

Norman Kittson then married the Swiss Sophia Perret, daughter of Abraham Perret, and finally, he married Mary Cochrane.

Norman Kittson died May 10,1888 in a dining car after ordering dinner while he was traveling on the Chicago and North Western Railway towards St Paul.