Most famous for his more famous son, Charles Lindbergh Sr. was an influential Minnesota political figure, unafraid to take an unpopular stand.
Charles was born into controversy. His mother was a young, pretty waitress in Sweden named Lovisa Carlen. Young Lovisa fell in love with Ola Mansson, a married politician, bank official, and one time farmer. Lovisa became pregnant with a boy she named Carl. Compounding their problems Ola was charged with bribery and embezzlement. The three left Stockholm for a new start in the new world.
Changing the family name to Lindbergh, they settled on a farm in Melrose, Minnesota. Charles eventually became a lawyer and politician. He served as a congressman beginning in 1906. Originally a Republican he became a member of the Farmer Labor party. He strongly opposed the formation of the Federal Reserve, writing a book on the subject.
"This Act (the Federal Reserve Act, Dec. 23rd 1913) establishes the
most gigantic trust on earth. When the President (Woodrow Wilson) signs
the Bill, the invisible government of the Monetary Power will be
legalised... The worst legislative crime of the ages is perpetrated
by this banking and currency Bill."
Lindbergh was a strong opponent of US entry into WWI. In his campaign for Governor in 1918 he was accused of being pro-German. Violence and vandalism followed him around the state, and he was often hung in effigy. Homes of his supporters were painted yellow. He traveled with muckraking journalist and fellow Farmer Labor member Walter Liggett. Liggett recorded the many attacks.
Lindbergh lost his bid for Minnesota's highest office amidst accusations of voter fraud in Farmer Labor strongholds. He ran again in 1924, but succombed to brain cancer during the campaign. His ashes were spread over the Sauk River near Melrose.
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