Gabriel Schanche Kielland
Encyclopedia
Gabriel Schanche Kielland (4 March 1760 – 5 March 1821) was a Norwegian businessman and ship owner. He managed the Stavanger
company Jacob Kielland & Søn from 1790, and became one of the most wealthy and prominent persons in the city. He let construct the large country house Ledaal
around 1800, which has later become a royal residence in Stavanger. He was elected to the Parliament of Norway in 1815 without assuming office. He is also known as an important ancestor within the Kielland family.
as the only son of captain and businessman Jacob Jansen Kielland (1727–1788) and Elisabeth Schanche (1733–1784). In April 1783 he married Johanna Margaretha Bull (1758–1818). His father-in-law Jens Bull was a former son-in-law of Vincent Stoltenberg (1694–1763), ancestor of the Stoltenberg family. Gabriel Schanche and Johanna Margaretha Kielland had six children, four sons and two daughters. The first son died young, so did the second daughter. The second son Jens Bull Kielland became a noted military officer, the third son Jacob Kielland became a noted businessman and his fourth son Jonas Schanche Kielland
became a politician. Gabriel Schanche and Inger Larsdatter Lura (1800-1874) had one son together. Søren Lura (1819-1866) became a master cobbler in the age of 23.
Through Jacob Kielland he was the grandfather of Jens Zetlitz Kielland
and great-grandfather of the priest Jacob Kielland
, painter Kitty Kielland
, writer Alexander Kielland
and jurist and journalist Tycho Kielland
. Through Jacob Kielland he was also the grandfather of officer Jacob Kielland
and through him grandfather of diplomat Axel Christian Zetlitz Kielland
, civil servant Christian Bendz Kielland
and politician Jonas Schanche Kielland
.
and the Dutch Republic
, in order to study trade and to build a business network. After the death of his father in 1788, he bought shares from his sisters. In 1790 he merged the trade company and his inherited properties, creating the company Jacob Kielland & Søn.
The properties included a brickworks in Sandnes
. The building of the property Ledaal
was finished 1803. It was intended as a leisure and social house, and also functioned as a small, private museum and library. Ledaal was acquired by Stavanger Museum in 1936, and opened as a royal residence in 1949. Jacob Kielland & Søn was also heavily involved in shipping. In 1801 the company owned one fregate, one barque
, six brig
s and one galeas
. The company had benefitted from the French Revolutionary Wars
, both from trade since Denmark-Norway was neutral, and also because Kielland was involved in insurance and took provision from auctions on flotsam. Being vice consul
for the United Kingdom since 1787, he even managed to prevent British caper
fregates from violating the neutrality of Denmark-Norway in 1793 and 1796. He held several posts among the notable citizens of Stavanger. He became town lieutenant at a young age, and was promoted to head of the town vigilante
s in 1784. In 1801, following the Battle of Copenhagen
, the United Kingdom and Denmark-Norway became belligerents, and the vigilantes of Stavanger set up coastal batteries.
In the same year, failed crops led to lack of grain in Stavanger Amt
. Jacob Kielland & Søn managed, for a good part, to uphold the grain supply. The same thing happened in 1807, when the Gunboat War
broke out, an open war between the United Kingdom and Denmark-Norway. Kielland organized grain storage in an initial phase, although others took over. Kielland also contributed personally to funding the standing defence of Norway. The company experienced hardships during the war as many ships were taken by privateer
s, and trade became difficult. It survived the Gunboat War partly due to "pliable circumvention of taxes".
Kielland was decorated as a Knight of the Danish Order of the Dannebrog
in 1809. He again became British vice consul in 1816, and also consular agent for Prussia
in 1813 and vice consul for the city-state Hamburg
in 1817. In 1815 he was elected to the Parliament of Norway, but illness prevented him from actually assuming office. He died in March 1821 in Stavanger, as one of the most wealthy persons in the city.
Stavanger
Stavanger is a city and municipality in the county of Rogaland, Norway.Stavanger municipality has a population of 126,469. There are 197,852 people living in the Stavanger conurbation, making Stavanger the fourth largest city, but the third largest urban area, in Norway...
company Jacob Kielland & Søn from 1790, and became one of the most wealthy and prominent persons in the city. He let construct the large country house Ledaal
Ledaal
- History :The main building was built between 1799 and 1803. It was then owned by the merchant Gabriel Schanche Kielland. He gave the estate its present name after the last letters of his and his wife's names: Gabriel Schanche Kielland, Johanna Margaretha Bull. Ledaal was bought by Stavanger...
around 1800, which has later become a royal residence in Stavanger. He was elected to the Parliament of Norway in 1815 without assuming office. He is also known as an important ancestor within the Kielland family.
Personal life
He was born in StavangerStavanger
Stavanger is a city and municipality in the county of Rogaland, Norway.Stavanger municipality has a population of 126,469. There are 197,852 people living in the Stavanger conurbation, making Stavanger the fourth largest city, but the third largest urban area, in Norway...
as the only son of captain and businessman Jacob Jansen Kielland (1727–1788) and Elisabeth Schanche (1733–1784). In April 1783 he married Johanna Margaretha Bull (1758–1818). His father-in-law Jens Bull was a former son-in-law of Vincent Stoltenberg (1694–1763), ancestor of the Stoltenberg family. Gabriel Schanche and Johanna Margaretha Kielland had six children, four sons and two daughters. The first son died young, so did the second daughter. The second son Jens Bull Kielland became a noted military officer, the third son Jacob Kielland became a noted businessman and his fourth son Jonas Schanche Kielland
Jonas Schanche Kielland
Jonas Schanche Kielland was a Norwegian consul and politician.-Personal life:He was born in Stavanger to Gabriel Schanche Kielland and Johanna Margaretha Kielland . He had three older brothers and two older sisters, but his youngest sister Elisabeth only survived for a month, and the oldest...
became a politician. Gabriel Schanche and Inger Larsdatter Lura (1800-1874) had one son together. Søren Lura (1819-1866) became a master cobbler in the age of 23.
Through Jacob Kielland he was the grandfather of Jens Zetlitz Kielland
Jens Zetlitz Kielland
Jens Zetlitz Kielland was a Norwegian consul and artist. He is known as the father of novelist Alexander Kielland.He was born in Stavanger to Jacob Kielland and Axeliane Christine , née Zetlitz. His grandfather was Gabriel Schanche Kielland, his uncle Jonas Schanche Kielland. He had four brothers...
and great-grandfather of the priest Jacob Kielland
Jacob Kielland (priest)
-Personal life:He was born in Stavanger to Jens Zetlitz Kielland and his wife Christine , née Lange. His grandfather was also named Jacob, so was an uncle. Through his uncle, Jacob was the cousin of diplomat Axel Christian Zetlitz Kielland, mayor Jonas Schancke Kielland and others...
, painter Kitty Kielland
Kitty Lange Kielland
-Early life and training:Kielland was born to an affluent family in Stavanger, the older sister of Alexander Kielland. Kielland's mutual interactions with her brother would be important to shaping her as an artist. Although she received some training in drawing and painting, it was not until she...
, writer Alexander Kielland
Alexander Kielland
Alexander Lange Kielland was one of the most famous Norwegian realistic writers of the 19th century. He is one of the so-called "The Four Greats" in Norwegian literature, along with Henrik Ibsen, Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson and Jonas Lie.-Background:Born in Stavanger, Norway, he grew up in a rich...
and jurist and journalist Tycho Kielland
Tycho Kielland
Tycho Kielland was a Norwegian jurist and journalist.He was born in Stavanger to Jens Zetlitz Kielland and his wife Christine , née Lange. His grandfather was Jacob Kielland, and an uncle was also named Jacob Kielland...
. Through Jacob Kielland he was also the grandfather of officer Jacob Kielland
Jacob Kielland (officer)
Jacob Kielland was a Norwegian naval officer and politician.-Personal life:He was born in Stavanger to Jacob Kielland and Axeliane Christine , née Zetlitz. His grandfather was Gabriel Schanche Kielland, his uncle Jonas Schanche Kielland. He had four brothers and five sisters, most of them older...
and through him grandfather of diplomat Axel Christian Zetlitz Kielland
Axel Christian Zetlitz Kielland
Axel Christian Zetlitz Kielland was a Norwegian civil servant and diplomat.-Personal life:He was born in Stavanger to Jacob Kielland and Thora Margrethe , née Bendz. His grandfather was Jacob Kielland, his uncle Jens Zetlitz Kielland and his cousins Kitty Lange and Alexander Kielland...
, civil servant Christian Bendz Kielland
Christian Bendz Kielland
-Personal life:He was born in Horten to Jacob Kielland and his wife Thora Margrethe , née Bendz. His grandfather was Jacob Kielland, his uncle Jens Zetlitz Kielland and his cousins Kitty Lange and Alexander Kielland. Jonas Schancke Kielland had three older brothers, one older sister and one younger...
and politician Jonas Schanche Kielland
Jonas Schanche Kielland (born 1863)
Jonas Schanche Kielland was a Norwegian judge and politician.-Personal life:He was born in Horten to Jacob Kielland and his wife Thora Margrethe , née Bendz. His grandfather was Jacob Kielland, his uncle Jens Zetlitz Kielland and his cousins Kitty Lange and Alexander Kielland...
.
Career
Gabriel Schanche Kielland was originally intended to be a teacher, and studied dead languages for seven years with private tuition. However, due to his father's declining health and him being the only son, he would take over his father's business endeavors. He acquired burghership in Stavanger in 1783, and after four years in his own trade company, he became a partner in his father's company in 1787. He also conducted several travels to the Nordic countries, the Kingdom of Great BritainKingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
and the Dutch Republic
Dutch Republic
The Dutch Republic — officially known as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands , the Republic of the United Netherlands, or the Republic of the Seven United Provinces — was a republic in Europe existing from 1581 to 1795, preceding the Batavian Republic and ultimately...
, in order to study trade and to build a business network. After the death of his father in 1788, he bought shares from his sisters. In 1790 he merged the trade company and his inherited properties, creating the company Jacob Kielland & Søn.
The properties included a brickworks in Sandnes
Sandnes
is a city and municipality in Rogaland county, Norway. It is part of the region of Jæren.-History:Sandnes was separated from Høyland as a municipality of its own in 1860, and gained city status the same year...
. The building of the property Ledaal
Ledaal
- History :The main building was built between 1799 and 1803. It was then owned by the merchant Gabriel Schanche Kielland. He gave the estate its present name after the last letters of his and his wife's names: Gabriel Schanche Kielland, Johanna Margaretha Bull. Ledaal was bought by Stavanger...
was finished 1803. It was intended as a leisure and social house, and also functioned as a small, private museum and library. Ledaal was acquired by Stavanger Museum in 1936, and opened as a royal residence in 1949. Jacob Kielland & Søn was also heavily involved in shipping. In 1801 the company owned one fregate, one barque
Barque
A barque, barc, or bark is a type of sailing vessel with three or more masts.- History of the term :The word barque appears to have come from the Greek word baris, a term for an Egyptian boat. This entered Latin as barca, which gave rise to the Italian barca, Spanish barco, and the French barge and...
, six brig
Brig
A brig is a sailing vessel with two square-rigged masts. During the Age of Sail, brigs were seen as fast and manoeuvrable and were used as both naval warships and merchant vessels. They were especially popular in the 18th and early 19th centuries...
s and one galeas
Galeas
The galeas is a small type of trade ship, which was common in the Baltic Sea and North Sea from the 17th to the early 20th centuries. The characteristics of the ships depend somewhat from where the ship originated. Swedish versions had two masts and were rigged as ketchs, sometimes as schooners...
. The company had benefitted from the French Revolutionary Wars
French Revolutionary Wars
The French Revolutionary Wars were a series of major conflicts, from 1792 until 1802, fought between the French Revolutionary government and several European states...
, both from trade since Denmark-Norway was neutral, and also because Kielland was involved in insurance and took provision from auctions on flotsam. Being vice consul
Consul (representative)
The political title Consul is used for the official representatives of the government of one state in the territory of another, normally acting to assist and protect the citizens of the consul's own country, and to facilitate trade and friendship between the peoples of the two countries...
for the United Kingdom since 1787, he even managed to prevent British caper
Caper
Capparis spinosa, the caper bush, is a perennial winter-deciduous species that bears rounded, fleshy leaves and large white to pinkish-white flowers. A caper is also the pickled bud of this plant...
fregates from violating the neutrality of Denmark-Norway in 1793 and 1796. He held several posts among the notable citizens of Stavanger. He became town lieutenant at a young age, and was promoted to head of the town vigilante
Vigilante
A vigilante is a private individual who legally or illegally punishes an alleged lawbreaker, or participates in a group which metes out extralegal punishment to an alleged lawbreaker....
s in 1784. In 1801, following the Battle of Copenhagen
Battle of Copenhagen (1801)
The Battle of Copenhagen was an engagement which saw a British fleet under the command of Admiral Sir Hyde Parker fight and strategically defeat a Danish-Norwegian fleet anchored just off Copenhagen on 2 April 1801. Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson led the main attack. He famously disobeyed Parker's...
, the United Kingdom and Denmark-Norway became belligerents, and the vigilantes of Stavanger set up coastal batteries.
In the same year, failed crops led to lack of grain in Stavanger Amt
Rogaland
is a county in Western Norway, bordering Hordaland, Telemark, Aust-Agder and Vest-Agder. It is the center of the Norwegian petroleum industry, and as a result of this, Rogaland has the lowest unemployment rate of any county in Norway, 1.1%...
. Jacob Kielland & Søn managed, for a good part, to uphold the grain supply. The same thing happened in 1807, when the Gunboat War
Gunboat War
The Gunboat War was the naval conflict between Denmark–Norway and the British Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. The war's name is derived from the Danish tactic of employing small gunboats against the conventional Royal Navy...
broke out, an open war between the United Kingdom and Denmark-Norway. Kielland organized grain storage in an initial phase, although others took over. Kielland also contributed personally to funding the standing defence of Norway. The company experienced hardships during the war as many ships were taken by privateer
Privateer
A privateer is a private person or ship authorized by a government by letters of marque to attack foreign shipping during wartime. Privateering was a way of mobilizing armed ships and sailors without having to spend public money or commit naval officers...
s, and trade became difficult. It survived the Gunboat War partly due to "pliable circumvention of taxes".
Kielland was decorated as a Knight of the Danish Order of the Dannebrog
Order of the Dannebrog
The Order of the Dannebrog is an Order of Denmark, instituted in 1671 by Christian V. It resulted from a move in 1660 to break the absolutism of the nobility. The Order was only to comprise 50 noble Knights in one class plus the Master of the Order, i.e. the Danish monarch, and his sons...
in 1809. He again became British vice consul in 1816, and also consular agent for Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
in 1813 and vice consul for the city-state Hamburg
Hamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
in 1817. In 1815 he was elected to the Parliament of Norway, but illness prevented him from actually assuming office. He died in March 1821 in Stavanger, as one of the most wealthy persons in the city.