Jacob Kielland (officer)

Jacob Kielland was a member of the prominent family of Kielland. He was born in Stavanger to Jacob Kielland and Axeliane Christine (1792–1855), née Zetlitz.[1] His grandfather was Gabriel Schanche Kielland, his uncle Jonas Schanche Kielland. He had four brothers and five sisters, most of them older than he was,[2] even though a few died young. Through his brother Jens Zetlitz Kielland, Jacob Kielland had a nephew Alexander Lange Kielland who became one of the most prominent novelists in Norwegian history.

In March 1849 Jacob Kielland married Thora Margrethe Bendz,[1] daughter of Christian Ahle Bendz (1790–1867) and his wife Frederikke Magdalene (1799–1837) in Fredriksværn.[3] They had five sons and one daughter.[1] One son, Christian Bendz Kielland (1851-1855), died in childhood; he was remembered by giving his name to another son, born subsequently.

• Axel Christian Zetlitz Kielland, a leading jurist
• Jonas Schancke Kielland, politician
• Christian Bendz Kielland, namesake of the deceased brother, a high-ranking civil servant

Jacob Kielland started his career in the navy. He was ranked cadet in 1838, Sub-Lieutenant in 1844, and Premier Lieutenant in 1856. He had been based in Fredriksværn and Horten, but inherited a third of Ledaal farm in 1863. In 1866 he retired from the navy with the rank of Lieutenant Captain (Lieutenant-Commander). He started working with agriculture and gardening.[1]

He was mayor of Stavanger from 1870 to 1871. He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament in 1874, representing the constituency of Stavanger. He had also served as a deputy representative during the term 1871–1873.[4] He was politically conservative.[1]

He died in 1889 in Stavanger.[1]