Andrew Volstead | |
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| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromMinnesota's7th district | |
| In office March 4, 1903 – March 3, 1923 | |
| Preceded by | Frank Eddy |
| Succeeded by | Ole J. Kvale |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Andrew John Volstead October 31, 1859 |
| Died | January 20, 1947(1947-01-20) (aged 87) Granite Falls,Minnesota, U.S. |
| Resting place | Granite Falls Cemetery |
| Political party | Republican |
| Profession | Law |
Andrew John Volstead (/ˈvɒlstɛd/) (October 31, 1859 – January 20, 1947) was an American member of theUnited States House of Representatives fromMinnesota, 1903–1923, and a member of theRepublican Party. His name is closely associated with the National Prohibition Act of 1919, usually called theVolstead Act. The act was theenabling legislation for the enforcement ofProhibition in the United States beginning in 1920.
Volstead was born inKenyon,Goodhue County,Minnesota, toNorwegian-American parents Jon Einertson Vraalstad (John Vrolstad), a distant relative ofQueen Sonja of Norway,[citation needed] and wife Dorothea Mathea Lillo. He was educated atSt. Olaf College, became a lawyer and served as mayor ofGranite Falls, Minnesota, from 1900 to 1902. According to his obituary in a 1947 edition of theMinneapolis Star, he first practiced law inGrantsburg, Wisconsin, before moving to Granite Falls in 1886.
While in Congress, he served as chairman of theHouse Judiciary Committee from 1919 to 1923. Although often considered the author of the Volstead Act, he collaborated withWayne Wheeler of theAnti-Saloon League, who conceived and largely drafted the bill. However, Volstead sponsored the bill and championed, promoted and facilitated its passage.[1] He also helped author theCapper–Volstead Act, which enabled farmers to form locally owned cooperatives without fear of prosecution under theSherman Antitrust Act. The law is still in effect.
Volstead was a member of the58th,59th,60th,61st,62nd,63rd,64th,65th,66th, and67th congresses. He was defeated in his attempt to be elected to an 11th term in 1922. Shortly thereafter he was hired as legal adviser to the chief of theNational Prohibition Enforcement Bureau.
Uponrepeal of Prohibition in 1933, Volstead returned to Granite Falls, Minnesota, where he resumed the private practice of law.
He died in 1947. Volstead'sformer home, located at 163 Ninth Avenue, Granite Falls, Minnesota, is aNational Historic Landmark. He is buried in the Granite Falls city cemetery.[2]
This article incorporatespublic domain material fromVolstead, Andrew John, (1860–1947).Federal government of the United States.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | U.S.Representative fromMinnesota's 7th congressional district 1903–1923 | Succeeded by |
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