Andrew Volstead facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Andrew Volstead
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 7th district |
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| In office March 4, 1903 – March 3, 1923 |
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| Preceded by | Frank Eddy |
| Succeeded by | Ole J. Kvale |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Andrew John Volstead
October 31, 1860 Kenyon, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Died | January 20, 1947 (aged 86) Granite Falls, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Resting place | Granite Falls Cemetery |
| Political party | Republican |
| Profession | Law |
Andrew John Volstead (born October 31, 1860 – died January 20, 1947) was an important American politician from Minnesota. He served as a member of the United States House of Representatives for 20 years, from 1903 to 1923. Volstead was a member of the Republican Party. He is most famous for the National Prohibition Act of 1919, which is often called the Volstead Act. This law helped to enforce a time in American history called Prohibition. During Prohibition, making, selling, or transporting alcoholic drinks was against the law.
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Andrew Volstead's Early Life and Career
Andrew Volstead was born in Kenyon, Goodhue County, Minnesota. His parents were Norwegian-American. He went to St. Olaf College. After college, he became a lawyer.
Volstead served as the mayor of Granite Falls, Minnesota from 1900 to 1902. Before that, he practiced law in Grantsburg, Wisconsin. He moved to Granite Falls in 1886.
Andrew Volstead's Time in Congress
While in Congress, Andrew Volstead was the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. He held this important position from 1919 to 1923.
The Volstead Act
Many people think Andrew Volstead wrote the Volstead Act all by himself. However, he worked with a person named Wayne Wheeler. Wheeler was from the Anti-Saloon League. Wheeler actually came up with the idea for the bill and wrote most of it. But Volstead was the one who officially introduced the bill in Congress. He also worked hard to get it passed into law. The Volstead Act was the main law that helped enforce Prohibition in the United States.
Helping Farmers with the Capper–Volstead Act
Volstead also helped write another important law called the Capper–Volstead Act. This law was very helpful for farmers. It allowed farmers to create their own local cooperatives. A cooperative is a business that is owned and run by its members. This law protected farmers from being unfairly treated under older laws like the Sherman Antitrust Act. The Capper–Volstead Act is still an important law today.
Congressional Terms and Later Life
Andrew Volstead served in Congress for many years. He was a member of the 58th through the 67th Congresses. In 1922, he tried to be elected for an 11th term but was not successful.
After leaving Congress, Volstead became a legal adviser. He worked for the chief of the National Prohibition Enforcement Bureau. When Prohibition ended in 1933, Volstead returned to Granite Falls, Minnesota. He went back to working as a private lawyer.
Andrew Volstead passed away in 1947. His former home in Granite Falls, Minnesota, is now a National Historic Landmark. This means it is a place recognized for its historical importance. He is buried in the Granite Falls city cemetery.
See Also
- List of covers of Time magazine (1920s) – March 29, 1926
- Bootleggers and Baptists
