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Andrew John Volstead (October 31, 1860 – January 20, 1947) was an American member of the United States House of Representatives from Minnesota,1903 - 1923, and a member of the Republican Party. His name is closely associated with the National Prohibition Act of 1919, usually called the Volstead Act. The act was the enabling legislation for the enforcement of national prohibition beginning in 1920.

Early life

Volstead was born in Kenyon, Goodhue County, Minnesota, to Norwegian-American parents Jon Einartson Vraalstad (John Vrolstad), a distant relative of Queen Sonja of Norway,^[1] and wife Dorothea Mathea Lillo. He was educated at St. Olaf College, became a lawyer and served as mayor of Granite Falls, Minnesota, from 1900 to 1902.

Congressional career

While in Congress, he served as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee from 1919 to 1923. Although often considered the author of the Volstead Act, he collaborated with Wayne Wheeler of the anti-Saloon League, who conceived and largely drafted the bill. However, Volstead sponsored the bill and championed, promoted and facilitated its passage.^[2] He also helped author the Capper-Volstead Act, which enabled farmers to form combines without fear of prosecution under the Sherman Antitrust Act. The law is still in effect.

Volstead was a member of the 58th, 59th, 60th, 61st, 62nd, 63rd, 64th, 65th, 66th, and 67th 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 the National Prohibition Enforcement Bureau. Upon Repeal of Prohibition in 1933, Volstead returned to Granite Falls, Minnesota, where he resumed the private practice of law. He died in 1947. Volstead's former home, located at 163 Ninth Avenue, Granite Falls, Minnesota, is a National Historic Landmark. He is buried in the Granite Falls city cemetery.^[3]

In (un)popular culture

Andrew Volstead was understandably unpopular with Prohibition-era drinkers. The main character in Miller's Crossing (1990), a film by directors Joel and Ethan Coen about 1920's gangster activity, offers the sarcastic toast "To Volstead!", before tossing back a drink.

See also

• Andrew John Volstead House, a National Historic Landmark
• List of people on the cover of Time Magazine: 1920s - 29 Mar. 1926

Notes

• Andrew Volstead at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

References

External links

• “Norwegian American Hall of Fame”
• “National Agriculture Hall of Fame”
• “Cooperative Hall of Fame”
• “Minnesota Historic Society”
• “National Historic Landmarks”

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.