Andrew Volstead

Andrew Volstead

Andrew John Volstead (October 31 1860 – January 20 1947) was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Minnesota in the 58th, 59th, 60th, 61st, 62nd, 63rd, 64th, 65th, 66th, and 67th congresses, from 1903 to 1923 and a member of the United States Republican Party. His name is closely associated with the National Prohibition Act of 1919, usually called the Volstead Act. That was the enabling legislation for the enforcement of national prohibition beginning in 1920.

Volstead was born in Kenyon, Minnesota to Norwegian parents. He was educated at St. Olaf College and became a lawyer and was mayor of Granite Falls, Minnesota from 1900 to 1902.

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. [ [http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/Controversies/1124913901.html] (site funded by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States)] 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 defeated in his attempt to be elected to an 11th term in Congress 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 and died in 1947. His former home, located at 163 Ninth Avenue, Granite Falls, Minnesota is a National Historic Landmark. Volstead is buried in the Granite Falls city cemetery.

Trivia

Andrew Volstead was understandably unpopular with prohibition-era drinkers. The main character in "Millers Crossing", a film about 1920's gangster activity, offers the sarcastic toast, "To Volstead!" before tossing back a drink during the shakedown of a rival gangster's club.

Notes

ee also

*Andrew John Volstead House, a National Historic Landmark


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  • Andrew Volstead — Andrew John Volstead (* 31. Oktober 1860 bei Kenyon, Goodhue County, Minnesota; † 20. Januar 1947 in Granite Falls, Minnesota) war ein US amerikanischer Politiker. Zwischen 1903 und 1923 vertrat er den Bundesstaat Minnesota im …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Andrew John Volstead House — Infobox nrhp | name = Andrew John Volstead House nrhp type =nhl caption = location= 163 Ninth Avenue Granite Falls, Minnesota lat degrees = 44 lat minutes = 48 lat seconds = 33.3 lat direction = N long degrees = 95 long minutes = 32 long seconds …   Wikipedia

  • Volstead Act — National Prohibition Act Full title An Act to prohibit intoxicating beverages, and to regulate the manufacture, production, use, and sale of high proof spirits for other than beverage purposes, and to ensure an ample supply of alcohol and promote …   Wikipedia

  • Volstead — n. Andrew Volstead (1860 1947), American legislator and Prohibitionist, author of the Volstead Act; family name …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Volstead — in reference to Prohibition legislation in U.S., 1920, from U.S. Rep. Andrew J. Volstead (1860 1947), Republican of Minnesota, who introduced the bill in 1919 that prohibited the manufacture, transportation, and sale of beverages containing more… …   Etymology dictionary

  • Andrew Kiefer — Andrew Robert Kiefer (* 25. Mai 1832 in Marienborn, Großherzogtum Hessen; † 1. Mai 1904 in Saint Paul, Minnesota) war ein US amerikanischer Politiker. Zwischen 1893 und 1897 vertrat er den Bundesstaat Minneso …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Volstead,Andrew John — Vol·stead (vŏlʹstĕd , vôlʹ , vōlʹ ), Andrew John. 1860 1947. American legislator. As a U.S. representative from Minnesota (1903 1923) he sponsored the Volstead Act (1919), prohibiting the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcoholic… …   Universalium

  • Volstead Act — an act of Congress, introduced in 1919 by Andrew J. Volstead to implement the Eighteenth Amendment of the Constitution, which forbade the sale of alcoholic beverages. * * *       (1919), U.S. law enacted to provide enforcement for the Eighteenth… …   Universalium

  • Volstead Act — an act of Congress, introduced in 1919 by Andrew J. Volstead to implement the Eighteenth Amendment of the Constitution, which forbade the sale of alcoholic beverages …   Useful english dictionary

  • Volstead — biographical name Andrew John 1860 1947 American legislator …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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