Andrew Volstead

Andrew Volstead
Andrew Volstead
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives; from Minnesota's 7th 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, 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 (

enabling legislation for the enforcement of Prohibition in the United States

beginning in 1920.

Early life

Volstead was born in

Minneapolis Star, he first practiced law in Grantsburg, Wisconsin

, before moving to Granite Falls in 1886.

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.^[1] He also helped author the Capper–Volstead Act, which enabled farmers to form locally owned cooperatives without fear of prosecution under the Sherman Antitrust Act

. The law is still in effect.

Volstead was a member 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.^[2]