Volstead, Andrew John (1860-1947), a Minnesota Republican congressman from 1903 to 1923, introduced the National Prohibition Act of 1919, also known as the Volstead Act. He personally opposed saloons more than moderate drinking. He also wrote the Farmers’ Co-operative Marketing Act as well as drainage and homestead laws. He was born in Goodhue County, Minnesota, on Oct. 31, 1860. He graduated from St. Olaf’s School (now St. Olaf College) in Northfield, Minnesota. After his election defeat of 1922, he served as counsel to prohibition groups. Volstead died on Jan. 20, 1947.
