Asle Gronna
Encyclopedia
Asle Jorgenson Gronna was an American Senator
from North Dakota
, and one of the six to vote against the United States declaration of war leading to the First World War. Gronna was a Republican who reflected the attitudes of his region - progressive and isolationist. He blamed munition makers for the preparedness movement and World War I and was part of the "little group of willful men," so labeled by President Woodrow Wilson. In 1919 he was a staunch isolationist who opposed the League of Nations treaty because it further entangled the United States in foreign relationships and limited national decisionmaking. Gronna failed to win reelection in 1920.
Gronna was born in Elkader, Clayton County, Iowa
, of Norwegian
ancestry, but moved to Houston County, Minnesota
with his family. After moving to the Dakota Territory
in 1879 and several minor careers he landed himself in the field of politics. He was elected to the Dakota Territorial House of Representatives in 1889. He was elected to the 59th United States Congress as a Republican
in 1911 to replace Martin N. Johnson
, who had died in office. Gronna was re-elected in 1914 and served through the 60th and 61st Congresses as well finally leaving on March 4, 1921 after an unsuccessful 1920 campaign
.
He died on May 4, 1922 and is buried in the Lakota Cemetery.
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
from North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
, and one of the six to vote against the United States declaration of war leading to the First World War. Gronna was a Republican who reflected the attitudes of his region - progressive and isolationist. He blamed munition makers for the preparedness movement and World War I and was part of the "little group of willful men," so labeled by President Woodrow Wilson. In 1919 he was a staunch isolationist who opposed the League of Nations treaty because it further entangled the United States in foreign relationships and limited national decisionmaking. Gronna failed to win reelection in 1920.
Gronna was born in Elkader, Clayton County, Iowa
Clayton County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 18,129 in the county, with a population density of . There were 8,999 housing units, of which 7,599 were occupied.-2000 census:...
, of Norwegian
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
ancestry, but moved to Houston County, Minnesota
Houston County, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 19,718 people, 7,633 households, and 5,411 families residing in the county. The population density was 35 people per square mile . There were 8,168 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile...
with his family. After moving to the Dakota Territory
Dakota Territory
The Territory of Dakota was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 2, 1861, until November 2, 1889, when the final extent of the reduced territory was split and admitted to the Union as the states of North and South Dakota.The Dakota Territory consisted of...
in 1879 and several minor careers he landed himself in the field of politics. He was elected to the Dakota Territorial House of Representatives in 1889. He was elected to the 59th United States Congress as a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
in 1911 to replace Martin N. Johnson
Martin N. Johnson
Martin Nelson Johnson was a North Dakota politician who served as a United States Representative and Senator from North Dakota.-Biography:...
, who had died in office. Gronna was re-elected in 1914 and served through the 60th and 61st Congresses as well finally leaving on March 4, 1921 after an unsuccessful 1920 campaign
United States Senate election, 1920
The United States Senate elections of 1920 were elections for the United States Senate which coincided with the election of Warren G. Harding as President. Democrat Woodrow Wilson's unpopularity allowed Republicans to win races across the country, winning ten seats from the Democrats and cementing...
.
He died on May 4, 1922 and is buried in the Lakota Cemetery.
Other sources
- Phillips, William W. The Life of Asle J. Gronna (Ph.D. dissertation, University of Missouri, 1958)
- Schlup, Leonard. North Dakota Senator Asle J. Gronna and the Isolationists, 1915-1920 (North Dakota History 60: 13-21. Fall 1993)