Preceded by William E. Purcell Role Political figure Preceded by Burleigh F. Spalding Party Republican Party | Political party Republican Succeeded by Edwin F. Ladd Name Asle Gronna | |
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Born December 10, 1858
Elkader, Iowa ( 1858-12-10 ) Died May 4, 1922, Lakota, North Dakota, United States | ||
Asle Jorgenson Gronna (December 10, 1858 – May 4, 1922) 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.
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Biography
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 United States Senator in 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.
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.
Personal life
He and his wife Bertha were the parents of James D. Gronna who served as Secretary of State of North Dakota. Asle Gronna died on May 4, 1922, and was buried in the Lakota Cemetery.