Anton J. Rockne
American politician (died 1950)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Anton Julius "A.J." Rockne[1] (December 19, 1868 or 1869 – May 2, 1950) was a Minnesota Republican politician, and the longest-serving state senator in the history of Minnesota.[2]
Anton J. Rockne | |
|---|---|
Rockne in 1935 | |
| 29th Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives | |
| In office 1909–1911 | |
| Preceded by | Lawrence H. Johnson |
| Succeeded by | Howard H. Dunn |
| Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives | |
| In office 1903–1911 | |
| Member of the Minnesota Senate | |
| In office 1911–1947 | |
| Minnesota House Majority Leader | |
| In office 1905–1909 | |
| Preceded by | George W. Wilson |
| Succeeded by | Henry Rines |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 19, 1868(?) Harmony, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Died | May 2, 1950 (aged 81) |
| Party | Republican Nonpartisan (Conservative Caucus) |
| Spouse | Susie Albertson |
| Children | Melroy, Elnor, Ariel |
| Education | University of Minnesota |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Background
Rockne was born in Harmony, Minnesota, to Norwegian immigrant parents. Rockne graduated from Decorah Institute, in Decorah, Iowa. Rockne received a degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1894. He was admitted to the Bar on June 7, 1894, and practiced as an attorney.[3]
He was married to Susie Albertson on December 10, 1899, and had three children. Anton J. Rockne was a director and charter member of the Norwegian fraternal organization, Vosselag, at its founding in 1909.[4]
Career
He was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1902. In 1909 he was selected to serve as Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, a position he held for two years. In 1910, Rockne was elected to the Minnesota Senate. He would hold the seat for 36 years, longer than any senator in state history. Rockne served as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee from 1915 to 1947, with a dedicated commitment to fiscal responsibility. When Floyd B. Olson took the governor's office in 1931, during the Great Depression, Olson attempted to pass massive social programs, which Rockne vehemently opposed, and used his position in the Finance Committee to block as many bills as he could. He gained the nickname 'Watchdog of the Treasury' for his efforts. Olson and Rockne regularly traded insults and criticisms. In December 1933, Rockne lost much of his control over his committee and the senate when an Olson-backed relief bill passed, despite his opposition.
His 44 combined years of legislative service tie him with Carl M. Iverson for the greatest length of legislative service in state history until Lyndon Carlson passed it on January 3, 2017.[1]
