John A. Urness

Urness was born in Urness Township, Minnesota on November 3, 1873, to Andrew Urness and Antonette Urness (née Jacobson).^[1][2] John's father had been involved in founding the township, which was named after the family.^[3]

Urness first ran for political office in 1918, in the Douglas County district in the Minnesota House of Representatives He was endorsed by the Nonpartisan League, which had begun making moves into Minnesota that year.^[4] He was elected by a 39-point margin against fellow farmer Gilbert J. Thompson.^[5]

In the opening session of the 1919–20 legislature, Urness was nominated as the Nonpartisan League candidate for Speaker of the House.^[6]

Urness was defeated for re-election in 1920 by fellow farmer Lewis E. Olson by a 13-point margin.^[7]

In 1933, Urness was elected president of the Douglas County Farm Holiday Association after a period of leadership struggle.^[3]