Anton J. Rockne

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 byLawrence H. Johnson
Succeeded byHoward H. Dunn
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
In office
1903–1911
Member of the Minnesota Senate
In office
1911–1947
Personal details
Born(1868-12-19)December 19, 1868(?)
Harmony, Minnesota
DiedMay 2, 1950(1950-05-02) (aged 81)
Political partyRepublican
Nonpartisan (Conservative Caucus)
Spouse(s)Susie Albertson
ChildrenMelroy, Elnor, Ariel
ResidenceZumbrota, Minnesota
Alma materUniversity of Minnesota
ProfessionLawyer

Background
Rockne in 1913

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 powerful finance committee for from 1915 to 1947. 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]

References
  1. Rockne, Anton Julius "A.J.", Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, Accessed November 28, 2010.
  2. "Length of Service - Current House Members". leg.state.mn.us/lrl/. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  3. A Voice of Protest: Norwegians in American Politics, 1890–1917 (Jon M. Wefald. Northfield, Norwegian-American Historical Association, 1971)
  4. Avisen, v. 13, no. 1, May 2005

Other sources
  • Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn History of Goodhue County, Minnesota (Chicago: H.C. Cooper, Jr. & Co. 1910)
Political offices
Preceded by
Lawrence H. Johnson		 Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives
1909–1911		 Succeeded by
Howard H. Dunn


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