Gronna
ASLE J., an American public official; born at Elkader, Clayton co., Iowa, in 1858; raised on a farm, he received his education in the schools of Houston co., Minn., and at Caledonia Academy. In 1879 he went to South Dakota, became a banker and acquired wide agricultural interests. He was a member of the Territorial Legislature in 1889 and later served in the House of Representatives in the 59th, 60th, and 61st Congresses. Elected United States Senator in 1911 for the unexpired term of Martin N. Johnson, he was re-elected to the Senate for the full term in 1915.
During his service in the Senate he allied himself with the progressive group of Republican Senators and in 1917 became one of the most determined opponents of the entrance of the United GROSVENOR States in the World War, as well as of other policies of President Wilson.
He was a regent of the University of North Dakota.