Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-04-10
READY TO BEGIN
FOURTH TERM WHEN
HE WAS STRICKEN
Served State as Commission
er of Agriculture and
Labor. -
MADE FINE RECORD
IN u. S. CONGRESS
Supported Administration
on Many Measures, But
Was Against War.

~ AA~Ao SS Pc
Representative Henry I.
Helgesen of North Dakota,
republican, and member of
congress since 1911, died
here today.
! He recently underwent am
operation for appendicitis.
Representative Helgesen was just
about to begin his fourth term in con-
pendicitis. He was rem owed to q
Washington hospital tha day before
congress convened in extra session
and his forced withdrawal deprived
the Republicans of much needed sup
port to gain control of the house.
He was elected to congress in 1910
and began his first term in 1911. He
was reelected in 1912, 1914 and 1916.
During the Wilson administration he
was found fighting in the Democratic
ranks on many measures, but he
fought against the administration on
the tariff question, the war tax and
the ship purchase measure and vot-
ed for the literacy test for immigrants.
Recently Representative Helgesen,
to considerable prominence by his ac-
tivities against all war measures He
voted against giving President Will
son authority to arm American mer-
chant ships and. just before the extra
| session convened, announced that he
would vote against 'sar measures.
~. tTrsHlrported the aa7ntnistrattNssto on >
the eii?erg gency currency bill, che child
labor law, the child labor bureau law.
the antitrust measures, the Panama
canal toll bill and for civil service
for postmasters.
Mr.. Helgesen is survived by three
sons, Herbert Helgesen of Milton, Ell
Raymond Helgesen Of Washington, D.
c.. and three daughters. Mrs. w. F.
Doherty, Minot N: d.. and Misses
Lilly. Gladys and Frances OF Wash
i ington. D. c.
| Henry T. Helgesen was born at De-
corah. Iowa, June 26. 1857. His first
business venture was in the grocery
came to North Dakota, settling first
at Park River. and removing to Mil
ton two years later where he engaged
for time in the hardware and lum-
ber business. later selling out and
taking up farming.
He prospered at this, and at the
time of his death was the owner Of
1900 acres of land.
Mr.. Helgesen first became promi-
nent in politics in 1887 when he en-
gagged in battle with the so-called
Republican machine in Cavalier
county.
At the first state election in 1889
he became affiliated with the Pro-
gressive element in the Republican
party. and was elected commissioner
OF agriculture. He was reelected to
this Office two years later but declin-
ed third term.
Following his retireme, : from Of
flee Mr. Helgesen continue4 to take
an active part in politics. He was
named as one Of the regents of the
state university in 1928. and served as
mayor Of Milton. He was one Of tho
chief speakers Of the Republican par
ty in the state.
He first entered the wider political
arena in 1905. when he was candi-
date for congressman at large. He was
defeated. but two years later in 1910,
he again made the race and was
elected.
The redistricting of the state fol-
lowed, and in 1912 on the retirement
Of l.. B. Hanna. who wished to be-
come a candidate for governor. Mr..
Helgesen was nominated on the Re-
publican ticket. He was elected and
was reelected by large majorities in
1914 and 1916