Minnesota Historical Society | Page 50

Henrik Shipstead delivering a speech

Shipstead delivering a speech, ca. 1925.

Official senatorial portrait of Henrik Shipstead

Official portrait of Senator Shipstead, ca. 1925.

Shipstead, Henrik (1881‒1960)

Henrik Shipstead forged an independent path through Minnesota politics as a mayor, state representative, gubernatorial candidate, and four-term US senator. Serious yet personable, he opposed big business and was one of the staunchest non-interventionists in Senate history, vigorously criticizing American militarism as well as entry into the League of Nations, World Court, and United Nations.

America First Association

The expression “America First” has been used by numerous American organizations and movements since at least 1914. Most of them opposed US involvement in foreign conflicts. The Minnesota-based America First Association (AFA) was an exception in that it was formed to support the United States’ entry into World War I.

Great Northern Railways Veterans’ Association badge

Great Northern Railways Veterans’ Association badge, ca. 1913–1916.

Great Northern Railway Veterans’ Association pin

Great Northern Railway Veterans’ Association pin, ca. 1913–1940.

Great Northern Railway Veterans’ Association button

Great Northern Railway Veterans’ Association pin, ca. 1913–1940.

Officers of the Veterans’ Association of the Great Northern Railway

Officers of the Veterans’ Association of the Great Northern Railway in 1913. Association of the Great Northern Railway, 1908‒1914 (Minnesota: The Association, [1914?]).

James J. Hill with members of the Great Northern Railway Veterans’ Association

James J. Hill, Mary T. Hill, James J. Hill II (Jerome), Cortland Hill, and members of the Great Northern Railway Veterans’ Association with seventy-five roses presented to Hill in Glacier Park, Montana, on May 29, 1913--his seventy-fifth birthday. William John McMillan Sr, president of the association, is at the left, holding his hat. From the Louis W. Hill papers, Manuscripts Collection, Minnesota Historical Society.

James J. Hill's seventy-fifth-birthday dinner

James J. Hill's seventy-fifth-birthday, Glacier Park, Montana, 1913. The dinner was attended by members of the Great Northern Railway Veterans Association. From the Louis W. Hill papers, Manuscripts Collection, Minnesota Historical Society. Photograph by Brown Photography Studio.

Gale Family Library