Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature
Skip Navigation Links
  • LRL Home
    • >
  • Legislators Past & Present
    • >
  • Member Record
    • Legislators Past & Present Home

    Wahlstrand, Harry Levine

    Sessions Served    Other Information

    House 1929-36 (District 25); Senate 1939-62 (District 25)

    Party when first elected:  Nonpartisan Election

    Counties Served:  Kandiyohi, Swift

    BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

    Date of Birth: 3/24/1890
    Birth Place: Fahlun Township, Minnesota
    Birth County: Kandiyohi
    Birth Country: United States
    Date of Death: 2/21/1962
    Gender: Male
    Religion: Lutheran
    Reported Minority: None Reported
    Other Names:
    City of Residence (when first elected): Willmar
    Occupation (when first elected): History and Social Science Teacher, Willmar High School; Former Teacher, Gustavus Commercial Department and Taylors Falls High School

    EDUCATION

    Minnesota Rural Grade Schools; Elementary School;
    University of Birmingham, England; Attended College;
    Northwestern College, Fergus Falls; Junior College/Community College; Academy Course, Graduate, 1913
    Gustavus Adolphus College; College Graduate; 1917

    OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

    Military: United States Army, 139th Infantry, 88th Division (World War I; Served Overseas, Verdun, St. Mihiel, and Argonne); 1918 to 19??
    State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota Statehood Centennial Commission (First Vice-Chair); 195? to 195? [Appointed]

    FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

    Spouse: Ruth
    Children: Three children: Myron and Owen (sons); Harriet (daughter)
    Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

    GENERAL NOTES

    He served as the Minnesota Director of the National Education Association.

    He was a member of the American Legion.

    He experienced a cerebral hemorrhage on October 2, 1960 which contributed to his death.

    His obituary reported that he was not able to participate in the 1961 regular and special sessions.

    He is buried at Bethel Cemetery in Willmar, Minnesota.

    He was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Willmar, Minnesota.

    Religion provided by the Journal of the Senate, April 3, 1963, p. 1008.

    Most recent term photo
    Click to view
    Total Days Served: 11690

    SESSIONS SERVED

    62nd Legislative Session (1961-1962) (second half of Senate term)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 25
    Elected: 11/4/1958
    Residence: Willmar
    Term of Office: 1/6/1959 to 1/7/1963
    Counties Represented: Kandiyohi, Swift
    Occupation: Former Teacher, History and Social Sciences, Willmar High School/Educational Director, The Minnesota Hospital Service Association
    Party: Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus
    Committees:
    • Civil Administration
    • Committees
    • Education
    • Liquor Control
    • Public Highways
    • Public Welfare (Chair)
    • Rules and Legislative Expense
    • Taxes and Tax Laws

    61st Legislative Session (1959-1960)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 25
    Elected: 11/4/1958
    Residence: Willmar
    Term of Office: 1/6/1959 to 1/7/1963
    Counties Represented: Kandiyohi, Swift
    Occupation: Former Teacher of History and Science, Willmar High School/Educational Director, Minnesota Hospital Service Association
    Party: Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus
    Committees:
    • Civil Administration
    • Committees
    • Education
    • Liquor Control
    • Public Highways
    • Public Welfare (Chair)
    • Rules and Legislative Expense
    • Taxes
    Leadership Position: President Pro Tempore

    60th Legislative Session (1957-1958) (second half of Senate term)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 25
    Elected: 11/2/1954
    Residence: Willmar
    Term of Office: 1/4/1955 to 1/5/1959
    Counties Represented: Kandiyohi, Swift
    Occupation: Former Teacher of History and Science, Willmar High School/Educational Director, Minnesota Hospital Service Association
    Party: Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus
    Committees:
    • Agriculture
    • Civil Administration
    • Committees
    • Education
    • Liquor Control
    • Public Health (Chair)
    • Public Highways
    • Soldiers Welfare and Soldiers Home
    • Taxes and Tax Laws
    term photo
    Click to view

    59th Legislative Session (1955-1956)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 25
    Elected: 11/2/1954
    Residence: Willmar
    Term of Office: 1/4/1955 to 1/5/1959
    Counties Represented: Kandiyohi, Swift
    Occupation: Former Teacher of History and Science, Willmar High School/Educational Director, Minnesota Hospital Service Association
    Party: Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus
    Committees:
    • Agriculture
    • Civil Administration
    • Committees
    • Education
    • Liquor Control
    • Public Health (Chair)
    • Public Highways
    • Soldiers Welfare and Soldiers Home
    • Taxes and Tax Laws

    58th Legislative Session (1953-1954) (second half of Senate term)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 25
    Elected: 11/7/1950
    Residence: Willmar
    Term of Office: 1/2/1951 to 1/3/1955
    Counties Represented: Kandiyohi, Swift
    Occupation: Former Teacher of History and Science, Willmar High School/Educational Director, Minnesota Hospital Service Association
    Party: Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus
    Committees:
    • Agriculture
    • Civil Administration
    • Civil Defense
    • Education
    • Liquor Control
    • Public Health (Chair)
    • Public Highways
    • Soldiers Welfare and Soldiers Home
    • Taxes and Tax Laws

    57th Legislative Session (1951-1952)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 25
    Elected: 11/7/1950
    Residence: Willmar
    Term of Office: 1/2/1951 to 1/3/1955
    Counties Represented: Kandiyohi, Swift
    Occupation: History and Social Science Teacher, Willmar High School
    Party: Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus
    Committees:
    • Agriculture
    • Civil Administration
    • Education
    • Liquor Control
    • Public Health (Chair)
    • Public Highways
    • Soldiers Welfare and Soldiers Home
    • Taxes and Tax Laws
    term photo
    Click to view

    56th Legislative Session (1949-1950) (second half of Senate term)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 25
    Elected: 11/5/1946
    Residence: Willmar
    Term of Office: 1/7/1947 to 1/1/1951
    Counties Represented: Kandiyohi, Swift
    Occupation: History and Social Science Teacher, Willmar High School
    Party: Nonpartisan Election
    Committees:
    • Agriculture
    • Civil Administration
    • Education
    • Liquor Control
    • Public Health (Chair)
    • Public Highways
    • Soldiers Welfare and Soldiers Home
    • Taxes and Tax Laws
    term photo
    Click to view

    55th Legislative Session (1947-1948)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 25
    Elected: 11/5/1946
    Residence: Willmar
    Term of Office: 1/7/1947 to 1/1/1951
    Counties Represented: Kandiyohi, Swift
    Occupation: History and Social Science Teacher, Willmar High School
    Party: Nonpartisan Election
    Committees:
    • Agriculture
    • Civil Administration
    • Education
    • Liquor Control
    • Public Health (Chair)
    • Public Highways
    • Soldiers Welfare and Soldiers Home
    • Taxes and Tax Laws

    54th Legislative Session (1945-1946) (second half of Senate term)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 25
    Elected: 11/3/1942
    Residence: Willmar
    Term of Office: 1/5/1943 to 1/6/1947
    Counties Represented: Kandiyohi, Swift
    Occupation: History and Social Science Teacher, Willmar High School
    Party: Nonpartisan Election
    Committees:
    • Agriculture
    • Civil Administration
    • Education
    • Liquor Control
    • Public Health (Chair)
    • Public Highways
    • Reforestation
    • Soldiers Welfare and Soldiers Home
    term photo
    Click to view

    53rd Legislative Session (1943-1944)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 25
    Elected: 11/3/1942
    Residence: Willmar
    Term of Office: 1/5/1943 to 1/6/1947
    Counties Represented: Kandiyohi, Swift
    Occupation: History and Social Science Teacher, Willmar High School
    Party: Nonpartisan Election
    Committees:
    • Agriculture
    • Civil Administration
    • Education
    • Liquor Control
    • Public Domain (Chair)
    • Public Health
    • Public Highways
    • Reforestation
    • Soldiers Welfare and Soldiers Home
    term photo
    Click to view

    52nd Legislative Session (1941-1942) (second half of Senate term)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 25
    Elected: 11/8/1938
    Residence: Willmar
    Term of Office: 1/3/1939 to 1/4/1943
    Counties Represented: Kandiyohi, Swift
    Occupation: History and Social Science Teacher, Willmar High School
    Party: Nonpartisan Election
    Committees:
    • Agriculture
    • Civil Administration
    • Education
    • Public Health
    • Public Highways
    • Reforestation
    • Soldiers Bonus and Soldiers Home
    • University
    term photo
    Click to view

    51st Legislative Session (1939-1940)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 25
    Elected: 11/8/1938
    Residence: Willmar
    Term of Office: 1/3/1939 to 1/4/1943
    Counties Represented: Kandiyohi, Swift
    Occupation: History and Social Science Teacher, Willmar High School
    Party: Nonpartisan Election
    Committees:
    • Agriculture
    • Civil Administration
    • Education
    • Public Health
    • Public Highways
    • Reforestation
    • Soldiers Bonus and Soldiers Home
    • University
    term photo
    Click to view

    49th Legislative Session (1935-1936)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 25
    Elected: 11/6/1934
    Residence: Willmar
    Term of Office: 1/8/1935 to 1/4/1937
    Counties Represented: Kandiyohi
    Occupation: History and Social Science Teacher, Willmar High School
    Party: Nonpartisan Election
    Committees:
    • Appropriations
    • Civil Administration
    • Crime Prevention
    • Education (Chair)
    • Public Welfare
    • Taxes and Tax Laws
    • Temperance and Liquor Control
    • University and State Schools
    term photo
    Click to view

    48th Legislative Session (1933-1934)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 25
    Elected: 11/8/1932
    Residence: Willmar
    Term of Office: 1/3/1933 to 1/7/1935
    Counties Represented: Kandiyohi
    Occupation: History and Social Science Teacher, Willmar High School
    Party: Nonpartisan Election
    Committees:
    • Civil Administration
    • Crime Prevention
    • Education (Chair)
    • Public Domain
    • Public Welfare and Social Legislation
    • Taxes and Tax Laws
    term photo
    Click to view

    47th Legislative Session (1931-1932)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 25
    Elected: 11/4/1930
    Residence: Willmar
    Term of Office: 1/6/1931 to 1/2/1933
    Counties Represented: Kandiyohi
    Occupation: History and Social Science Teacher, Willmar High School
    Party: Nonpartisan Election
    Committees:
    • Civil Administration
    • Crime Prevention
    • Education
    • Military Affairs
    • Public Welfare and Social Legislation
    • Soldiers Home, State Bonus and Ex-Service Men
    • Taxes and Tax Laws
    term photo
    Click to view

    46th Legislative Session (1929-1930)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 25
    Elected: 11/6/1928
    Residence: Willmar
    Term of Office: 1/8/1929 to 1/5/1931
    Counties Represented: Kandiyohi
    Occupation: History and Social Science Teacher, Willmar High School; Former Teacher, Gustavus Commercial Department and Taylors Falls High School
    Party: Nonpartisan Election
    Committees:
    • Crime Prevention
    • Education
    • Military Affairs
    • Municipal Affairs
    • Public Welfare and Social Legislation
    • Soldiers Home, State Bonus and Ex-Service Men

    OTHER INFORMATION

    Articles & Books About
    In Memoriam: Senators Alfred Berglund, Colvin G. Butler, Sherman W. Child, Leonard W. Dernek, H.C. Hanson, John A. Johnson, Charles Klein, Martin M. Malone, Nels A. Pederson, Herbert Rogers, et al. State of Minnesota Senate Chamber, April 3, 1963.

    Tribute to Harry Levine Wahlstrand, Minnesota Journal of the Senate, April 3, 1963, p. 1007-1008.

    "Harry Wahlstrand, State Senator, Dies." The Minneapolis Star, February 22, 1962, P. 68.


    These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.

    Legislators Past & Present Home