Henry M. Arens

Henry Martin Arens was a German-American farmer and politician from Minnesota who served in several public offices, including as lieutenant governor and U.S. Representative.

Early life

Arens was born as Heinrich Martin Arens in Bausenrode near Fretter in the Kingdom of Prussia, today part of the municipality of Finnentrop, Westphalia, Germany. He migrated to the United States in November 1889 and was a farmer near Jordan, Minnesota.

Political career

His first public office was as a member of the board of aldermen for Jordan from 1905 to 1913. He was a member of the Minnesota [House of Representatives] from 1919 to 1922 and in the state senate from 1923 to 1930.
In 1930, he was elected the List of [Lieutenant Governors of Minnesota|26th Lieutenant Governor] of Minnesota and served one two-year term. In 1932 he was elected to the 73rd [United States Congress|73rd congress] as a member of the Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party. He served only one term, from March 4, 1933, to January 3, 1935, the start of the United [States Constitution/Amendment Twenty|20th Amendment]. He was defeated for re-election in 1934 by Elmer Ryan, after which he commented that he was convinced "that politics is not worthwhile and that never again will I ask favors of the electorate." In 1936 he attempted to retake his seat and was again defeated by Ryan.