Representative Conrad George Selvig

Conrad George Selvig (October 11, 1877 – August 2, 1953) was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives who served as a Representative from Minnesota in the United States Congress from 1927 to 1933. His three terms in office placed him in the midst of a significant period in American history, during which he participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of his constituents in the House of Representatives.

Selvig was born on October 11, 1877. Details of his early life and family background are not extensively documented in the available sources, but his later professional activities indicate that he developed a strong connection to agriculture and education, fields that would shape much of his public career. His formative years occurred during a time of rapid development in the Upper Midwest, and this environment likely influenced his later focus on rural and agricultural concerns.

In his early adulthood, Selvig became associated with agricultural education in Minnesota. He was connected with the Northwest School of Agriculture, an institution that served as an important regional center for agricultural training and outreach. Through this work, he gained experience in both administration and public service, building a reputation as an advocate for farmers and rural communities. His role at the Northwest School of Agriculture helped establish him as a community leader and provided a platform from which he entered electoral politics.

Selvig’s political career reached its peak with his election to the United States House of Representatives as a member of the Republican Party. He was first elected to Congress in 1926 and took office on March 4, 1927, serving continuously until March 3, 1933. During these three terms, he contributed to the legislative process at a time when the nation was grappling first with the prosperity of the late 1920s and then with the onset of the Great Depression following the stock market crash of 1929. As a member of the House, Selvig participated in debates and votes on national economic policy, agricultural issues, and other matters of concern to his Minnesota constituents, reflecting the priorities of a largely rural district.

Throughout his congressional service, Selvig worked within the framework of the Republican Party, which during this era was deeply engaged in questions of federal economic policy, tariff legislation, and the appropriate role of government in responding to economic crisis. His background in agricultural education and administration informed his approach to legislation affecting farmers, rural infrastructure, and land-grant and extension programs. While specific committee assignments and individual bills associated with his name are not detailed in the surviving summary, his tenure coincided with major federal efforts to address farm prices, credit conditions, and rural hardship.

After leaving Congress in 1933, following three consecutive terms, Selvig returned to private life and to the regional and professional circles that had shaped his earlier career. He remained identified with the causes of education and agriculture in Minnesota and retained the respect of his former constituents and colleagues for his years of public service. His post-congressional years were spent away from national office, but his experience in Washington and his earlier work at the Northwest School of Agriculture continued to mark his legacy in the state.

Conrad George Selvig died on August 2, 1953. His life and career spanned a transformative period in American history, from the late nineteenth century through the Great Depression and into the post–World War II era. Remembered as a Republican representative who served Minnesota in the United States Congress from 1927 to 1933, he left a record of participation in the legislative process during a time of profound economic and social change, and his association with agricultural education underscored his enduring commitment to the rural communities he represented.