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Slen, Theodor S. "Theodore"

House 1935-40 (District 24)

Party when first elected:  Nonpartisan Election-Liberal Caucus

Counties Served:  Lac Qui Parle

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 10/15/1885
Birth Place: Delavan, Minnesota
Birth County: Faribault
Birth Country: United States
Date of Death: 7/4/1986
Gender: Male
Religion: Lutheran
Reported Minority: None Reported
Other Names: Theodore
City of Residence (when first elected): Madison
Occupation (when first elected): Practicing Law/Formerly Taught School, Country Schools

EDUCATION

Boyd High School; Secondary;
Madison Lutheran Normal School; College Graduate; 1906
St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota; B.A.; 1912
University of Minnesota, Law School; Law Degree; 1915; Admitted to the Bar, 1915

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

Military: Minnesota National Guard, Company M, 135th Infantry and United States 28th Army Infantry, 1st Division (Mexican Border and World War I; Wounded in Cantigny, France, May 28, 1918; Purple Heart, Silver Star, and French Croix-de-Guerre Recipient, Captain); 1916 to 191?
Judge: Madison, Minnesota (Judge of Probate); 1920 to 1922 [Appointed]
County Attorney: Lac Qui Parle County, Minnesota; 1922 to 1928 [Elected]
Municipal Attorney: Madison, Minnesota (City Attorney); 1930 to 19??
Judge: Madison, Minnesota (Judge of Probate, Juvenile Judge, and Municipal Judge); 194? to 19??

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Lyla Isaacson (married in 1921)
Children: Five children: Rolf and Mark (sons), Solveig, Alvhild, and Elisabeth (daughters)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

Toensing and the Minnesota Journal of the House, 1935 list his first name as Theodore. The Minnesota Journal of the House, 1937 and 1939, and his obituary list his first name as Theodor.

He moved to a farm near Boyd, Minnesota in 1898.

He "played a key role in the merger of the Democratic and Farmer-Labor parties..." (Obituary, St. Paul Pioneer Press, July 10, 1986)

"In the legislature he was an independent who worked closely with the Farmer-Labor Party on most issues. (Obituary, Minneapolis Star and Tribune, July 9, 1986)

He ran unsuccessfully as the Democratic party endorsed candidate for Minnesota Governor in the 1940 primary election.

The largest city park in Madison, Minnesota was named after him.

He died of pneumonia at Madison Lutheran Home in Minnesota. His funeral was held at Faith Lutheran Church in Madison, Minnesota.

He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Madison, Minnesota.

Religion provided by his obituary.

Total Days Served: 2191

SESSIONS SERVED

51st Legislative Session (1939-1940)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 24
Elected: 11/8/1938
Residence: Madison
Term of Office: 1/3/1939 to 1/6/1941
Counties Represented: Lac Qui Parle
Occupation: Lawyer
Party: Nonpartisan Election-Liberal Caucus Party Notes: He "played a key role in the merger of the Democratic and Farmer-Labor parties..." (Obituary, St. Paul Pioneer Press, July 10, 1986); "In the legislature he was an independent who worked closely with the Farmer-Labor Party on most issues. (Obituary, Minneapolis Star and Tribune, July 9, 1986)
Committees:
  • Appropriations
  • Claims
  • Commercial Transportation
  • Judiciary
  • Liquor Control

50th Legislative Session (1937-1938)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 24
Elected: 11/3/1936
Residence: Madison
Term of Office: 1/5/1937 to 1/2/1939
Counties Represented: Lac Qui Parle
Occupation: Lawyer
Party: Nonpartisan Election-Liberal Caucus Party Notes: He "played a key role in the merger of the Democratic and Farmer-Labor parties..." (Obituary, St. Paul Pioneer Press, July 10, 1986); "In the legislature he was an independent who worked closely with the Farmer-Labor Party on most issues. (Obituary, Minneapolis Star and Tribune, July 9, 1986)
Committees:
  • Appropriations
  • Crime Prevention
  • Emergency Relief
  • Judiciary (Chair)
  • Public Health and Hospitals
  • Reforestation
  • Taxes and Tax Laws
  • Workmens Compensation

49th Legislative Session (1935-1936)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 24
Elected: 11/6/1934
Residence: Madison
Term of Office: 1/8/1935 to 1/4/1937
Counties Represented: Lac Qui Parle
Occupation: Practicing Law/Formerly Taught School, Country Schools
Party: Nonpartisan Election-Liberal Caucus Party Notes: He "played a key role in the merger of the Democratic and Farmer-Labor parties..." (Obituary, St. Paul Pioneer Press, July 10, 1986); "In the legislature he was an independent who worked closely with the Farmer-Labor Party on most issues. (Obituary, Minneapolis Star and Tribune, July 9, 1986)
Committees:
  • Claims
  • Dairy Products and Live Stock
  • Emergency Relief
  • General Legislation
  • Judiciary
  • Public Welfare
  • State Prison
  • Workmens Compensation
Articles & Books About
Brown, Curt. "Theodor Slen Helped Bring Democrats, Farmer-Labor together in 1944." Star Tribune, December 9, 2018.

"DFL Merger Figure T. Slen Dies (Obituary)." St. Paul Pioneer Press, July 10, 1986.

"Theodor Slen Dies; Key Figure in Start of DFL (Obituary)." Minneapolis Star and Tribune, July 9, 1986.

"Slen Recognized by State." Madison Western Guard, June 10, 1985.


These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.