# William I. Nolan *Minnesota politician who served as lieutenant governor and in the U.S. House of Representatives* William Ignatius Nolan (May 14, 1874 – August 3, 1943) was a [[Minnesota]] politician. He sat in the state House of Representatives and was its speaker. He was the state's 24th lieutenant governor and later represented Minnesota in the United States House of Representatives.[^1] A native of [[Saint Paul, Minnesota]], Nolan served in the [[Minnesota National Guard]] from 1891 to 1896.[^1] His public career included legislative, executive and commission posts. He reached Congress as a Republican in an election held to fill a vacant seat.[^1] ## Early life and military service Nolan's birthplace was Saint Paul.[^1] His service in the state's National Guard ran from 1891 to 1896.[^1] ## Minnesota House of Representatives Nolan held a seat in the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]] for three periods: 1903–1907, 1911–1913, and 1917–1923.[^1] From 1919 to 1923 he was speaker of that chamber.[^1] When the 41st [[Minnesota Legislature]] convened, he won the speakership over [[John A. Urness]], the Nonpartisan League's candidate.[^1] ## Lieutenant governor From 1925 to 1929 Nolan held office as the 24th [[Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota]].[^1] In 1927 he also chaired the Minnesota Reforestation Commission.[^1] ## United States House of Representatives [[Walter Newton]] resigned his seat in the 71st Congress, and Nolan, running as a Republican, won the election to succeed him.[^1] Voters returned him to the 72nd Congress, and his House service lasted from July 17, 1929, until March 4, 1933.[^1] He lost his 1932 bid for a seat in the 73rd Congress. He then sought the nomination without success in 1934, 1936, and 1938.[^1] ## Later career and death Out of Congress, Nolan went back to work as a lecturer.[^1] In 1942 voters chose him as State railroad and warehouse commissioner. He held that post until he died in [[Winona, Minnesota]].[^1] His burial took place at [[Lakewood Cemetery]].[^1] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - William Ignatius Nolan, Minnesota politician; elected to Congress as a Republican.[^1] ### When - Born May 14, 1874; died August 3, 1943.[^1] - Minnesota National Guard, 1891–1896.[^1] - Minnesota House of Representatives, 1903–1907, 1911–1913, and 1917–1923; speaker, 1919–1923.[^1] - Lieutenant governor, 1925–1929; chairman, Minnesota Reforestation Commission, 1927.[^1] - U.S. House of Representatives, July 17, 1929 – March 4, 1933.[^1] - Elected State railroad and warehouse commissioner, 1942.[^1] ### Where - Born in Saint Paul; died in Winona; buried in Lakewood Cemetery.[^1] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *William I. Nolan* (revision 1370415298, retrieved 2026-10-25) — Nolan's birth, National Guard service, legislative, lieutenant-governor and congressional offices, later career, death and burial. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_I._Nolan