Märt Sõrra

PR Saaga EAA.1254.2.38:22?336,216,2069,429,0

MÄRT SÕRRA

Agronomist, teacher, born on 14 February 1872 in Laeva municipality in Tartu County, died on 22 June 1948 in Tähtvere municipality in Tartu County. Member of the 6th Riigikogu (Riigivolikogu or Chamber of Deputies). Was born in Laeva municipality in Tartu County as the son of a farmer. In 1922 married Alma Raud. They had sons Jaan and Jüri, and daughter Mari.

Märt Sõrra studied at Kärevere basic school and the school of the Orthodox St George’s parish in Tartu. After finishing school, Sõrra returned to his father’s farm and helped to manage the farm. Having stayed at home for some time, he became an independent farmer, renting a farm in Raadi municipality, where he also actively participated in local life and was elected the assistant of the municipality elder. Had a conflict with the Russian and Baltic authorities and had to leave Estonia in 1904. In Russia, became a student of Bystretsov Agricultural School, but in 1905 returned to Estonia and participated in the revolutionary movement of 1905. In 1906 Sõrra had to flee to Russia because the field court of a punitive squad had sentenced him to death. Stayed in Bystretsov Agricultural School until 1907, then the political conflicts Sõrra had had in Estonia became known at the school, and he had to leave the school in 1907, and did not obtain a graduation certificate because of his lack of political loyalty. After leaving school Sõrra worked as a steward at Vrevski Manor on Pskov Governorate. In 1910, he was arrested in Russia and was sentenced to imprisonment of one year by the court in Riga. He served the sentence in St Petersburg in solitary confinement. Finished the higher agricultural courses in St Petersburg in 1915 and worked as an agronomist of Gdov Zemstvo in St Petersburg Governorate. Participated in World War I as a provisions officer on the South-Western Front. In 1919 returned to Estonia, first worked as an agronomist at Tartu Farmers' Society, and since October 1919 as head of Vahi Agricultural Schools until 1937. In 1923 Sõrra became a student of agriculture at the University of Tartu, graduated in 1926. In 1927 acquired the profession of teacher, his instructor was Professor Põld. He also continued working as a farmer, in 1920–1926 was the manager of Vahi School Farm, and also the owner of two farms. Sõrra was an active member of several organisations and societies, like Tartu Estonian Farmers’ Society, Seed Grain Association, Varietal Improvement Society, Marsh Improvement Society, Agricultural Bank, Central Association of Farmers, Tartu Estonian Economic Society, and many others. Sõrra retired in 1937 and as a pensioner, kept his farm in Kärkna (Pruuli Farm).

He was a member of the Student Corporation Rotalia. Was awarded Order of the White Star, 4th Class. At the first elections to the Riigivolikogu (Chamber of Deputies) in February 1938 received 2329 votes in the 50th electoral district in Tartumaa as the representative of People’s Front, and was elected a member of the 6th Riigikogu (Chamber of Deputies). The term of authority of the 6th Riigikogu lasted from 7 April 1938 to 5 July 1940.

Sources: „Valitud ja valitsenud“, „Eesti riigi-, avaliku- ja kultuurielu tegelased 1918-1938“, newspapers published in Estonia before 1940.

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