 In 1886, he moved to Minnesota.He was engaged in newspaper work at Pine City, Minnesota, Pine County, Minnesota; served as United States marshal for the district of Minnesota in 1894 during the great railway strike; spoke at the first annual dinner of the Associated Press in New York; elected as a Republican to the 58th, 59th, and 60th congresses, (March 4, 1903 – March 3, 1909); unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1908 to the 61st congress; returned to Pine City; engaged as a publisher and lecturer; moved to Duluth, Minnesota, in 1927 and engaged in his former pursuits; also was interested in the St. Lawrence inland waterway project; Bede also served in the Minnesota House of Representatives, in 1931-1932, from St. Louis County, Minnesota; 
Bede was noted for his humor and speaking style.In an April 28, 1912 article titled "How humor Enlivens the Solemn Work of Congress" the New York Times reported