William J. Harris
William Julius Harris | |
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United States Senator fromGeorgia | |
In office March 4, 1919 – April 18, 1932 | |
Preceded by | Thomas W. Hardwick |
Succeeded by | John S. Cohen |
Personal details | |
Born | William Julius Harris February 3, 1868 Cedartown,Georgia |
Died | April 18, 1932 Washington, D.C. | (aged 64)
Political party | Democratic |
Education | University of Georgia |
William Julius Harris(February 3, 1868 – April 18, 1932) was aUnited States senatorfrom the state ofGeorgia.He was a great-grandson ofCharles Hooks,who had been aRepresentativefromNorth Carolina,and son-in-law ofJoseph Wheeler,ConfederateGeneral and Representative fromAlabama.
Early life
[edit]Harris was born inCedartowninPolk County,Georgia,and attended the common schools. He graduated from theUniversity of GeorgiaatAthensin 1890.
He married Julia Knox Hull Wheeler (November 27, 1870 - January 6, 1959), daughter ofJoseph Wheeler.
Career
[edit]He engaged in the generalinsurancebusiness and banking at Cedartown, Georgia. He served as private secretary to U.S. SenatorAlexander S. Clayfrom 1904 to 1909.
Entering politics, Harris was elected as a Democrat to theGeorgia Senatein 1911 and 1912. From 1913 to 1915 he served as appointed Director of theUnited States Census Bureau;he also served as Acting Secretary of theDepartment of Commercefrom 1913 to 1915. In 1915 he resigned when he was appointed as a member of theFederal Trade Commission.
He was chairman of the FTC 1917-1918. In 1918, he was elected as aDemocratto the US Senate, and reelected in 1924 and 1930. He served in total from March 4, 1919 until his death. While in the Senate, Harris was a member of theNational Forest Reservation Commissionfrom 1929 to 1932.
He died of aheart attackinWashington, D.C.Funeral services were held in the Chamber of the United States Senate. His interment was in Greenwood Cemetery in Cedartown.
After Harris' death in 1932, thegovernor of Georgia,Richard Russell, Jr.,declared a special election for September of that year to fill the vacant seat. Russell declared his own candidacy and won the election to replace Harris.
Personal
[edit]Harris was the son of physician Dr. Charles Hooks Harris and his wife Margaret Ann (Monk) Harris. He had four brothers and five sisters. Among his brothers were U.S. Army Major GeneralPeter C. Harrisand Alabama physician Dr.Seale Harris.[1][2]
On July 28, 1905, Harris married Julia Knox Hull Wheeler inNew York City.Their daughter Julia Wheeler Harris was born in 1909.[1][2]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^abHarris, James Coffee (1911).The Personal and Family History of Charles Hooks and Margaret Monk Harris.J. C. Harris. pp. 9–10, 102–106.Retrieved2023-11-01.
- ^ab"Senator W. J. Harris Dies in Washington: Georgian Succumbs at 64 to Long Illness—Won Seat in 1918 Battle for Wilson"(PDF).The New York Times.April 19, 1932. p. 21.Retrieved2023-11-01.
- United States Congress."William J. Harris (id: H000259)".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
External links
[edit]Media related toWilliam Julius Harrisat Wikimedia Commons
- 1868 births
- 1932 deaths
- Directors of the United States Census Bureau
- Democratic Party Georgia (U.S. state) state senators
- University of Georgia alumni
- Democratic Party United States senators from Georgia (U.S. state)
- People from Cedartown, Georgia
- United States Census Bureau people
- State political party chairs of Georgia (U.S. state)
- Woodrow Wilson administration personnel