Summary
George Short Williams (October 21, 1877 – November 22, 1961) was an American office administrator and politician from Millsboro in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Republican Party, who served as U.S. Representative from Delaware.
George S. Williams | |
|---|---|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Delaware's At-large district | |
| In office January 3, 1939 – January 3, 1941 | |
| Preceded by | William F. Allen |
| Succeeded by | Philip A. Traynor |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 21, 1877 Ocean View, Delaware, U.S. |
| Died | November 22, 1961 (aged 84) Millsboro, Delaware, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Residence(s) | Millsboro, Delaware |
| Alma mater | Dickinson College |
| Occupation | manager |
Early life and family edit
Williams was born in Ocean View, Delaware. He attended the public schools and Wilmington Conference Academy, in Dover, Delaware, and graduated from Dickinson College, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in 1900.
Professional and political career edit
Williams was a high school instructor in Ironwood, Michigan, from 1902 until 1904. He then became engaged in the lumber business in Delaware and North Carolina from 1905 until 1923. He was also interested in banking. Williams was Mayor of Millsboro, Delaware, from 1921 until 1927, Treasurer of the State of Delaware from 1929 until 1933, President of the State Board of Education from 1927 until 1934, and deputy Motor Vehicle Commissioner from 1935 until 1937. In 1940 he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention.
Williams was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1938, defeating incumbent Democrat U.S. Representative William F. Allen. He served in the Republican minority in the 76th Congress, and lost his bid for a second term in 1940 to Democrat, Philip A. Traynor. Williams served from January 3, 1939, until January 3, 1941, during the second administration of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Subsequently, he was the Delaware Motor Vehicle Commissioner from 1941 until 1946 and then was an administrative aide to U.S. Senator John J. Williams from 1947 until 1959.
Death and legacy edit
Williams died at Millsboro, Delaware. He is buried in the Union Cemetery at Georgetown, Delaware, located at South Race Street. Take Route 113 south to Route 9 east into Georgetown. Follow Route 9 through the roundabout in center of town, then go right on South Race Street. Union Cemetery is at dead end.
Almanac edit
Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. The State Treasurer takes office the third Tuesday of January for a two-year term. U.S. Representatives take office January 3 and also have a two-year term.
| + Public Offices | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office | Type | Location | Began office | Ended office | notes |
| Mayor | Executive | Millsboro | 1921 | 1923 | |
| Mayor | Executive | Millsboro | 1923 | 1925 | |
| Mayor | Executive | Millsboro | 1925 | 1927 | |
| State Treasurer | Executive | Dover | January 15, 1929 | January 15, 1931 | |
| State Treasurer | Executive | Dover | January 15, 1931 | January 15, 1933 | |
| U.S. Representative | Legislature | Washington | January 3, 1939 | January 3, 1941 |
| Dates | Congress | Chamber | Majority | President | Committees | Class/District |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939–1941 | 76th | U.S. House | Democratic | Franklin D. Roosevelt | at-large |
| Year | Office | Subject | Party | Votes | % | Opponent | Party | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | U.S. Representative | George S. Williams | Republican | 60,661 | 56% | William F. Allen | Democratic | 46,989 | 43% | ||
| 1940 | U.S. Representative | George S. Williams | Republican | 64,384 | 48% | Philip A. Traynor | Democratic | 68,205 | 51% |
References edit
- Carter, Richard B. (2001). Clearing New Ground, The Life of John G. Townsend, Jr. Wilmington, Delaware: The Delaware Heritage Press. ISBN 978-0-924117-20-6.
External links edit
- Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Delaware's Members of Congress
- The Political Graveyard
Places with more information edit
- Delaware Historical Society; website; 505 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801; (302) 655-7161
- University of Delaware; Library website; 181 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19717; (302) 831-2965
- Newark Free Library 750 Library Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 731–7550.