J. Ernest Wharton | |
---|---|
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives from New York | |
In office January 3, 1951 – January 3, 1965 | |
Preceded by | Jay Le Fevre |
Succeeded by | Joseph Y. Resnick |
Constituency |
30th district (1951–53) 29th district (1953–63) 28th district (1963–65) |
Personal details | |
Born | Binghamton, New York, U.S. | October 4, 1899
Died | January 19, 1990 Summit, New York, U.S. | (aged 90)
Resting place | Cobleskill Rural Cemetery, Cobleskill, New York |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Freda Boynton Marion Turner |
Children | 1 |
Parents |
|
Education | Albany Law School |
Profession | Attorney |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Army |
Years of service | 1918 |
Rank | Private |
Unit | Student Army Training Corps |
Battles/wars | World War I |
James Ernest Wharton (October 4, 1899 – January 19, 1990) was an American attorney and politician. A Republican, he served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from New York from 1951 to 1965.
James Ernest Wharton was born in Binghamton, New York on October 4, 1899 [1] to James H. Wharton and Mae Dibble. [2] He attended the public schools of Richmondville and graduated from Richmondville High School. [3] After his high school graduation, Wharton attended Albany Law School. [4]
During World War I, Wharton joined the Student Army Training Corps. [5] He enlisted as a private in October 1918, and was discharged in December, following the Armistice of 11 November 1918 that ended the war. [5] Wharton then completed his studies at Albany Law School, from which he graduated in 1919. [6]
Wharton worked for Travelers Insurance from 1920 until 1929. [6] He attained admission to the bar in 1923 and commenced a law practice in 1929. [3] [7] A Republican, Wharton was the district attorney of Schoharie County, New York from 1932 until 1941. [6] From 1941 to 1951, he served as the county's surrogate, family, and county court judge. [3]
He was elected to the U.S. House in 1950 and served from January 3, 1951, until January 3, 1965. [7] In 1960, his Democratic opponent was Gore Vidal, whom Wharton defeated to win a fifth term. [6] In 1964, he was defeated for reelection by Democrat Joseph Y. Resnick. [8] After leaving Congress, Wharton resumed the practice of law and became involved in real estate development. [7]
Wharton voted in favor of the Civil Rights Acts of 1957, [9] 1960, [10] and 1964, [11] as well as the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. [12]
He died in Summit, New York on January 19, 1990. [6] He was buried at Cobleskill Rural Cemetery in Cobleskill.
Wharton was first married to Freda Boynton (1899-1979). [13] They divorced and he married Marion Turner (1913-2006). [6] With his first wife, Wharton was the father of a daughter, Beverly Wharton Radez. [6] [13]