J. Ernest Wharton
American politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
29th district (1953–63)
28th district (1963–65)
J. Ernest Wharton | |
|---|---|
From 1963's Pocket Congressional Directory of the Eighty-Eighth Congress | |
| 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 | October 4, 1899 Binghamton, New York, U.S. |
| Died | January 19, 1990 (aged 90) Summit, New York, U.S. |
| Resting place | Cobleskill Rural Cemetery, Cobleskill, New York |
| 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 |
Biography
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]
