William J. Green Jr.
American politician (1910–1963)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
William Joseph Green Jr. (March 5, 1910 – December 21, 1963) was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.
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William J. Green Jr. | |
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 5th district | |
| In office January 3, 1949 – December 21, 1963 | |
| Preceded by | George W. Sarbacher Jr. |
| Succeeded by | William J. Green III |
| In office January 3, 1945 – January 3, 1947 | |
| Preceded by | C. Frederick Pracht |
| Succeeded by | George W. Sarbacher Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 5, 1910 |
| Died | December 21, 1963 (aged 53) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Resting place | Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Mary Kelly |
| Children | 6, including William III |
| Relatives | Bill Green IV (grandson) |
| Alma mater | St. Joseph's College |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
Years of service | 1944 |
| Rank | Private |
Biography
William J. Green was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Irish immigrants.[1] He graduated from St. Joseph's Preparatory School, and attended St. Joseph's College in Philadelphia.[2] He was engaged in business as an insurance broker in Philadelphia in 1937. He served in the United States Army as a private in the Quartermaster Corps, and after being elected to Congress in 1944 was discharged from the army.[3]
After a defeat in the Republican landslide year of 1946, he was reelected to Congress in 1948 and every two years thereafter until his death at age 53. He was elected ward leader of the 33rd ward in the early 1940s,[4] and Democratic City Chairman in 1953, a role he used to help solidify Philadelphia as a Democratic stronghold.[3][5]
Green died of peritonitis and gall bladder complications in Philadelphia on December 21, 1963[6] and was interred at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania.[7] He was succeeded in Congress by his son, William J. Green III, who was 25 years old at the time of his first election, and later became Mayor of Philadelphia.
The William J. Green Jr. Federal Building, at 6th and Arch streets in Philadelphia, is named for him.[8]