George S. Williams

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 byWilliam F. Allen
Succeeded byPhilip A. Traynor
Treasurer of Delaware
In office
January 15, 1929 – January 15, 1933
GovernorC. Douglass Buck
Mayor of Millsboro
In office
1921–1927
Personal details
Born(1877-10-21)October 21, 1877
Ocean View, Delaware, U.S.
DiedNovember 22, 1961(1961-11-22) (aged 84)
Millsboro, Delaware, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Residence(s)Millsboro, Delaware
Alma materDickinson College
OccupationManager

George Short Williams (October 21, 1877 – November 22, 1961) was an American office administrator and politician from Millsboro in Sussex County, Delaware. A member of the Republican Party, Williams served as U.S. Representative from Delaware and Treasurer of Delaware.

Early life and family

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.[1][2] He married Helen Mary Heinzer and they had three children together.[3]

Professional and political career

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.[1][2]

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 from January 3, 1939, until January 3, 1941, during the second administration of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, but lost his bid for a second term in 1940 to Democrat Philip A. Traynor.[1][2]

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.[2]

Death

Williams died at Millsboro, Delaware. He is buried in the Union Cemetery at Georgetown, Delaware, located at South Race Street.[1][3]

Electoral history

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
1938 United States House of Representatives election in Delaware
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican George S. Williams 60,661 56%
Democratic William F. Allen (incumbent) 46,989 43%
Republican William J. Highfield 816 0.07%
Progressive Ralph L. Brown 105 0.01%
Total votes 108,571 100%
Republican gain from Democratic
1940 United States House of Representatives election in Delaware
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Philip A. Traynor 68,205 51%
Republican George S. Williams (incumbent) 64,384 48%
Independent Royden C. Caulk 816 0.06%
Total votes 133,405 100%
Democratic gain from Republican

References

  1. ^ a b c d "The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Williams, G to I". politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d "Williams, George Short". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Representatives, Delaware United States". www.russpickett.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024.

Further reading

  • 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.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Delaware's at-large congressional district

1939–1941
Succeeded by