Harris Ellsworth

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Mathew Harris Ellsworth (September 17, 1899 - February 7, 1986) was a Republican U.S. congressman from Oregon.

Contents 1 Early life 2 Political career 3 After Congress 4 External links 5 References

[edit] Early life

Born in Hoquiam, Washington, Ellsworth moved with his parents to Eugene, Oregon and later to nearby Wendling, where he attended public schools. In 1922, he graduated with a journalism degree from the University of Oregon. He worked in the newspaper and lumber industries in the 1920s, and was an associate professor of journalism at the University of Oregon in 1928 and 1929. While serving as manager of the Oregon Newspaper Association, in 1929, he purchased an interest in The Roseburg News-Review, eventually becoming its editor and publisher. Ellsworth helped to bring a Veteran's Administration hospital to Roseburg, which provided construction jobs to the area hard-hit by the Great Depression. In 1936, he was instrumental in bringing KRNR radio on the air, one of Oregon's first radio stations based outside of Portland.^[1]

[edit] Political career

In 1941, Ellsworth was appointed to the Oregon State Senate. In 1942, Ellsworth was elected to the United States House of Representatives, representing Oregon's 4th congressional district, which had just been established after the 1940 census. He served seven terms, and sat on the House Appropriations Committee and House Rules Committee. In the 1956 election, he was narrowly defeated by Democrat Charles O. Porter, whom Ellsworth had defeated two years earlier.

After losing the election, Ellsworth was appointed by President Eisenhower to a two-year term as chairman of the United States Civil Service Commission.

[edit] After Congress

Ellsworth left politics and resumed his newspaper business and became a real estate broker. He retired to Albuquerque, New Mexico in the 1970s, where he lived until his death on February 7, 1986.

[edit] External links

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Harris Ellsworth Memorial at Find A Grave

[edit] References

This article incorporates material from the public domain Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

Preceded by none (district created by 1940 census)

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon's 4th congressional district 1943-1957

Succeeded by Charles O. Porter