James H. Torrens
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James H. Torrens was an influential New York Tammany Hall figure in the first half of the 20th century. Torrens served as Tammany/Democratic leader of New York's Twenty-First congressional district (today's 15th congressonal district, incorporating Washington Heights and parts of Harlem and the Bronx), 1933-1947. In a special vote held February 29, 1944, Torrens achieved election to the Seventy-eighth Congress as the Democrat/American Labor Party Candidate from the 21st, filling the vacancy caused by the resignation of Joseph A. Gavagan (Democrat). Subsequently, Torrens won reelection to the Seventy-ninth Congress, serving until January 3, 1947. Torrens did not run again in 1946. Born in New York City on September 12, 1874, Torrens attended grammar and high schools in that town. Along with his political activities, Torrens was also for many years the vice president and treasurer of the D. Emil Klein Company, cigar manufacturers, where he was affiliated until 1933. Torrens died at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, New York City, on April 5, 1952. He is buried at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY. Torrens was succeeded in the House of Representatives by Jacob Javits, Republian. Torrens is a great-uncle to the writer Edward Renehan.
