Thomas W. Harrison

Thomas Harrison
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 7th district
In office March 4, 1923 - March 3, 1929
Preceded by	John Paul
Succeeded by	Jacob A. Garber
In office November 7, 1916 - December 15, 1922
Preceded by	James Hay
Succeeded by	John Paul
Member of the Virginia Senate from Clarke, Frederick and Warren Counties
In office 1888–1895
Personal details
Born	(1856-08-05)August 5, 1856 Leesburg, Virginia
Died	May 9, 1935(1935-05-09) (aged 78) Winchester, Virginia
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	University of Virginia
Occupation	Lawyer, politician

Thomas Walter Harrison (August 5, 1856 – May 9, 1935) was a U.S. Representative from Virginia, father of Burr Powell Harrison.

Biography

Born in Leesburg, Virginia, Harrison attended local academies at Leesburg, Middleburg, and Hanover. He was graduated from the academic and law departments of the University of Virginia at Charlottesville in 1879. He was admitted to the bar in 1879 and commenced practice in Winchester, Virginia. He served as member of the Senate of Virginia during the period 1887-1894. He served as judge of the circuit court for the seventeenth judicial district of Virginia from 1895 until September 1, 1916. He was editor of the Winchester Times. He served as member of the State constitutional convention in 1901 and 1902.

Harrison was elected as a Democrat to the Sixty-fourth Congress from Virginia's 7th congressional district to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of James Hay. He was reelected to the Sixty-fifth and Sixty-sixth Congresses and served from November 7, 1916, to March 3, 1921. Presented credentials as a Member-elect to the Sixty-seventh Congress and served from March 4, 1921, to December 15, 1922, when he was succeeded by John Paul, Jr., who contested his election.

Harrison was elected to the Sixty-eighth, Sixty-ninth, and Seventieth Congresses (March 4, 1923 – March 3, 1929). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1928 to the Seventy-first Congress. Practiced law in Winchester, Virginia, until his death there on May 9, 1935. He was interred in Mount Hebron Cemetery.

Electoral history

• 1916; Harrison was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in a special election with 61.29% of the vote, defeating Republican John Paul and Independent E.C. Garrison. He was simultaneously elected in the general election unopposed.
• 1918; Harrison was re-elected with 88.99% of the vote, defeating Republican Paul.
• 1920; Harrison was re-elected over Republican Paul, however, Paul contested the results of the election and was seated.
• 1922; Harrison was re-elected with 62.29% of the vote, defeating Republican Paul.
• 1924; Harrison was re-elected with 59.15% of the vote, defeating Republican J.H. Ruebush and fellow Democrat Dabney C. Harrison.
• 1926'; Harrison was re-elected with 64.92% of the vote, defeating Republican Walter R. Talbot and now-Independent Dabney C. Harrison.
• 1928; Harrison lost his re-election bid.

Sources

• United States Congress. "Thomas W. Harrison (id: H000277)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. 

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.