Thomas W. Harrison

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

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.

Source

• Thomas W. Harrison at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

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