Harold C. Ostertag Explained

Harold Charles Ostertag
Office:Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from New York
Constituency: (1951–53)
(1953–63)
(1963–65)
Term Start:January 3, 1951
Term End:January 3, 1965
Predecessor:James W. Wadsworth, Jr.
Office1:Member of the
New York State Assembly
from Wyoming County
Term Start1:January 1, 1932
Term End1:November 7, 1950
Preceded1:Joe R. Hanley
Succeeded1:Harold L. Peet
Birth Date:22 June 1896
Resting Place:Forest Hill Cemetery
Attica, New York, U.S.
Party:Republican Party
Spouse:Grace J. Ostertag
Profession:Railroad executive
Legislator
Branch:United States Army
Serviceyears:1917-1919
Battles:World War I
France
Unit:55th Pioneer Infantry, 27th Division
Rank:Second Lieutenant

Harold Charles Ostertag (June 22, 1896 – May 2, 1985) was an American politician, a United States Representative for the 41st, 39th, and 37th Congressional Districts of New York.

Life

Ostertag was born on June 22, 1896, in Attica, New York, attended the public schools, and graduated from Chamberlain Military Institute in Perry, New York in 1915. He worked for the New York Central Railroad from 1917 to 1950 and became assistant to the vice president of the traffic department.

During World War I, Ostertag enlisted in the New York Army National Guard's 74th Infantry Regiment. This organization was federalized as the 55th Pioneer Infantry Regiment, a unit of the 27th Division. Ostertag, who had attained the rank of Sergeant, completed officer training and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant while serving with the 55th in France. After the war, he was active in the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars and entered politics as a Republican.

Ostertag was a member of the New York State Assembly (Wyoming Co.) in 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939–40, 1941–42, 1943–44, 1945–46, 1947–48 and 1949–50.

He was elected as a Republican to the 82nd, 83rd, 84th, 85th, 86th, 87th and 88th United States Congresses, holding office from January 3, 1951, to January 3, 1965. He did not run for re-election in 1964. Ostertag voted in favor of the Civil Rights Acts of 1957,[1] 1960,[2] and 1964,[3] as well as the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.[4]

Ostertag was a delegate to the 1952, 1956 and 1960 Republican National Conventions.

Ostertag was a resident of Perry until he died in Pompano Beach, Florida, on May 2, 1985. He was interred at Forest Hill Cemetery in Attica.

Ostertag's wife Grace was Grand Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star and first vice president of the Congressional Club.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: HR 6127. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1957.. GovTrack.us.
  2. Web site: HR 8601. PASSAGE..
  3. Web site: H.R. 7152. PASSAGE..
  4. Web site: S.J. RES. 29. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO BAN THE USE OF POLL TAX AS A REQUIREMENT FOR VOTING IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS.. GovTrack.us.
  5. Book: Historical Wyoming, Volumes 10-12. 1956. Wyoming County Historian, 1956 - Wyoming County (N.Y.). 85. 24 June 2014.