| J. Ernest Wharton | |
| State: | New York |
| Constituency: | (1951–53) (1953–63) (1963–65) |
| Term Start: | January 3, 1951 |
| Term End: | January 3, 1965 |
| Predecessor: | Jay Le Fevre |
| Successor: | Joseph Y. Resnick |
| Birth Date: | 4 October 1899 |
| Birth Place: | Binghamton, New York, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Summit, New York, U.S. |
| Restingplace: | Cobleskill Rural Cemetery, Cobleskill, New York |
| Party: | Republican |
| Father: | James H. Wharton |
| Mother: | Mae Dibble |
| Spouse: | Freda Boynton Marion Turner |
| Children: | 1 |
| Education: | Albany Law School |
| Profession: | Attorney |
| Allegiance: |  United States |
| Branch: | United States Army |
| Serviceyears: | 1918 |
| Rank: | Private |
| Unit: | Student Army Training Corps |
| Battles: | World War I |
James Ernest Wharton (October 4, 1899January 19, 1990) was an American attorney and politician. A Republican, he served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from New York from 1951 to 1965.
James Ernest Wharton was born in Binghamton, New York on October 4, 1899[1] to James H. Wharton and Mae Dibble.[2] He attended the public schools of Richmondville and graduated from Richmondville High School.[3] After his high school graduation, Wharton attended Albany Law School.[4]
During World War I, Wharton joined the Student Army Training Corps.[5] He enlisted as a private in October 1918, and was discharged in December, following the Armistice of 11 November 1918 that ended the war.[5] Wharton then completed his studies at Albany Law School, from which he graduated in 1919.[6]
Wharton worked for Travelers Insurance from 1920 until 1929.[6] He attained admission to the bar in 1923 and commenced a law practice in 1929.[3] [7] A Republican, Wharton was the district attorney of Schoharie County, New York from 1932 until 1941.[6] From 1941 to 1951, he served as the county's surrogate, family, and county court judge.[3]
He was elected to the U.S. House in 1950 and served from January 3, 1951, until January 3, 1965.[7] In 1960, his Democratic opponent was Gore Vidal, whom Wharton defeated to win a fifth term.[6] In 1964, he was defeated for reelection by Democrat Joseph Y. Resnick.[8] After leaving Congress, Wharton resumed the practice of law and became involved in real estate development.[7]
Wharton voted in favor of the Civil Rights Acts of 1957,[9] 1960,[10] and 1964,[11] as well as the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.[12]
He died in Summit, New York on January 19, 1990.[6] He was buried at Cobleskill Rural Cemetery in Cobleskill.
Wharton was first married to Freda Boynton (1899-1979).[13] They divorced and he married Marion Turner (1913-2006).[6] With his first wife, Wharton was the father of a daughter, Beverly Wharton Radez.[6] [13]
Retrieved on 2008-01-29