Pennsylvania's 31st congressional district explained

State:	Pennsylvania
District Number:	31
Obsolete:	yes
Created:	1903
Eliminated:	1950
Years:	1903-1953
Population Year:	1950

Pennsylvania's 31st congressional district was one of Pennsylvania's districts of the United States House of Representatives. It existed from 1903 to 1953.

Geography

Created in 1903, the district served portions of the city of Pittsburgh. The district later expanded to serve portions of Allegheny County

Boundaries in 1903

During the 58th Congress, the district served Pittsburgh Wards 1-19 and Ward 23.^[1]

Boundaries in 1950

During the 81st Congress, the district served Wards 19, 20, 28, 29, 30, and 32 in Pittsburgh and the following portions of Allegheny County.^[2]

• Boroughs served by the 31st District
  • Brentwood
  • Bridgeville
  • Carnegie
  • Castle Shannon
  • Coraopolis
  • Crafton
  • Dormont
  • Green Tree
  • Heidelberg
  • Ingram
  • McDonald
    (5th election district)
  • McKees Rocks
  • Mount Oliver
  • Oakdale
  • Rosslyn Farms
  • Thornburg
• Townships served by the 31st District
  • Baldwin
  • Bethel
  • Collier
  • Crescent
  • Findlay
  • Kennedy
  • Moon
  • Mount Lebanon
  • Neville
  • North Fayette
  • Robinson
  • Scott
  • South Fayette
  • Stowe
  • Upper St. Clair

Population

• 188,099 (1900 census)
• 295,063 (1940 census)

History

This district was created in 1903, then eliminated in 1953.

List of representatives

Representative	Party	Years	Cong ress	Electoral history
District established March 4, 1903
align=left nowrap	Henry K. Porter		Independent Republican	nowrap	March 4, 1903 – March 3, 1905		Elected in 1902. Lost re-nomination.
align=left nowrap	James F. Burke		Republican	nowrap	March 4, 1905 – March 3, 1915		Elected in 1904. Re-elected in 1906. Re-elected in 1908. Re-elected in 1910. Re-elected in 1912. Retired.
align=left nowrap	John M. Morin		Republican	nowrap	March 4, 1915 – March 3, 1923		Redistricted from the At-large district and re-elected in 1914. Re-elected in 1916. Re-elected in 1918 Re-elected in 1920. Redistricted to the 34th district.
align=left nowrap	Adam M. Wyant		Republican	nowrap	March 4, 1923 – March 3, 1933		Redistricted from the 22nd district and re-elected in 1922. Re-elected in 1924. Re-elected in 1926. Re-elected in 1928. Re-elected in 1930. Lost re-election.
align=left nowrap	M. Clyde Kelly		Republican	nowrap	March 3, 1933 – January 3, 1935		Redistricted from the 33rd district and re-elected in 1932. Lost re-election.
align=left nowrap	James L. Quinn		Democratic	nowrap	January 3, 1935 – January 3, 1939		Elected in 1934. Re-elected in 1936. Lost re-election.
align=left nowrap	John McDowell		Republican	nowrap	January 3, 1939 – January 3, 1941		Elected in 1938. Lost re-election.
align=left nowrap	Samuel A. Weiss		Democratic	nowrap	January 3, 1941 – January 3, 1943		Elected in 1940. Redistricted to the 33rd district.
align=left nowrap	Herman P. Eberharter		Democratic	nowrap	January 3, 1943 – January 3, 1945		Redistricted from the 32nd district and re-elected in 1942. Redistricted to the 32nd district.
align=left nowrap	James G. Fulton		Republican	nowrap	January 3, 1945 – January 3, 1953		Elected in 1944. Re-elected in 1946. Re-elected in 1948. Re-elected in 1950. Redistricted to the 27th district.
District dissolved January 3, 1953

References

• Book: Martis, Kenneth C. . The Historical Atlas of Political Parties in the United States Congress . 1989 . Macmillan Publishing Company . New York.
• Book: Martis, Kenneth C. . The Historical Atlas of United States Congressional Districts . 1982 . Macmillan Publishing Company . New York.
• Congressional Biographical Directory of the United States 1774–present

40.3333°N -80°W

Notes and References

1. Official Congressional Directory. 53rd Congress, Special Session (1903). Page 109.
2. Official Congressional Directory. 81st Congress, 2d Session (1950). Page 117.