William F. Harrity
Encyclopedia
William Francis Harrity (b. 19 October 1850, Wilmington, Delaware
– d. April 1912) was an American
politician and lawyer. Harrity is most well known as chairperson of the Democratic National Committee
from 1892 to 1896. He also served as Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
between 1891 through 1895.
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
earning a law degree. He completed one year as a tutor of Latin and mathematics at La Salle while gaining his master of arts degree. On 27 December 1873, Harrity completed the bar exam and worked as a lawyer for others and himself until 1884.
as Pennsylvania Governor in 1883. His success led to an appointment a Pennsylvania delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1884 and as Postmaster General for Philadelphia between 1885 to 1889 before he retired his post to become chief executive ,and President of the Equitable Trust Company, 624 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia." Receives Deposits, Makes Loans, Executes Trusts, Insures Titles, Becomes Surety". Capital $ 1,000,000 in 1890.
In 1891, Robert E. Pattison won a second term as Pennsylvania Governor, a position he lost in 1887. Upon reelection, Pattison appointed Harrity as his Secretary of State (or Secretary of the Commonwealth Capita of Pennsylvania). In 1896, Harrity once again served as a delegate
from Pennsylvania to Democratic National Convention
.
Wilmington, Delaware
Wilmington is the largest city in the state of Delaware, United States, and is located at the confluence of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, near where the Christina flows into the Delaware River. It is the county seat of New Castle County and one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley...
– d. April 1912) was an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician and lawyer. Harrity is most well known as chairperson of the Democratic National Committee
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
from 1892 to 1896. He also served as Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Secretary of State (U.S. state government)
Secretary of State is an official in the state governments of 47 of the 50 states of the United States, as well as Puerto Rico and other U.S. possessions. In Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, this official is called the Secretary of the Commonwealth...
between 1891 through 1895.
Early life and career
William Francis Harrity is the son of Michael and Jane A. Harrity, natives of County Donegal, Ireland. He began his education in public schools—graduating from Clarkson Taylor's academy and St. Mary's College. In 1870, Harrity graduated at the top of his class at La Salle CollegeLa Salle University
La Salle University is a private, co-educational, Roman Catholic university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Named for St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle, the school was founded in 1863 by the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. As of 2008 the school has approximately 7,554...
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
earning a law degree. He completed one year as a tutor of Latin and mathematics at La Salle while gaining his master of arts degree. On 27 December 1873, Harrity completed the bar exam and worked as a lawyer for others and himself until 1884.
Political career
By 1882, Harrity had established himself and his law practice at 608 Chestnut St. in the Philadelphia community.and became the chairman of the City of Philadelphia's Democratic Party executive committee. His leadership attributed to the many Democratic candidates being elected at the local and state level including Robert E. PattisonRobert E. Pattison
Robert Emory Pattison was the 19th Governor of Pennsylvania from 1883 to 1887 and 1891 to 1895. Born at Quantico in Somerset County, Maryland, Pattison's family moved to Philadelphia when he was five. He practiced law from 1872 to 1877 and was elected Controller of the city of Philadelphia in 1880...
as Pennsylvania Governor in 1883. His success led to an appointment a Pennsylvania delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1884 and as Postmaster General for Philadelphia between 1885 to 1889 before he retired his post to become chief executive ,and President of the Equitable Trust Company, 624 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia." Receives Deposits, Makes Loans, Executes Trusts, Insures Titles, Becomes Surety". Capital $ 1,000,000 in 1890.
In 1891, Robert E. Pattison won a second term as Pennsylvania Governor, a position he lost in 1887. Upon reelection, Pattison appointed Harrity as his Secretary of State (or Secretary of the Commonwealth Capita of Pennsylvania). In 1896, Harrity once again served as a delegate
Delegate
A delegate is a person who speaks or acts on behalf of an organization at a meeting or conference between organizations of the same level A delegate is a person who speaks or acts on behalf of an organization (e.g., a government, a charity, an NGO, or a trade union) at a meeting or conference...
from Pennsylvania to Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
.
Honors
- The William F. Harrity School, a public elementary school in Philadelphia, in named in his honor.
- In 1891, James M. BeckJames M. BeckJames Montgomery Beck was an American lawyer and politician from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a member of the Republican Party, who served as U.S. Solicitor General and U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania....
entered the law office and formed a partnership with William F. Harrity; Beck would later become the United States Solicitor GeneralUnited States Solicitor GeneralThe United States Solicitor General is the person appointed to represent the federal government of the United States before the Supreme Court of the United States. The current Solicitor General, Donald B. Verrilli, Jr. was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 6, 2011 and sworn in on June...
.