Jonathan S. Willis
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Delaware's At-large district
In office
March 4, 1895 – March 3, 1897
Preceded byJohn W. Causey
Succeeded byL. Irving Handy
Personal details
Born(1830-04-05)April 5, 1830
Oxford, Maryland, U.S.
DiedNovember 24, 1903(1903-11-24) (aged 73)
Milford, Delaware, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Residence(s)Milford, Delaware

Jonathan Spencer Willis (April 5, 1830 – November 24, 1903) was an American politician from Milford in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Republican Party, who served as U. S. Representative from Delaware.

Early life and family

Willis was born in Oxford, Maryland, attended the district schools there and studied under private tutors.

Willis married twice. To Annie Barratt Townsend (1843 - 1885), they had one daughter Elizabeth Townsend Willis (1864 - 1934). And to Edith Gillespie (1855 - 1914), they had one son Jonathan Spencer Willis, Jr (1892 - 1957).

Professional and political career

He taught school seven years and then entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, serving charges in Maryland, Delaware, Philadelphia, New York City, and Stamford, Connecticut. He retired from the ministry in 1884 and settled on a farm near Milford, Delaware and engaged in fruit growing.

Willis was an unsuccessful Republican candidate for election in 1892 to the 53rd Congress, but was elected to the 54th Congress, serving from March 4, 1895, to March 3, 1897. He was an unsuccessful candidate, however, for reelection in 1896 to the 55th Congress, and returned to the full effort of agricultural pursuits.

Death and legacy

He died in Milford and was buried in the Barratt's Chapel Cemetery near Frederica, Delaware.

Almanac

Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. U.S. Representatives took office March 4 and have a two-year term.

Public Offices
Office Type Location Began office Ended office notes
U.S. Representative Legislature Washington March 4, 1895 March 3, 1897
United States Congressional service
Dates Congress Chamber Majority President Committees Class/District
1895–1897 54th U.S. House Democratic Grover Cleveland at-large
Election results
Year Office Subject Party Votes  % Opponent Party Votes  %
1892 U.S. Representative Jonathan S. Willis Republican 18,080 49% John W. Causey Democratic 18,554 51%
1894 U.S. Representative Jonathan S. Willis Republican 19,789 51% Samuel Bancroft, Jr. Democratic 18,482 48%
1896 U.S. Representative Jonathan S. Willis Republican 11,159 32% I. Irving Handy Democratic 15,407 44%

References

  • Martin, Roger A. (1995). Memoirs of the Senate. Newark, Delaware: Roger A. Martin.

Places with more information

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