MLK Library

HARRIS, William Julius, (great-grandson of Charles Hooks), a Senator from Georgia; born in Cedartown, Polk County, Ga., February 3, 1868; attended the common schools and graduated from the University of Georgia at Athens in 1890; engaged in the general insurance business and banking at Cedartown; served as private secretary to United States Senator Alexander S. Clay 1904-1909; member, State senate 1911-1912; Director of the United States Census Bureau 1913-1915, when he resigned to become a member of the Federal Trade Commission; Acting Secretary of the Department of Commerce 1913-1915; member of the Federal Trade Commission 1915-1918, when he resigned to become a candidate for United States Senator; chairman of the commission 1917-1918; elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate in 1918; reelected in 1924 and in 1930 and served from March 4, 1919, until his death; member of the National Forest Reservation Commission 1929-1932; died in Washington, D.C., April 18, 1932; funeral services were held in the Chamber of the United States Senate; interment in Greenwood Cemetery, Cedartown, Ga.