Willis C. Hawley | |
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st district |
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In office March 4, 1907 – March 3, 1933 |
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Preceded by | Binger Hermann |
Succeeded by | James W. Mott |
Personal details | |
Born |
Willis Chatman Hawley May 5, 1864 Monroe, Oregon |
Died | July 24, 1941 Salem, Oregon |
(aged 77)
Political party | Republican |
Alma mater | Willamette University |
Willis Chatman Hawley (May 5, 1864 – July 24, 1941) was an American politician and educator in the state of Oregon. A native of the state, he would serve as president of Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, where he earned his undergraduate and law degrees before entering politics. A Republican, he served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Oregon from 1907 to 1933 where he co-sponsored the Smoot–Hawley Tariff in 1930.
Hawley was born on a farm in the old Belknap settlement near Monroe in Benton County, Oregon, on May 5, 1864. After he attended country schools, he entered college. In 1884, he graduated with a bachelor of science degree from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. Hawley was the principal of the Umpqua Academy from 1884–86. In 1888, he received a bachelor of arts degree from the school along with a Bachelor of Laws from the law department.
Next, he served as president of the Oregon State Normal School at Drain south of Eugene from 1888-1891. During this time he earned a master's degree from Willamette in 1890 and the following year joined the faculty at his alma mater. Hawley became the president of Willamette, serving in that position from 1893 to 1902 while he was professor of history and economics for sixteen years at the school.
Then, he engaged in a variety of business and educational ventures before entering politics. Hawley became a member of the National Forest Reservation Commission and a member of the Special Committee on Rural Credits created by Congress in 1915. Additionally, he served as a member of the Commission for the Celebration of the Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Birth of president and general George Washington.