Charles A. Wolverton
Charles Anderson Wolverton | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 1st district | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office March 4, 1927 – January 3, 1959 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Francis F. Patterson, Jr. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | William T. Cahill | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Prosecutor of Pleas for Camden County | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 1918–1923 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 1918 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Edward Schoen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Arthur N. Pierson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from Camden County, New Jersey | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 1915–1918 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Henry S. Scovel | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Ralph N. Kellam | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prosecutor of Camden County | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 1906–1913 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | October 24, 1880 Camden, New Jersey, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | May 16, 1969 (aged 88) Camden, New Jersey, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Resting place | Harleigh Cemetery, Camden 39°55′26″N 75°05′24″W / 39.92390°N 75.09000°W | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Party | Republican | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Education | Camden High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alma mater | University of Pennsylvania | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Charles Anderson Wolverton (October 24, 1880 – May 16, 1969) was a Republican Party politician who represented New Jersey's 1st congressional district in the United States House of Representatives for nearly 32 years, from 1927 to 1959.
Career
Born in Camden, New Jersey, Wolverton graduated from Camden High School in 1897 and receiving a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1900, began practicing law in his native Camden.[1] He was Camden County prosecutor from 1906 to 1913 and special assistant attorney general of New Jersey in 1913 and 1914.
Wolverton was then elected to the New Jersey State House of Assembly (1915–1918) becoming speaker in 1918. Wolverton first ran for a Congressional seat in 1926, winning that election and eventually serving 16 terms as a representative.
Wolverton eventually became chairman of the influential Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee. During his tenure in the US House Wolverton crossed the aisle, voting for a number of FDR's New Deal programs. In 1933 he voted for the National Industrial Recovery Act.[2] In 1935 he voted for the Social Security Act.[3] In 1947–48, he served on the Herter Committee.[4] Wolverton voted in favor of the Civil Rights Act of 1957.[5]
A resident of Merchantville, New Jersey, Wolverton retired from political office in 1958 to resume his legal practice.[6]
Death
Charles A. Wolverton died at age 88 and was interred in Harleigh Cemetery in Camden.
Electoral history
United States House of Representatives
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Charles A. Wolverton (incumbent) | 118,367 | 55.04 | |
| Democratic | Alfred R. Pierce | 96,162 | 44.71 | |
| Progressive | Kent A. Smitheman | 529 | 0.25 | |
| Total votes | 215,058 | 100 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Charles A. Wolverton (incumbent) | 82,919 | 63.52 | |
| Democratic | George F. Neutze | 47,631 | 36.48 | |
| Total votes | 130,550 | 100 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Charles Anderson Wolverton (incumbent) | 109,510 | 74.86 | |
| Democratic | Alfred R. White | 36,778 | 25.14 | |
| Total votes | 146,288 | 100 | ||
References
- ^ Official Congressional Directory, p. 68. United States Government Printing Office, 1921. Accessed May 15, 2023. "Charles A. Wolverton, Republican, of Camden, N.J., born October 24, 1880, at Camden N.J., his parents being Charles S. Wolverton and Martha Wolverton; educated in the public schools of Camden graduating from Camden High School June 24, 1897; studied law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, graduating June 13, 1900, with the degree of LL.B...."
- ^ "TO PASS H.R. 5755. -- House Vote #44 -- May 26, 1933". GovTrack.us. Retrieved October 19, 2016.
- ^ "TO PASS H.R. 7260, (P.A. 271), THE SOCIAL SECURITY BILL. -- House Vote #39 -- Apr 19, 1935". GovTrack.us. Retrieved October 19, 2016.
- ^ "Final Report on Foreign Aid of the House Select Committee on Foreign Aid" (PDF). Marshall Foundation. May 1, 1948. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "HR 6127. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1957". GovTrack.us.
- ^ Staff. "Wolverton to End Career in Congress", The New York Times, February 13, 1958. Accessed September 18, 2019. "Mr. Wolverton said he planned to return to his law practice and participate in community affairs. He is 77 years old and lives in Merchantville."
- ^ "STATE OF NEW JERSEY Results of the General Election Held November 4th, 1952" (PDF). p. 4.
- ^ "STATE OF NEW JERSEY Results of the General Election Held November 5th, 1946" (PDF). p. 4.
- ^ "STATE OF NEW JERSEY Results of the General Election Held November 6th, 1928" (PDF). p. 4. Retrieved October 19, 2025.