The 1898 United States House of Representatives elections were held during the middle of
President William McKinley
William McKinley (January 29, 1843September 14, 1901) was the 25th president of the United States, serving from 1897 until his assassination in 1901. As a politician he led a realignment that made his Republican Party largely dominant in t ...
's first term.
As in many midterm elections, the President's
Republican Party
Republican Party is a name used by many political parties around the world, though the term most commonly refers to the United States' Republican Party.
Republican Party may also refer to:
Africa
*Republican Party (Liberia)
* Republican Part ...
lost seats, but was able to hold a majority over the
Democratic Party Democratic Party most often refers to:
*Democratic Party (United States)
Democratic Party and similar terms may also refer to:
Active parties Africa
*Botswana Democratic Party
*Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea
*Gabonese Democratic Party
*Demo ...
. The
Populist Party also lost many seats, as their movement began to decline. This was likely because many Populists rallied behind
William Jennings Bryan
William Jennings Bryan (March 19, 1860 – July 26, 1925) was an American lawyer, orator and politician. Beginning in 1896, he emerged as a dominant force in the Democratic Party, running three times as the party's nominee for President ...
's increasingly powerful branch of the Democratic Party, which built the rural economic issues advocated by Populists into their platform. As a result, the Democrats won a number of Western seats as well many in the
Mid-Atlantic.
Election summaries
The previous elections of 1896 saw the election of 24 Populists, 2 Silver Republicans, and a Silver Party member.
Special elections
}
, -
!
,
William V. Sullivan
, , Democratic
,
1896
, , Incumbent resigned when
appointed U.S. senator.
New member elected July 5, 1898.
Democratic hold.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
, -
!
, -
!
, -
!
, -
!
,
William F. Love
, , Democratic
,
1896
, , Incumbent died October 16, 1898.
New member elected November 29, 1898.
Democratic hold.
, nowrap ,
Election dates
All the states held their elections November 8, 1898, except for 3 states, with 8 seats among them:
*June 6:
Oregon
Oregon () is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington, while the Snake River delineates much of its eastern boundary with Idah ...
*September 6:
Vermont
Vermont () is a state in the northeast New England region of the United States. Vermont is bordered by the states of Massachusetts to the south, New Hampshire to the east, and New York to the west, and the Canadian province of Quebec to the ...
*September 12:
Maine
Maine () is a U.S. state, state in the New England and Northeastern United States, Northeastern regions of the United States. It borders New Hampshire to the west, the Gulf of Maine to the southeast, and the Provinces and territories of Canad ...
Alabama
Arkansas
California
}
, -
!
,
John All Barham
, , Republican
,
1894
Events January–March
* January 4 – A military alliance is established between the French Third Republic and the Russian Empire.
* January 7 – William Kennedy Dickson receives a patent for motion picture film in the United S ...
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Marion De Vries
, , Democratic
,
1896
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Samuel G. Hilborn
, , Republican
,
1894
Events January–March
* January 4 – A military alliance is established between the French Third Republic and the Russian Empire.
* January 7 – William Kennedy Dickson receives a patent for motion picture film in the United S ...
, , Incumbent lost renomination.
New member elected.
Republican hold
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
James G. Maguire
, , Democratic
,
1892
, , Incumbent retired to
run for California Governor.
New member elected.
Republican gain.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Eugene F. Loud
Eugene Francis Loud (March 12, 1847 – December 19, 1908) was an American Civil War veteran who served six terms as a U.S. Representative from California from 1891 to 1903.
Early life and career
Born in Abington, Massachusetts, Loud went to ...
, , Republican
,
1890
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Charles A. Barlow
, , Populist
,
1900
As of March 1 ( O.S. February 17), when the Julian calendar acknowledged a leap day and the Gregorian calendar did not, the Julian calendar fell one day further behind, bringing the difference to 13 days until February 28 ( O.S. February 15), ...
, , Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Republican gain.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Curtis H. Castle
, , Populist
,
1896
, , Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Republican gain.
, nowrap ,
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
, -
!
,
Stephen M. Sparkman
, , Democratic
,
1894
Events January–March
* January 4 – A military alliance is established between the French Third Republic and the Russian Empire.
* January 7 – William Kennedy Dickson receives a patent for motion picture film in the United S ...
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Robert Wyche Davis
Robert Wyche Davis (March 15, 1849 – September 15, 1929) was a United States Representative from Florida.
Biography
Born near Albany, Georgia, Davis attended public schools. He enlisted in 1863 in the Fifth Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regi ...
, , Democratic
,
1896
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
Georgia
Idaho
, -
!
,
James Gunn
James Francis Gunn Jr. (born August 5, 1966) is an American filmmaker and executive. He began his career as a screenwriter in the mid-1990s, starting at Troma Entertainment with '' Tromeo and Juliet'' (1997). He then began working as a direct ...
, , Populist
,
1896
, , Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Silver Republican gain.
, nowrap ,
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
, -
!
,
George P. Lawrence
, , Republican
, 1897 (special)
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Frederick H. Gillett
, , Republican
,
1892
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Joseph H. Walker
Joseph Henry Walker (December 21, 1829 – April 3, 1907) was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Worcester, Massachusetts.
Early life
He was born in Boston on December 21, 1829. He moved with his parents to Hopkint ...
, , Republican
,
1888
In Germany, 1888 is known as the Year of the Three Emperors. Currently, it is the year that, when written in Roman numerals, has the most digits (13). The next year that also has 13 digits is the year 2388. The record will be surpassed as late ...
, , Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Democratic gain.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
George W. Weymouth
George Warren Weymouth (August 25, 1850 – September 7, 1910) was a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts.
Early life
Born in West Amesbury (now Merrimac), Massachusetts, Weymouth attended the public schools and the Merrimac High School. ...
, , Republican
,
1896
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
William S. Knox
William Shadrach Knox (September 10, 1843 – September 21, 1914) was a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts who served from 1895 to 1903.
Knox was the son of William Shadrach Knox Sr and Rebecca Walker, and the grandson of Samuel Knox an ...
, , Republican
,
1894
Events January–March
* January 4 – A military alliance is established between the French Third Republic and the Russian Empire.
* January 7 – William Kennedy Dickson receives a patent for motion picture film in the United S ...
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
William H. Moody
William Henry Moody (December 23, 1853 – July 2, 1917) was an American politician and jurist who held positions in all three branches of the Government of the United States. He represented parts of Essex County, Massachusetts in the Uni ...
, , Republican
, 1895 (special)
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
William Emerson Barrett
, , Republican
,
1894
Events January–March
* January 4 – A military alliance is established between the French Third Republic and the Russian Empire.
* January 7 – William Kennedy Dickson receives a patent for motion picture film in the United S ...
, , Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Republican hold.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Samuel W. McCall
, , Republican
,
1892
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
John F. Fitzgerald
, , Democratic
,
1894
Events January–March
* January 4 – A military alliance is established between the French Third Republic and the Russian Empire.
* January 7 – William Kennedy Dickson receives a patent for motion picture film in the United S ...
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Samuel J. Barrows
Samuel June Barrows (May 26, 1845 – April 21, 1909) was an American Republican politician who served one term as a U.S. Representative from Boston, Massachusetts.
Early life and education
Barrows was born in New York City to a strict Baptist ...
, , Republican
,
1896
, , Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Democratic gain.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Charles F. Sprague
, , Republican
,
1892
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
William C. Lovering
, , Republican
,
1896
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
William S. Greene
, , Republican
, 1898 (special)
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
, -
!
,
John M. Allen
, , Democratic
,
1884
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Thomas Spight
, , Democratic
,
1898 (special)
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Thomas C. Catchings
Thomas Clendinen Catchings (January 11, 1847 – December 24, 1927) was a U.S. Representative from Mississippi.
Early life and education
Thomas Clendenin Catchings was born January 11, 1847, at "Fleetwood" in Hinds County, Mississippi, to Dr ...
, , Democratic
,
1884
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Andrew F. Fox
Andrew Fuller Fox (April 26, 1849 – August 29, 1926) was a U.S. Representative from Mississippi.
Born in Reform, Alabama, Fox moved to Calhoun County, Mississippi, with his parents in 1853.
He attended private schools, and was graduated from M ...
, , Democratic
,
1896
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
John S. Williams
, , Democratic
,
1892
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
, colspan=3 , Vacant (incumbent died October 16, 1898)
, , New member elected.
Democratic hold.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry (May 29, 1736June 6, 1799) was an American attorney, planter, politician and orator known for declaring to the Second Virginia Convention (1775): " Give me liberty, or give me death!" A Founding Father, he served as the first ...
, , Democratic
,
1896
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
Missouri
Montana
, -
!
,
Charles S. Hartman
Charles Sampson Hartman (March 1, 1861 – August 3, 1929) was a U.S. Representative from Montana.
Born in Monticello, Indiana, Hartman attended the public schools and Wabash College in Crawfordsville.
He moved to Bozeman, Montana, in January ...
, , Silver Republican
,
1892
, , Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic gain.
, nowrap ,
Nebraska
, -
!
,
Jesse B. Strode
, , Republican
,
1894
Events January–March
* January 4 – A military alliance is established between the French Third Republic and the Russian Empire.
* January 7 – William Kennedy Dickson receives a patent for motion picture film in the United S ...
, , Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Republican hold.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
David H. Mercer
, , Republican
,
1892
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Samuel Maxwell
, , Populist
,
1896
, , Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic gain.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
William L. Stark
, , Populist
,
1896
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Roderick Dhu Sutherland
Roderick Dhu Sutherland (April 27, 1862 – October 18, 1915) was an American Populist Party politician.
Sutherland was born in Scotch Grove, Iowa, and attended Amity College, in College Springs, Iowa. He taught school and studied law, being ...
, , Populist
,
1896
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
William L. Greene
, , Populist
,
1896
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
, -
!
,
Martin N. Johnson
, , Republican
,
1890
, , Incumbent retired to
run for U.S. senator.
New member elected.
Republican hold.
, nowrap ,
Ohio
Oregon
, -
!
,
Thomas H. Tongue
, , Republican
,
1896
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
William R. Ellis
, , Republican
,
1892
, , Incumbent lost renomination.
New member elected.
Republican hold.
, nowrap ,
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
, -
!
,
William Elliott
, , Democratic
,
1886
Events
January–March
* January 1 – Upper Burma is formally annexed to British Burma, following its conquest in the Third Anglo-Burmese War of November 1885.
* January 5– 9 – Robert Louis Stevenson's novella ''Strange ...
1896
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
W. Jasper Talbert
William Jasper Talbert (October 6, 1846 – February 5, 1931) was a U.S. Representative from South Carolina.
Early life
Born near Edgefield County, South Carolina, in Talbert Township in what is now Mccormick County, South Carolina. He attend ...
, , Democratic
,
1892
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Asbury Latimer
, , Democratic
,
1892
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Stanyarne Wilson
Stanyarne Wilson (January 10, 1860 – February 14, 1928) was a U.S. Representative from South Carolina.
Born in Yorkville (now York), South Carolina, Wilson attended King's Mountain Military School and Washington and Lee University, Lexington ...
, , Democratic
,
1894
Events January–March
* January 4 – A military alliance is established between the French Third Republic and the Russian Empire.
* January 7 – William Kennedy Dickson receives a patent for motion picture film in the United S ...
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Thomas J. Strait
Thomas Jefferson Strait (December 25, 1846 – April 18, 1924) was a U.S. Representative from South Carolina.
Biography
Born in Chester District, South Carolina, Strait attended the common schools of Mayesville, South Carolina
Mayesville i ...
, , Democratic
,
1892
, , Incumbent lost renomination.
New member elected.
Democratic hold.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
James Norton
, , Democratic
, 1897 (special)
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
J. William Stokes
, , Democratic
,
1894
Events January–March
* January 4 – A military alliance is established between the French Third Republic and the Russian Empire.
* January 7 – William Kennedy Dickson receives a patent for motion picture film in the United S ...
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
South Dakota
, -
! rowspan=2 ,
,
John Edward Kelley
, , Populist
,
1896
, , Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Republican gain.
, rowspan=2 nowrap ,
, -
,
Freeman Knowles
, , Populist
,
1896
, , Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Republican gain.
Tennessee
, -
!
,
Walter P. Brownlow
, , Republican
,
1896
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Henry R. Gibson
, , Republican
,
1894
Events January–March
* January 4 – A military alliance is established between the French Third Republic and the Russian Empire.
* January 7 – William Kennedy Dickson receives a patent for motion picture film in the United S ...
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
John A. Moon
John Austin Moon (April 22, 1855 – June 26, 1921) was an American politician and a member of the United States House of Representatives for the 3rd congressional district of Tennessee.
Biography
Born on April 22, 1855, near Charlottesville, V ...
, , Democratic
,
1896
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Benton McMillin
, , Democratic
,
1878
, , Incumbent retired to run for
Governor
A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...
.
New member elected.
Democratic hold.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
James D. Richardson
James Daniel Richardson (March 10, 1843 – July 24, 1914) was an American politician and a Democrat from Tennessee for Tennessee's 5th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1885 through 1905.
Early life and e ...
, , Democratic
,
1884
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
John W. Gaines
John Wesley Gaines (August 24, 1860 – July 4, 1926) was an American politician and a member of the United States House of Representatives for the 6th congressional district of Tennessee.
Biography
Gaines was born in Wrecoe, near Nashvill ...
, , Democratic
,
1896
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Nicholas N. Cox
Nicholas Nichols Cox (January 6, 1837 – May 2, 1912) was an American politician and a member of the United States House of Representatives for the Tennessee's 7th congressional district.
Biography
Cox was born in Bedford County, Tennessee on ...
, , Democratic
,
1890
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Thetus W. Sims
Thetus Willrette Sims (April 25, 1852 – December 17, 1939) was an American politician and a member of the United States House of Representatives for the 8th congressional district of Tennessee.
Biography
Sims was born on April 25, 1852 ne ...
, , Democratic
,
1896
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Rice A. Pierce
, , Democratic
,
1896
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Edward W. Carmack
Edward Ward Carmack (November 5, 1858November 9, 1908) was an attorney, newspaperman, and political figure who served as a U.S. Senator from Tennessee from 1901 to 1907.
Following his political service, and after an unsuccessful run for Governor ...
, , Democratic
,
1896
, Incumbent re-elected.
,
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
, -
!
,
Blackburn B. Dovener
Blackburn Barrett Dovener (April 20, 1842 – May 9, 1914) was a Republican politician from West Virginia who served as a United States representative. Dovener was born in Tays Valley, Virginia, in Cabell County (now in West Virginia) on April ...
, , Republican
,
1894
Events January–March
* January 4 – A military alliance is established between the French Third Republic and the Russian Empire.
* January 7 – William Kennedy Dickson receives a patent for motion picture film in the United S ...
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Alston G. Dayton
, , Republican
,
1894
Events January–March
* January 4 – A military alliance is established between the French Third Republic and the Russian Empire.
* January 7 – William Kennedy Dickson receives a patent for motion picture film in the United S ...
, Incumbent re-elected.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Charles Dorr
, , Republican
,
1896
, , Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic gain.
, nowrap ,
, -
!
,
Warren Miller
, , Republican
,
1894
Events January–March
* January 4 – A military alliance is established between the French Third Republic and the Russian Empire.
* January 7 – William Kennedy Dickson receives a patent for motion picture film in the United S ...
, , Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Republican hold.
, nowrap ,
Wisconsin
Wyoming
, -
!
,
John E. Osborne
John Eugene Osborne (June 19, 1858 – April 24, 1943) was an American physician, farmer, banker, and politician who served as the 3rd governor of Wyoming and United States representative as a member of the Democratic Party.
Early life
John ...
, , Democratic
,
1896
, , Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Republican gain.
, nowrap ,
Non-voting delegates
, -
!
, -
!
, -
!
,
James Y. Callahan
, , Free Silver
,
1896
, , Incumbent retired.
New delegate elected.
Republican gain.
, nowrap ,
See also
*
1898 United States elections
The 1898 United States elections occurred in the middle of Republican President William McKinley's first term, during the Fourth Party System. The elections took place shortly after the Spanish–American War. Members of the 56th United States ...
**
1898 and 1899 United States Senate elections
Events
January–March
* January 1 – New York City annexes land from surrounding counties, creating the City of Greater New York as the world's second largest. The city is geographically divided into five boroughs: Manhattan, B ...
*
55th United States Congress
The 55th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from March 4, 1897, to M ...
*
56th United States Congress
Notes
References
Bibliography
*
*
*
*
External links
Office of the Historian(Office of Art & Archives, Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives)
{{United States House of Representatives elections