Ovington Eugene Weller (January 23, 1862 – January 5, 1947) was a

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member of the

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, representing the

State of Maryland Maryland ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean to it ...

from 1921 to 1927.

Early life

Weller was born in

Reisterstown, Maryland Reisterstown is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census, it had a population of 25,968. Founded by German i ...

, and attended the public schools. He entered the

United States Naval Academy The United States Naval Academy (US Naval Academy, USNA, or Navy) is a federal service academy in Annapolis, Maryland. It was established on 10 October 1845 during the tenure of George Bancroft as Secretary of the Navy. The Naval Academy ...

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in 1877 and graduated in 1881. After two years of service in the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

, he was

honorably discharged A military discharge is given when a member of the armed forces is released from their obligation to serve. Each country's military has different types of discharge. They are generally based on whether the persons completed their training and the ...

in 1883. Following his service in the Navy, Weller enrolled at the

National Law School The National Law School of India University (NLSIU or simply NLS) is a public law school and a National Law University located in Bangalore, Karnataka. It was the first National Law University to be established in India as well as one of the ...

in 1883. While attending school, he was employed as a clerk in the

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Department in

Washington, D.C. ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...

from 1883 to 1887. He graduated in 1887 and was admitted to the

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in 1888.

Career

After practicing law for three years, Weller engaged in

banking A bank is a financial institution that accepts deposits from the public and creates a demand deposit while simultaneously making loans. Lending activities can be directly performed by the bank or indirectly through capital markets. Because ...

and

manufacturing Manufacturing is the creation or production of goods with the help of equipment, labor, machines, tools, and chemical or biological processing or formulation. It is the essence of secondary sector of the economy. The term may refer to a r ...

, and was a member of a stock brokerage firm until retiring in 1901. He traveled extensively following retirement. Weller became chairman of the State Roads Commission of Maryland in 1912. He ran as Republican party candidate in the 1915 Maryland gubernatorial election, but was defeated by Democratic candidate Emerson C. Harrington. Weller was treasurer of the

Republican National Senatorial Committee The National Republican Senate Committee (NRSC) is the Republican Hill committee for the United States Senate, working to elect Republicans to that body. The NRSC was founded in 1916 as the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee. It was reorga ...

from 1918 to 1920 until he was elected to the United States Senate in 1920, defeating incumbent

John Walter Smith John Walter Smith (February 5, 1845April 19, 1925), was an American politician and a member of the Democratic Party in the United States, held several public offices representing the state of Maryland. From 1899 to 1900, he was a U.S. congres ...

. Weller unsuccessfully tried for re-election in 1926, losing his position to

Millard Tydings Millard Evelyn Tydings (April 6, 1890February 9, 1961) was an American attorney, author, soldier, state legislator, and served as a Democratic Representative and Senator in the United States Congress from Maryland, serving in the House from 192 ...

. While senator, Weller was chairman of the

U.S. Senate Committee on Manufactures The United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is a standing committee of the United States Senate. Besides having broad jurisdiction over all matters concerning interstate commerce, science and technology policy, a ...

. Weller resumed the practice of law in

Baltimore, Maryland Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the List of municipalities in Maryland, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, and List of United States cities by popula ...

until his death.

Personal life

Weller died on January 5, 1947. He is buried in

Arlington National Cemetery Arlington National Cemetery is one of two national cemeteries run by the United States Army. Nearly 400,000 people are buried in its 639 acres (259 ha) in Arlington, Virginia. There are about 30 funerals conducted on weekdays and 7 held on Sa ...

Arlington, Virginia Arlington County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The county is situated in Northern Virginia on the southwestern bank of the Potomac River directly across from the District of Columbia, of which it was once a part. The county is ...

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Weller, Ovington 1862 births 1927 deaths United States Naval Academy alumni United States Navy officers People from Reistertown, Maryland Republican Party United States senators from Maryland Maryland Republicans Burials at Arlington National Cemetery