James Albertus Tawney
Tawneyc. 1894–1901
Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromMinnesota's1st district
In office March 4, 1893 – March 3, 1911
Preceded by	William H. Harries
Succeeded by	Sydney Anderson
House Majority Whip
In office March 4, 1899 – March 3, 1905
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	James E. Watson
Member of theMinnesota Senate
In office 1890
Personal details
Born	James Albertus Tawney January 3, 1855 Mount Pleasant Township,Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	June 12, 1919 (aged 64) Excelsior Springs,Missouri
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Emma B. Newall
Children	5
Alma mater	University of Wisconsin–Madison

James Albertus Tawney (January 3, 1855 – June 12, 1919) was an Americanblacksmith,machinist andU.S.politician and a member of theUnited States House of Representatives fromMinnesota. He was the firstHouse Majority Whip, holding that position from 1899 to 1905.

Tawney was born in Mount Pleasant Township, nearGettysburg,Adams County, Pennsylvania. He apprenticed with his father as a blacksmith, and subsequently learned the trade of machinist. In 1877, he moved toWinona, Minnesota, where he was employed as a blacksmith and machinist until 1881. He attended the law department of theUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison "having previously devoted mornings and evenings to the study of law for about two years," and was admitted to the bar in 1882 and commenced practice in Winona.^[1]

Tawney was elected to theMinnesota Senate in 1890. In 1892, he was elected toCongress as aRepublican, and served in the53rd,54th,55th,56th,57th,58th,59th,60th, and61st congresses.^[1] During his time in Congress, Tawney served asMajority Whip and as chairman of theHouse Committee on Appropriations.

In 1910 he was defeated in the Republicanprimary by 30-year-oldSydney Anderson, who had the support ofTheodore Roosevelt,Gifford Pinchot and otherProgressive Republicans. Anderson ran on a platform of drastically reducedtariffs and opposition toCannonism (with which Tawney was identified).

Tawney was a member of theInternational Joint Commission (created to prevent disputes regarding the use ofBoundary Waters between the United States and Canada) from 1911 until his death, serving as chairman of the United States section from September 17, 1911, to December 1, 1914.

Tawney died atExcelsior Springs,Clay County, Missouri.

• Minnesota Legislators Past and Present

• United States Congress."James A. Tawney (id: T000060)".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

• Media related toJames Albertus Tawney at Wikimedia Commons

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