James H. Torrens
Encyclopedia
James H. Torrens was a congressman and influential New York Tammany Hall
figure in the first half of the 20th century.
Torrens served as Tammany/Democratic leader of New York's "old" Twenty-First congressional district (today's 15th congressional district, incorporating Washington Heights and parts of Harlem and the Bronx), 1933-1947. In a special vote held February 29, 1944, Torrens achieved election to the Seventy-eighth Congress as the Democrat/American Labor Party Candidate from the 21st, filling the vacancy caused by the resignation of Joseph A. Gavagan
(Democrat). (Torrens, who did not covet a congressional career, ran at the specific urging of President Franklin D. Roosevelt
, who believed Torrens the strongest candidate to hold the seat for the Democratic Party
.) Subsequently, Torrens won reelection to the Seventy-ninth Congress, serving until January 3, 1947. Torrens did not run again in 1946.
Born in New York City on September 12, 1874, Torrens attended grammar and high schools in that town. During the early 1930s, Torrens served as vice-president and general director of the Washington Heights Chamber of Commerce. Along with his political activities, Torrens was also for many years the vice president and treasurer of the D. Emil Klein Company, cigar manufacturers, where he was affiliated until 1933. Torrens died at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, New York City, on April 5, 1952. He is buried at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY, not far from his friends Babe Ruth
, James Cagney
and James Farley
. Torrens was succeeded in the House of Representatives by Jacob Javits, Republican.
Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall, also known as the Society of St. Tammany, the Sons of St. Tammany, or the Columbian Order, was a New York political organization founded in 1786 and incorporated on May 12, 1789 as the Tammany Society...
figure in the first half of the 20th century.
Torrens served as Tammany/Democratic leader of New York's "old" Twenty-First congressional district (today's 15th congressional district, incorporating Washington Heights and parts of Harlem and the Bronx), 1933-1947. In a special vote held February 29, 1944, Torrens achieved election to the Seventy-eighth Congress as the Democrat/American Labor Party Candidate from the 21st, filling the vacancy caused by the resignation of Joseph A. Gavagan
Joseph A. Gavagan
Joseph Andrew Gavagan was a United States Representative from New York.Born in New York City, he attended the public and parochial schools and graduated from the law department of Fordham University in 1920...
(Democrat). (Torrens, who did not covet a congressional career, ran at the specific urging of President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
, who believed Torrens the strongest candidate to hold the seat for the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
.) Subsequently, Torrens won reelection to the Seventy-ninth Congress, serving until January 3, 1947. Torrens did not run again in 1946.
Born in New York City on September 12, 1874, Torrens attended grammar and high schools in that town. During the early 1930s, Torrens served as vice-president and general director of the Washington Heights Chamber of Commerce. Along with his political activities, Torrens was also for many years the vice president and treasurer of the D. Emil Klein Company, cigar manufacturers, where he was affiliated until 1933. Torrens died at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, New York City, on April 5, 1952. He is buried at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY, not far from his friends Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
, James Cagney
James Cagney
James Francis Cagney, Jr. was an American actor, first on stage, then in film, where he had his greatest impact. Although he won acclaim and major awards for a wide variety of performances, he is best remembered for playing "tough guys." In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked him eighth...
and James Farley
James Farley
James Aloysius Farley was the first Irish Catholic politician in American history to achieve success on a national level, serving as Chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee and as Postmaster General simultaneously under the first two...
. Torrens was succeeded in the House of Representatives by Jacob Javits, Republican.