James Lawrence GETZ, Congress, PA (1821-1891)

GETZ, James Lawrence, a Representative from Pennsylvania; born in Reading, Berks County, Pa., September 14, 1821; pursued an academic course; one of the founders of the Reading Gazette in 1840; purchased the Jefferson Democrat and merged the two papers under the name of the Reading Gazette and Democrat, disposing of his interests in 1868; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1846 but never practiced; member of the State house of representatives in 1856 and 1857 and served as speaker of the house during the latter year; elected as a Democrat to the Fortieth, Forty-first, and Forty-second Congresses (March 4, 1867-March 3, 1873); was not a candidate for renomination in 1872; again engaged in the newspaper business; city comptroller of Reading, Pa., from 1888 until his death in that city December 25, 1891; interment in Charles Evans Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present