William McALEER, Congress, PA (1838-1912)

McALEER, William, a Representative from Pennsylvania; born in County Tyrone, Ireland, January 6, 1838; immigrated to the United States with his parents, who settled in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1851; attended public and private schools; in 1861 became a partner with his father and brothers in the firm of John McAleer & Sons, flour merchants; member of the common council 1871-1873; president of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, organized for the relief of immigrants; member of the board of guardians of the poor 1873-1898, and served as vice president and later as president of the board; member of the commercial exchange and served successively as director, vice president, and president of the same; director of the chamber of commerce in 1880; member of the State senate 1886-1890; elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-second Congress and reelected as an Independent Democrat to the Fifty-third Congress (March 4, 1891-March 3, 1895); unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1894; elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-fifth and Fifty-sixth Congresses (March 4, 1897-March 3, 1901); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1900 to the Fifty-seventh Congress; resumed business activities in Philadelphia, Pa.; died in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa., April 19, 1912; interment in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

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