Rufus King Polk (August 23, 1866 – March 5, 1902) was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania from 1899 to 1902.

Rufus King Polk
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 17th district
In office
March 4, 1899 – March 5, 1902
Preceded byMonroe H. Kulp
Succeeded byAlexander Billmeyer
Personal details
Born
Rufus King Polk

(1866-08-23)August 23, 1866
Columbia, Tennessee, US
DiedMarch 5, 1902(1902-03-05) (aged 35)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
Political partyDemocratic
EducationLehigh University

Life and career edit

Rufus K. Polk was born in Columbia, Tennessee, the son of Confederate States Army Brigadier General Lucius E. Polk and great-nephew of Leonidas Polk. He attended Webb's Academy in Culleoka, Tennessee, graduated from Lehigh University in South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in 1887, and took a post-graduate course in mining engineering.

He settled in Danville, Pennsylvania, and was employed as a chemist. He held supervisory positions with several steel companies and ultimately became engaged in the manufacture of structural iron. He served as first lieutenant of Company F, Twelfth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in the Spanish–American War. He was a delegate to the 1900 Democratic National Convention.

Polk was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-sixth and Fifty-seventh Congresses and served until his death in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

He is buried in Fairview Cemetery in Danville, Pennsylvania.

See also edit

Sources edit

  • United States Congress. "Rufus K. Polk (id: P000410)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  • The Political Graveyard
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 17th congressional district

1899–1902
Succeeded by