Rufus K. Polk

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
Resting placeFairview Cemetery in Danville
Political partyDemocratic
EducationLehigh University

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.

Biography

[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.

Education

[edit]

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.

Career

[edit]

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 was a delegate to the 1900 Democratic National Convention.

Spanish-American War

[edit]

He served as first lieutenant of Company F, Twelfth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in the Spanish–American War.

Congress

[edit]

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

Death and burial

[edit]

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