Biography

01/04/1838 - 02/23/1915

Henry J. "Harry" McAteer (D33) Franklin and Huntingdon Counties 1885-1888

Early Life:

Henry J. "Harry" McAteer, born January 4, 1838, West Township, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania;  son of Jonathan and Mary Noble McAteer; worked fathers farm; teacher; employed, Pennsylvania Canal; passenger conductor, superintendent, Pennsylvania Railroad, 1859-1869; married, Clara Bucher Houtz McAteer, 1865, daughter; general superintendent, Texas and Pacific Railroad, 1869; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1870-1871, not a candidate for reelection, 1872 term; vice president, Betz Coal Company; secretary, Democratic State Committee; unsuccessful campaign, Chief Clerk, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 1883; elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1885-1888; gubernatorial appointee, World’s Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893; appointed, surveyor, port of Philadelphia, 1893-1897; died, February 23, 1915, never recovered, injuries, automobile accident, October 1914, Alexandria, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania; interment, Alexandria Presbyterian Cemetery, Alexandria, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Politics:

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, Huntingdon, Juniata and Mifflin Counties, 1870-1871, not a candidate for reelection, 1872 term.  

Secretary, Democratic State Committee.

Unsuccessful campaign, Chief Clerk, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 1883.

Elected, Democrat, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1885-1888; committee assignments, Appropriations, Banks, Education, Finance, Municipal Affairs, Public Printing, Railroads, Retrenchment And Reform.

Appointee, Governor Robert Emory Pattison, World’s Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893.

Continued Government Service/National Politics:

Appointee, President Stephen Grover Cleveland, surveyor, port of Philadelphia, 1893-1897.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives Biography:

https://archives.house.state.pa.us/people/member-biography?ID=7455

Legacy:

Wife, Clara P. Houtz McAteer, youngest daughter, Doctor Daniel Houtz, founder, Houtzdale, Clearfield County.

Cited:

Smull’s Legislative Handbook, (1888) Cochran, T.B., (Editor) Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pages 671, 676-678, Biographical Sketches of Senators, page 644.

Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) February 25, 1915.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/120324786/harry-j-mcateer

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