Ellsworth, Harris, 1899-1986

Harris Ellsworth (1899-1986) was a member of the 78th-84th Congresses from the 4th Oregon District. From 1957 to 1986, he served as Chairman of the U.S. Civil Service Commission. He was also editor, manager, and part owner of Roseburg (Oreg.) Daily News-Review, and manager of radio station KRNR. In his earlier career, Ellsworth worked as the advertising manager of the Eugene Register form 1923 to 1925, and then manager of the 4-L Lumber News from 1926 to 1928. During 1928, Ellsworth was a member of the Oregon State Editorial Association. Ellsworth was an appointed member of the Oregon State Senate for the 1941 session.

Born in 1899, Mathew "Harris" Ellsworth served as the first representative from the Oregon Fourth District, 78th to 84th Congresses. He was chairman of the U.S. Civil Service Commission, 1957-1959. He died in 1986.

Mathew "Harris" Ellsworth was born in Hoquiam, Grays Harbor County, Washington on September 17, 1899. He moved from Hoquiam to Eugene and later to Wendling, Oregon with his parents. Ellsworth attended public schools and served in the Student Army Training Corps during the World War I. He graduated in journalism from the University of Oregon in 1922. In 1923 he was advertising manager of the Eugene newspaper. He worked in the lumber business from 1923-1925 as manager of a lumber-industry publication from 1926-1928. In 1928 and 1929 he was an associate professor in journalism at the University of Oregon. Since 1929 he was publisher and co-owner of the Roseburg, Oregon News-Review . He was appointed to the State senate in 1941 and was subsequently elected as a Republican to the 78th Congress in 1943. He served in Congress through 1957. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1956 to the 85th Congress. In 1957 he was appointed by President Eisenhower as chairman of the Civil Service Commission for a two-year term and served to February 28, 1959. He returned to Oregon and resumed his newspaper business profession and became a real estate broker. In 1975 he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico and lived there until his death on February 7, 1986. He was interned at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Albuquerque.