Congressman William H. Harsha was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, on January 1, 1921. He married Rosemary Spellerberg, and has four sons: Bill, Mark, Bruce, and Brian. He received his A.B. degree from Kenyon College and his LL.B. degree from Western Reserve University.
Harsha is a World War II veteran, having served in the Marine Corps. He held the position of assistant city solicitor in Portsmouth from 1947-1951. He was Scioto County Prosecutor from 1951-1955.
Harsha was elected to the 87th Congress, November 8, 1960, as Republican representative from the Ohio Sixth Congressional District. He was re-elected to Congress for each succeeding term through the 96th. He held the position of ranking Republican on the House Public Works and Transportation Committee at the time of his retirement.
From the guide to the William H. Harsha Papers, 1958-1980, (Ohio University)
