William Emerson BARRETT, Congress, MA (1858-1906)

BARRETT William Emerson , a Representative from Massachusetts; born in Melrose, Middlesex County, Mass., December 29, 1858; attended the public schools; was graduated from Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., in 1880; assistant editor of the St. Albans Daily Messenger; joined the staff of the Boston Daily Advertiser in 1882; Washington correspondent of the Boston Advertiser 1882-1886; recalled to Boston to become editor in chief and in 1888 became chief proprietor and manager of the Boston Daily Advertiser and the Boston Evening Record; member of the State house of representatives 1887-1892 and served as speaker the last five years; elected as a Republican to the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Congresses (March 4, 1895-March 3, 1899); declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1898; returned to Boston and resumed active management of his newspaper interests; president of the Union Trust Co. of Boston; died in Newton, Mass., February 12, 1906; interment in Newton Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present