Harold Charles Ostertag (June 22, 1896 – May 2, 1985) was an American politician, a United States Representative for the 41st, 39th, and 37th Congressional Districts of New York.

Harold Charles Ostertag
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from New York
In office
January 3, 1951 – January 3, 1965
Preceded byJames W. Wadsworth, Jr.
Succeeded byBarber B. Conable, Jr.
Constituency41st district (1951–53)
39th district (1953–63)
37th district (1963–65)
Member of the
New York State Assembly
from Wyoming County
In office
January 1, 1932 – November 7, 1950
Preceded byJoe R. Hanley
Succeeded byHarold L. Peet
Personal details
Born(1896-06-22)June 22, 1896
Attica, New York, U.S.
DiedMay 2, 1985(1985-05-02) (aged 88)
Pompano Beach, Broward County, Florida, U.S.
Resting placeForest Hill Cemetery
Attica, New York, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseGrace J. Ostertag
Alma materChamberlain Military Institute
Perry, New York
ProfessionRailroad executive
Legislator
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1917-1919
RankSecond Lieutenant
Unit55th Pioneer Infantry, 27th Division
Battles/warsWorld War I
France

Life

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Ostertag was born on June 22, 1896, in Attica, New York, attended the public schools, and graduated from Chamberlain Military Institute in Perry, New York in 1915. He worked for the New York Central Railroad from 1917 to 1950 and became assistant to the vice president of the traffic department.

During World War I, Ostertag enlisted in the New York Army National Guard's 74th Infantry Regiment. This organization was federalized as the 55th Pioneer Infantry Regiment, a unit of the 27th Division. Ostertag, who had attained the rank of Sergeant, completed officer training and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant while serving with the 55th in France. After the war, he was active in the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars and entered politics as a Republican.

Ostertag was a member of the New York State Assembly (Wyoming Co.) in 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939–40, 1941–42, 1943–44, 1945–46, 1947–48 and 1949–50.

He was elected as a Republican to the 82nd, 83rd, 84th, 85th, 86th, 87th and 88th United States Congresses, holding office from January 3, 1951, to January 3, 1965. He did not run for re-election in 1964. Ostertag voted in favor of the Civil Rights Acts of 1957,[1] 1960,[2] and 1964,[3] as well as the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.[4]

Ostertag was a delegate to the 1952, 1956 and 1960 Republican National Conventions.

Ostertag was a resident of Perry until he died in Pompano Beach, Florida, on May 2, 1985. He was interred at Forest Hill Cemetery in Attica.

Ostertag's wife Grace was Grand Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star and first vice president of the Congressional Club.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "HR 6127. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1957". GovTrack.us.
  2. ^ "HR 8601. PASSAGE".
  3. ^ "H.R. 7152. PASSAGE".
  4. ^ "S.J. RES. 29. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO BAN THE USE OF POLL TAX AS A REQUIREMENT FOR VOTING IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS". GovTrack.us.
  5. ^ Historical Wyoming, Volumes 10-12. Wyoming County Historian, 1956 - Wyoming County (N.Y.). 1956. p. 85. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
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New York State Assembly
Preceded by New York State Assembly
Wyoming County

1932–1950
Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 41st congressional district

1951–1953
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 39th congressional district

1953–1963
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 37th congressional district

1963–1965
Succeeded by