E. Harold Cluett

Ernest Harold Cluett (July 13, 1874 – February 4, 1954) was an American businessman and politician from Troy, New York. A Republican, he was most notable for his service as a United States representative from 1937 to 1943.

Cluett was a native of Troy, and was educated at The Albany Academy, Williams College, and Christ Church, Oxford. He then joined his family's business, clothing manufacturers Cluett Peabody & Company. Cluett served successively as the company's treasurer, vice president, and chairman of the board. In addition to his business career, Cluett was active in government and civic causes, including promoting improvements to the Port of Albany–Rensselaer and Hudson River. He was a candidate for presidential elector in 1912, and was an elector in 1916. In 1934, he was an unsuccessful candidate for the United States Senate.

In 1936, Cluett was a successful candidate for the U.S. House. He was reelected twice and served from 1937 to 1943. During his congressional service, Cluett secured federal approval for the waterways improvements he had long supported, as well as new post office buildings for Troy and several nearby towns. In addition, he obtained passage of measures for flood control and soil erosion control in upstate New York.

After leaving Congress, Cluett lived in retirement in Troy and in Palm Beach, Florida. He died in Troy on February 4, 1954. Cluett was buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Troy.

Early life Ernest Harold Cluett was born in Troy, New York on July 13, 1874, a son of George Bywater Cluett and Amanda (Rockwell) Cluett. He attended the public schools and graduated from The Albany Academy in 1892. In 1896, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Williams College, where he was a member of Delta Psi (St. Anthony Hall).

Business and civic career From 1900 to 1916, Cluett served as treasurer of Cluett Peabody & Company, his family's clothing manufacturing company. He became a company vice president in 1916, and served until 1929.

Political career A Republican, in 1912, Cluett was a candidate for presidential elector; he was pledged to incumbent William Howard Taft, but New York was carried by the Democratic nominee, Woodrow Wilson. In 1924, he was a delegate to the National Rivers and Harbors Congress that advocated for commercial improvements to America's waterways.

In 1934, Cluett was an unsuccessful candidate for election to the United States Senate. They were the parents of three sons and three daughters—John, William, Gorham, Margaret (Mrs. Page Chapman), Ann ("Nancy") (Mrs. Nelson M. Burroughs), and Jean.

Cluett married Catharine Haven ReQua in 1946; she was the widow of diplomat Stewart Johnson.