Biography.guide
Home › People › Politician › Jonathan S. Willis
Portrait of Jonathan S. Willis

Jonathan S. Willis

1830 – 1903

American politician

Don't just read it — keep itBiographies to ownE-book · Audio · Video From $7 →

About Jonathan S. Willis

Lived 1830 – 1903 (aged 73). Jonathan S. Willis was an American politician.

Jonathan Spencer Willis (April 5, 1830 – November 24, 1903) was an American politician from Milford in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Republican Party, and served as U.S. Representative from Delaware.

Early life and family Willis was born in Oxford, Maryland, attended the district schools there and studied under private tutors.

Willis married twice. To Annie Barratt Townsend (1843–1885), they had one daughter, Elizabeth Townsend Willis (1864–1934). And to Edith Gillespie (1855–1914), they had one son Jonathan Spencer Willis Jr. (1892–1957).

Professional and political career He taught school seven years and then entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, serving charges in Maryland, Delaware, Philadelphia, New York City, and Stamford, Connecticut. He retired from the ministry in 1884 and settled on a farm near Milford and engaged in fruit growing.

Willis was an unsuccessful Republican candidate for election in 1892 to the 53rd Congress, but was elected to the 54th Congress, serving from March 4, 1895, to March 3, 1897. He was an unsuccessful candidate, however, for reelection in 1896 to the 55th Congress, and returned to the full effort of agricultural pursuits.

Death and legacy He died in Milford and was buried in the Barratt's Chapel Cemetery near Frederica, Delaware.

Almanac Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. U.S. Representatives took office March 4 and have a two-year term.

+ Public offices Office Type Location Began office Ended office NotesU.S. RepresentativeLegislature WashingtonMarch 4, 1895March 3, 1897

+ United States Congressional service Dates Congress Chamber Majority President Committees Class/District1895–189754thU.S. HouseDemocraticGrover Clevelandat-large

Biography shop

Don’t just read it —
keep it.

Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.

  • E-book
  • Audio
  • Video
Browse the shop — from $7

Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free

Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Positions held
United States representative
Also known as
Jonathan Spencer Willis

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Jonathan S. Willis's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Jonathan S. Willis?

American politician (1830–1903)

When was Jonathan S. Willis born?

Jonathan S. Willis was born on 5 April 1830 in Oxford.

When did Jonathan S. Willis die?

Jonathan S. Willis died on 24 November 1903 in Milford.

What was Jonathan S. Willis's occupation?

Jonathan S. Willis was a politician.

What nationality was Jonathan S. Willis?

Jonathan S. Willis was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Jonathan S. Willis

· Wikidata: Q1703296

· DBpedia: Jonathan S. Willis

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jonathan S. Willis. https://biography.guide/jonathan-s-willis/

MLA: "Jonathan S. Willis." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jonathan-s-willis/.

Chicago: "Jonathan S. Willis." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jonathan-s-willis/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-25 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Page generated 2026-09-27 05:12 UTC