Robert B. Hawley

Robert Bradley Hawley (October 25, 1849 – November 28, 1921) was a businessman and politician from Galveston, Texas, elected as a Republican U.S. Representative (1897–1901) from Texas's 10th congressional district. He won his office in 1896 and 1898 with a plurality, as white voters split between Democratic and Populist party candidates.

Early life and education Born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1849, Hawley attended Catholic parochial schools and the Christian Brothers College there. After his father died, Hawley took on the duties of caring for his mother and siblings while still in his teens. He studied law under a Judge Bowman of Louisiana.

Move to Texas and early career Hawley moved to Galveston in 1875 at the age of 21. Hawley successfully ran for reelection in 1898 for the 56th Congress.

In each election, Hawley triumphed with less than 50% of the vote, due to much of the white vote being split between the Democrats and the new Populist Party. During his four years in Congress, he was the only Republican elected from Texas.

In office when Galveston was destroyed by the powerful 1900 hurricane, Hawley decided not to seek reelection. Hawley also realized the likely effects of the poll tax passed by the Texas Legislature in 1901, which sharply reduced voting by minorities and poor whites. Total voter participation dropped markedly in the state in the early 1900s, essentially ending Republican and Populist competition and leaving elections to be dominated by white Democrats. From 1890 to 1910, all states of the former Confederacy passed measures to disfranchise blacks and exclude them from the political process.

He was succeeded by the Democrat George Farmer Burgess.

Later years and death Hawley returned to his business pursuits in Galveston and helped in rebuilding the city. In 1899, taking advantage of the situation in following the Spanish–American War, Hawley acquired 77,000 acres of land in Cuba and established the Cuban American Sugar Company. He served as its president, adding to his business fortunes following his congressional tenure.

In 1921, he was living at 36 Gramercy Park in New York City with his good friend, artist Arthur G. Learned It has since become a ghost town.

Election results