William A. Ekwall

William Alexander Ekwall (June 14, 1887 – October 16, 1956) was an American politician, lawyer, and journalist who served one term as a United States representative from Oregon from 1935 to 1937. From 1942 to 1956, he served as a judge of the United States Customs Court.

Education and career

Born in Ludington, Michigan to Alexander and Emilie Ekwall, both Swedish immigrants, Ekwall moved to Klamathon, California with his parents in 1893. In 1902, the town of Klamathon was destroyed in a massive fire, and the Ekwalls eventually made their way to Portland, Oregon in 1906. With several third-party candidates in the race, Ekwall earned a narrow 41%–38% plurality over Gleason and a seat in the United States House of Representatives of the 74th United States Congress. In Congress, Ekwall was known for a somewhat belligerent style. He once referred to Representative Wright Patman as a "stool pigeon" and Representative Marion Zioncheck as a "jackass."

Defeat Ekwall sought re-election in 1936. He was challenged by Nan Wood Honeyman, a Portland community activist and family friend of President and Mrs. Roosevelt. Honeyman's aggressive door-to-door campaign, coupled with Roosevelt's landslide re-election, helped her defeat Ekwall, earning 51% of the vote to Ekwall's 33%. Following his loss, Ekwall returned to his Portland law practice, serving as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1940. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 9, 1942, and received his commission on February 13, 1942. He was interred in Portland Memorial Cemetery.

Ekwall and his wife Lina and the couple had two daughters.