William W. Cohen

William Wolfe Cohen (September 6, 1874 – October 12, 1940) was an American businessman and politician who served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 17th congressional district from 1927 to 1929.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, to Russian-born Bernard Cohen and German-born Frederica (née Cronocher), Cohen attended public schools. He associated with his father in the shoe manufacturing business until 1903, when he engaged in banking and brokerage. Cohen was a member of the New York Stock Exchange and director of the New York Cotton Exchange. He served as vice chairman of the Public Schools Athletic League, and was an honorary deputy chief of the New York City Fire Department.

Cohen was elected as a Democrat to the 70th United States Congress. He served for a single term from March 4, 1927, to March 3, 1929, and was not a candidate for re-nomination for a second term in 1928. He resumed his former business pursuits in New York City and strongly supported a boycott against Nazi Germany in the 1930s, declaring that "any Jew buying one penny's worth of merchandise made in Germany is a traitor to his people." He died on October 12, 1940. In keeping with his Jewish faith, Cohen was interred in Mount Neboh Cemetery in Brooklyn.

Electoral history + Year Office Party Votes Result Swing . Total % . 1926 U.S. House 17th Democratic 22,401 50.36 1st Gain Source: Clerk of the U.S. House Election Statistics