Rufus King Polk (August 23, 1866 – March 5, 1902) was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania from 1899 to 1902.
Biography
Rufus K. Polk was born in Columbia, Tennessee, the son of Confederate States Army Brigadier General Lucius E. Polk and great-nephew of Leonidas Polk.
Education
He attended Webb's Academy in Culleoka, Tennessee, graduated from Lehigh University in South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in 1887, and took a post-graduate course in mining engineering.
Career
He settled in Danville, Pennsylvania, and was employed as a chemist. He held supervisory positions with several steel companies and ultimately became engaged in the manufacture of structural iron.
He was a delegate to the 1900 Democratic National Convention.
Spanish-American War
He served as first lieutenant of Company F, Twelfth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in the Spanish–American War.
Congress
Polk was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-sixth and Fifty-seventh Congresses and served until his death in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Death and burial
He is buried in Fairview Cemetery in Danville, Pennsylvania.
See also
Sources
- United States Congress. "Rufus K. Polk (id: P000410)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- The Political Graveyard