Representative from Woodbury county. Born Page county, Iowa, June 28, 1866, son of James B. and Eugenia N. Short, who came to Page county 1855 and 1857. Grew up on farm in Colfax township, Page county. Worked on farm, attended rural school, town school in College Springs, and taught in rural school, until twenty-two years of age. Graduated Beloit College, Wisconsin, 1893, earning his own way in school. Phi Beta Kappa. Three years in Yale University. Married Mary Eliza Morse of Racine, Wis., 1896. Pastor Congregational church, Evansville, Wis., 1896-1903; Beacon Hill church, Kansas City, Mo., 1903-1910; First Congregational church, Sioux City, Iowa, March 1, 1910—Sept. 1, 1914; Central Independent church, Sioux City, Sept. 1, 1914, to Dec. 31, 1918. Mayor of Sioux City, April 1, 1918, to April 1, 1924. Received official government recognition for war work on liberty loans and other activities. Member Sons of Revolution, and of Sons of Veterans. Founder and publisher of the "Unionist and Public Forum". Became interested in union labor organization while in college; chaplain of central labor union while in Kansas City. Since coming to Sioux City, member of chamber of commerce, and active in labor and farm organization. Elected representative 1930 on republican ticket. One daughter, Mrs. Emily Vesta (R. F.) Hunter, of Sioux City; two adopted sons, Burton Harrison and John Wallace. Author of books and magazine articles.