James H. Torrens

Who was James H. Torrens?

James H. Torrens was a congressman and influential New York Tammany Hall figure in the first half of the 20th century.

Torrens served as Tammany/Democratic leader of New York's "old" Twenty-First congressional district, 1933-1947. In a special vote held February 29, 1944, Torrens achieved election to the Seventy-eighth Congress as the Democrat/American Labor Party Candidate from the 21st, filling the vacancy caused by the resignation of Joseph A. Gavagan. Subsequently, Torrens won reelection to the Seventy-ninth Congress, serving until January 3, 1947. Torrens did not run again in 1946.

Born in New York City on September 12, 1874, Torrens attended grammar and high schools in that town. During the early 1930s, Torrens served as vice-president and general director of the Washington Heights Chamber of Commerce. Along with his political activities, Torrens was also for many years the vice president and treasurer of the D. Emil Klein Company, cigar manufacturers, where he was affiliated until 1933. Torrens died at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, New York City, on April 5, 1952.