William J. Cary

William Joseph Cary (March 22, 1865 – January 2, 1934) was a U.S. Representative from Wisconsin.

Background
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Cary was educated in the public schools and St. John's Cathedral High School. He was left an orphan at the age of eleven, the eldest of six siblings; he dropped out of school and became a "cash boy" at Chapman's department store. He studied telegraphy and was employed as a telegraph operator 1883-1895. He engaged in the brokerage business 1895-1905.

Elected office
Cary was elected a member of the board of aldermen of Milwaukee in 1900 and was reelected in 1902 for the term ending in 1904. He served as sheriff of Milwaukee County from 1904 to 1906.

Cary was elected as a Republican to the Sixtieth Congress, representing Wisconsin's 4th congressional district. He was re-elected in 1908 and 1910. In 1912, he initially sought renomination as a Republican, but switched and announced he would run for the Democratic nomination as a "non-partisan" candidate. He won the Democratic nomination and defeated the Republican nominee in the general election. He won two more terms, running as a Republican in 1914 and 1916, and ultimately served from (March 4, 1907, to March 3, 1919).

On Apr 5, 1917, he was one of 50 representatives who voted against declaring war on Germany.

He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1918 to the Sixty-sixth Congress, losing the Republican nomination to John C. Kleczka. He served as county clerk of Milwaukee County from 1921 to 1933.

Death and interment
He died in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, January 2, 1934, and is interred at Calvary Cemetery.