US Congressman. He was raised and educated in Coffeyville, Kansas. In 1941 he enlisted in the Navy for World War II, serving until his discharge in October, 1943. He then attended Topeka's Washburn University, receiving a bachelor's degree in 1946 and a law degree in 1948. Hargis then began a legal practice in Coffeyville, also serving in management positions for the 1950 federal census, eventually becoming responsible for the region that included Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska. From 1953 to 1958 he served as Mayor of Coffeyville. He served as a member of the Arkansas River Basin Committee from 1956-1959, and was a Delegate to the 1960 Democratic national convention. In 1956 he ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat for the US House of Representatives, and in 1958 he ran successfully, serving one term, 1959 to 1961. Hargis was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1960, and served as a Consultant with the the Department of Defense from 1961 to 1962 and the Department of Commerce from 1962 to 1966. In 1965 his estranged wife was arrested in Maryland for the murder of their four young children. She was convicted in 1966 and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Hargis subsequently moved to Florida where he owned and managed title insurance companies and other businesses until retiring in 1985.
US Congressman. He was raised and educated in Coffeyville, Kansas. In 1941 he enlisted in the Navy for World War II, serving until his discharge in October, 1943. He then attended Topeka's Washburn University, receiving a bachelor's degree in 1946 and a law degree in 1948. Hargis then began a legal practice in Coffeyville, also serving in management positions for the 1950 federal census, eventually becoming responsible for the region that included Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska. From 1953 to 1958 he served as Mayor of Coffeyville. He served as a member of the Arkansas River Basin Committee from 1956-1959, and was a Delegate to the 1960 Democratic national convention. In 1956 he ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat for the US House of Representatives, and in 1958 he ran successfully, serving one term, 1959 to 1961. Hargis was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1960, and served as a Consultant with the the Department of Defense from 1961 to 1962 and the Department of Commerce from 1962 to 1966. In 1965 his estranged wife was arrested in Maryland for the murder of their four young children. She was convicted in 1966 and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Hargis subsequently moved to Florida where he owned and managed title insurance companies and other businesses until retiring in 1985.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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