William A. Oldfield
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William Allan Oldfield (February 4, 1874 – November 19, 1928) was an American lawyer and politician who served as a U.S. representative from Arkansas from 1909 until his death.
Early life
Born in Franklin, Arkansas, Oldfield was the son of blacksmith Milton Oldfield and his wife, Mary Ann (Matheny) Oldfield.Template:Sfn He attended the public schools of Franklin and graduated from Melbourne High School in 1892.Template:Sfn He began attendance at Arkansas College in Batesville.Template:Sfn He graduated in 1896 and became a school teacher and principal in Richmond, Arkansas, while also studying law.Template:Sfn
Military service
In 1898, Oldfield enlisted for the Spanish–American War as a private in Company M, 2nd Arkansas Infantry Regiment.Template:Sfn He was promoted to first sergeant before receiving a commission as a first lieutenant, and he was mustered out in March 1899.Template:Sfn
Career
After returning home, Oldfield graduated from Cumberland University's law school in Lebanon, Tennessee, in 1900, attained admission to the bar, and commenced practice in Batesville.Template:Sfn A Democrat, he was prosecuting attorney of Independence County from 1902 to 1906.Template:Sfn In 1906, Oldfield was an unsuccessful candidate for the U.S. House.Template:Sfn
Congressman
In 1908, Oldfield won election to the 61st Congress.Template:Sfn He was reelected ten times and served from March 4, 1909, until his death.Template:Sfn Oldfield was chairman of the Committee on Patents in the 62nd and 63rd Congresses, and Minority Whip from the 67th through 70th Congress.Template:Sfn In addition, he served on the Ways and Means Committee and served as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.Template:Sfn
Oldfield won reelection to the 71st Congress in 1928, but died before the term started in March 1929.Template:Sfn He was succeeded in Congress by his wife Pearl P. Oldfield.Template:Sfn
Death and burial
Oldfield died in Washington, D.C., on November 19, 1928.Template:Sfn He was buried at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Batesville.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn
Family
In 1901, Oldfield married Fannie Pearl Peden.Template:Sfn They were married until his death, and had no children.Template:Sfn
See also
References
Sources
Internet
Books
External links
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- Template:Find a Grave
- William Allan Oldfield at The Political Graveyard
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Template:USHouseMinWhip Template:USHouseDemWhip Template:U.S. Arkansas Representatives
- 1874 births
- 1928 deaths
- Lyon College alumni
- Cumberland School of Law alumni
- American military personnel of the Spanish–American War
- District attorneys in Arkansas
- Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Arkansas
- United States Army officers
- 20th-century United States representatives
- Chairs of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee