Walter Tansill Oliver (May 10, 1873 – November 23, 1932) was an American politician and lawyer from Virginia. He served as mayor of Fairfax, Virginia, in 1902. He represented Fairfax County, as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1908 to 1915 and as a member of the Virginia Senate from 1920 to 1924.
Early life
Walter Tansill Oliver was born on May 10, 1873, in Kenmore, Fairfax County, Virginia, to Lucretia A. (née Tansill) and Lewis C. Oliver. He attended public schools in Kenmore and the Potomac Academy in Alexandria. Oliver entered the University of Virginia in 1889. He studied there for two years, and then taught for three years. He entered University of Virginia School of Law in 1895. He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in 1897. He also worked as a law librarian.[1] He was president of the Jefferson Literary Society and was a recipient of the debaters' medal from that organization.[1] He was admitted to the bar on June 18, 1896.[1]
Career
Oliver practiced law in Fairfax.[1]
Oliver served as mayor of Fairfax in 1902.[1] Oliver served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, representing Fairfax, for five sessions: from January 8 to March 27, 1908; from January 12 to March 17, 1910; from January 10 to March 15, 1912; from January 14 to March 20, 1914; and from January 13 to March 19, 1915.[2][3] Oliver served as a member of the Virginia Senate, representing Fairfax, from March 1, 1920, to February 29, 1924. He succeeded Edgar Lee Greever.[4]
Personal life
Oliver married Kate W. Brunback in 1892. They had three sons and one daughter, including Lewis B. B.[1][3][5]
Oliver got into a fight with the brother of his son's wife, Lewis Ritchie. Oliver's son Lewis B. B. was going through marital issues with his wife. After reportedly striking Ritchie with his cane, Oliver was struck in the jaw and fractured his skull on the sidewalk. Oliver died the following day, on November 23, 1932.[5][6] He was buried at the family plot at Kenmore in Fairfax County.[5] In January 1933, Lewis Ritchie was set free for his involvement in Oliver's death.[7]
References
- ^ a b c d e f University of Virginia; its history, influence, equipment and characteristics, with biographical sketches and portraits of founders, benefactors, officers and alumni. Vol. 2. Lewis Publishing Company. 1904. pp. 324–325. Retrieved April 17, 2023 – via Archive.org.
- ^ A register of the General Assembly of Virginia, 1776-1918, and of the Constitutional Conventions. pp. 225, 227, 228, 230. Retrieved April 17, 2023 – via Archive.org.
- ^ a b "Son Jailed Here; Father Dies in Row". The Baltimore Sun. November 24, 1932. p. 9. Retrieved April 17, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Journal of the Senate of the Commonwealth of Virginia Begun and Held at the Capitol in the City of Richmond on Wednesday, January 14, 1920. 1920. Retrieved April 17, 2023 – via Archive.org.
- ^ a b c "Murder Charged to Louis Ritchie". The Evening Star. November 25, 1932. p. 17. Retrieved April 17, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Killed in Row Over Son Held in Jail Here". The Baltimore Sun. November 24, 1932. p. 22. Retrieved April 17, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Slayer of Oliver is Set Free". The Daily Review. January 17, 1933. p. 1. Retrieved April 17, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.