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.[1] He attended the public schools of Franklin and graduated from Melbourne High School in 1892.[2] He began attendance at Arkansas College in Batesville.[1] He graduated in 1896 and became a school teacher and principal in Richmond, Arkansas, while also studying law.[1]
Military service
In 1898, Oldfield enlisted for the Spanish–American War as a private in Company M, 2nd Arkansas Infantry Regiment.[1] He was promoted to first sergeant before receiving a commission as a first lieutenant, and he was mustered out in March 1899.[1]
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.[1] A Democrat, he was prosecuting attorney of Independence County from 1902 to 1906.[1] In 1906, Oldfield was an unsuccessful candidate for the U.S. House.[1]
Congressman
In 1908, Oldfield won election to the 61st Congress.[1] He was reelected ten times and served from March 4, 1909, until his death.[1] Oldfield was chairman of the Committee on Patents in the 62nd and 63rd Congresses, and Minority Whip from the 67th through 70th Congress.[1] In addition, he served on the Ways and Means Committee and served as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.[1]
Oldfield won reelection to the 71st Congress in 1928, but died before the term started in March 1929.[1] He was succeeded in Congress by his wife Pearl P. Oldfield.[1]
Death and burial
Oldfield died in Washington, D.C., on November 19, 1928.[1] He was buried at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Batesville.[1][3]
Family
In 1901, Oldfield married Fannie Pearl Peden.[1] They were married until his death, and had no children.[1]
See also
References
Sources
Internet
- "William Allan Oldfield (1874–1928)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. Little Rock, AR: Central Arkansas Library System. 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
Books
- Spencer, Thomas E. (1998). Where They're Buried. Baltimore, MD: Clearfield Company. p. 152. ISBN 978-0-8063-4823-0.
- United States House of Representatives (1929). Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the 71st Congress. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
External links
- United States Congress. "William A. Oldfield (id: O000062)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- William A. Oldfield at Find a Grave
- William Allan Oldfield at The Political Graveyard
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