U.S. Congressman. Born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, he graduated from the law department of the University of Mississippi, in 1918, was admitted to the bar and commenced to practice law in Memphis, Tennessee. He was city judge of Memphis, (1923-27), plus vice mayor and commissioner of public safety of Memphis, (1928-40). In 1940, he was elected as a Democrat to the Seventy-sixth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Walter C. Chandler, reelected to the Seventy-seventh Congress and to the next eleven succeeding Congresses, serving until 1965. In 1954 he was one of 5 Congressmen wounded when Puerto Rican Nationalists opened fire from the Visitors' Gallery in the House of Representatives. After his term, he practiced law in Washington, D.C., until his death at age 72.
U.S. Congressman. Born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, he graduated from the law department of the University of Mississippi, in 1918, was admitted to the bar and commenced to practice law in Memphis, Tennessee. He was city judge of Memphis, (1923-27), plus vice mayor and commissioner of public safety of Memphis, (1928-40). In 1940, he was elected as a Democrat to the Seventy-sixth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Walter C. Chandler, reelected to the Seventy-seventh Congress and to the next eleven succeeding Congresses, serving until 1965. In 1954 he was one of 5 Congressmen wounded when Puerto Rican Nationalists opened fire from the Visitors' Gallery in the House of Representatives. After his term, he practiced law in Washington, D.C., until his death at age 72.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
