William A. Oldfield

William A. Oldfield
Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Arkansas's 2nd district
In office
March 4, 1909 – November 19, 1928
Preceded byStephen Brundidge, Jr.
Succeeded byPearl P. Oldfield
Personal details
Born(1874-02-04)February 4, 1874
DiedNovember 19, 1928(1928-11-19) (aged 54)
Resting placeOak Lawn Cemetery, Batesville, Arkansas
PartyDemocratic
Spouse
(m. 1901, died)
Alma materArkansas College
Cumberland School of Law
ProfessionAttorney
Military service
AllegianceUnited States of America
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1898–1899
Rankfirst lieutenant
Unit2nd Arkansas Infantry Regiment
Battles/warsSpanish–American War

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