William A. Oldfield | |
---|---|
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives from Arkansas's 2nd district | |
In office March 4, 1909 – November 19, 1928 | |
Preceded by | Stephen Brundidge, Jr. |
Succeeded by | Pearl P. Oldfield |
Personal details | |
Born | Franklin, Arkansas | February 4, 1874
Died | November 19, 1928 Washington, D.C. | (aged 54)
Resting place | Oak Lawn Cemetery, Batesville, Arkansas |
Citizenship | United States |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | |
Alma mater |
Arkansas College Cumberland School of Law |
Profession | Attorney |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Branch/service | United States Army |
Years of service | 1898–1899 |
Rank | first lieutenant |
Unit | 2nd Arkansas Infantry Regiment |
Battles/wars | Spanish–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.
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]
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]
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]
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]
Oldfield died in Washington, D.C., on November 19, 1928. [1] He was buried at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Batesville. [1] [3]
In 1901, Oldfield married Fannie Pearl Peden. [1] They were married until his death, and had no children. [1]