William Allan Oldfield

William Allan Oldfield (February 4, 1874 – November 19, 1928) was an American lawyer and politician. He is best known for his service as a U.S. Representative from Arkansas from 1909 until his death.

For the United Kingdom politician of the 1940s and 1950s, see William Oldfield (UK politician).

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 by	Stephen Brundidge, Jr.
Succeeded by	Pearl P. Oldfield
Personal details
Born	(1874-02-04)February 4, 1874 Franklin, Arkansas
Died	November 19, 1928(1928-11-19) (aged 54) Washington, D.C.
Resting place	Oak Lawn Cemetery, Batesville, Arkansas
Citizenship	United States
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Pearl P. Oldfield (m. 1901)
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

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 from 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 School of Law 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

• List of United States Congress members who died in office (1900–49)

References

1. "William Allan Oldfield (1874–1928)".
2. Congressional Record, p. 3901.
3. Where They're Buried, p. 152.

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 Allan Oldfield (id: O000062)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• William Allan Oldfield at Find a Grave
• William Allan Oldfield at The Political Graveyard

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Stephen Brundidge, Jr.	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arkansas's 2nd congressional district March 4, 1909 – November 19, 1928	Succeeded by Pearl P. Oldfield