Governor of Alabama. A member of the Democratic party, he served as Alabama's 46th governor for one term from January 1951 until January 1955. The youngest child of a local drug store, proprietor, he attended Starke University School in Montgomery, Alabama for two years before switching to Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) in Auburn, Alabama where he studied electrical engineering and dropped out after only one year. Over the next several years he worked different jobs and was working for a radio parts store in Montgomery when he saw the potential for radio in his state. He then pursued a career in radio broadcasting, during which time he owned the Southern Radio Service (1928 until 1930) and served as president of the Montgomery Broadcasting Radio Station WSAF (1935 to 1939). In 1935 Governor Bibb Graves appointed him chairman of Alabama's Rural Electrification Authority and he was later elected to Alabama's Public Service Commission. In 1946 he made a bid for the Democratic nomination for governor but finished last in the primary race. In 1950 he ran for the Democratic nomination again and was successful, and went on to be elected Alabama's governor. During his term, he oversaw the creation of Alabama's Education Television Commission and pushed for increased funding for roads and education. He did not seek re-election in 1954 and after suffering a serious heart attack in November of that year, he did not return to his office. Following the completion of his term, he returned to private life and died from a stroke at the age of 63.
Governor of Alabama. A member of the Democratic party, he served as Alabama's 46th governor for one term from January 1951 until January 1955. The youngest child of a local drug store, proprietor, he attended Starke University School in Montgomery, Alabama for two years before switching to Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) in Auburn, Alabama where he studied electrical engineering and dropped out after only one year. Over the next several years he worked different jobs and was working for a radio parts store in Montgomery when he saw the potential for radio in his state. He then pursued a career in radio broadcasting, during which time he owned the Southern Radio Service (1928 until 1930) and served as president of the Montgomery Broadcasting Radio Station WSAF (1935 to 1939). In 1935 Governor Bibb Graves appointed him chairman of Alabama's Rural Electrification Authority and he was later elected to Alabama's Public Service Commission. In 1946 he made a bid for the Democratic nomination for governor but finished last in the primary race. In 1950 he ran for the Democratic nomination again and was successful, and went on to be elected Alabama's governor. During his term, he oversaw the creation of Alabama's Education Television Commission and pushed for increased funding for roads and education. He did not seek re-election in 1954 and after suffering a serious heart attack in November of that year, he did not return to his office. Following the completion of his term, he returned to private life and died from a stroke at the age of 63.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Persons memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
