Watkins Moorman Abbitt
| Watkins Moorman Abbitt | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 4th district | |
|
In office February 17, 1948 – January 3, 1973 | |
| Preceded by | Patrick H. Drewry |
| Succeeded by | Robert Daniel |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
May 21, 1908 Lynchburg, Virginia |
| Died |
July 13, 1998 (aged 90) Lynchburg, Virginia |
| Resting place | Appomattox, Virginia |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Corinne Hancock |
| Children | Watkins Abbitt, Jr. |
| Alma mater | University of Richmond (LL.B.) |
| Profession | lawyer, congressman |
| Religion | Baptist |
Watkins Moorman Abbitt (May 21, 1908 – July 13, 1998) was an American politician and lawyer. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Virginia from February 17, 1948 to January 3, 1973.
Biography
Abbitt was born in Lynchburg, Virginia to George Francis Abbitt and Otway C. Moorman Abbitt. He graduated from Appomattox Agricultural High School in Appomattox, Virginia in 1925. He earned an LL.B. from the University of Richmond in 1931 and began the practice of law in Appomattox.[1] He married Corinne Hancock on March 20, 1937. He was the Commonwealth's attorney of Appomattox County from 1932 to 1948 and a member of the Virginia Constitutional Convention in 1945.[2]
Abbitt served as a delegate to the 1964 Democratic National Convention. He was a bank executive, and then elected as a Democrat to the United States Congress, by special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Representative Patrick H. Drewry, and was reelected to the twelve succeeding Congresses (February 17, 1948 – January 3, 1973).[3] He was a member of the agriculture committee.
He died from leukemia in Lynchburg, Virginia and was interred at Liberty Cemetery, Appomattox, Virginia.[4]
His son, Watkins Abbitt, Jr.,[5] was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1986 to 2012.[6]
Elections
- 1948; Abbitt was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in a special election unopposed and was re-elected in the general election unopposed.
- 1950; Abbitt was re-elected unopposed.
- 1952; Abbitt was re-elected unopposed.
- 1954; Abbitt was re-elected unopposed.
- 1956; Abbitt was re-elected unopposed.
- 1958; Abbitt was re-elected with 87.15% of the vote, defeating Independent Frank M. McCann.
- 1960; Abbitt was re-elected unopposed.
- 1962; Abbitt was re-elected unopposed.
- 1964; Abbitt was re-elected after tying Independent S.W. Tucker in the general election.
- 1966; Abbitt was re-elected with 75.3% of the vote, defeating Independent Edward J. Silverman.
- 1968; Abbitt was re-elected with 71.52% of the vote, defeating now-Republican Tucker.
- 1970; Abbitt was re-elected with 61.02% of the vote, defeating Independent Ben Ragsdale and Republican James M. Helms.
References
- ↑ "Watkins M. Abbitt". NNDB. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
- ↑ "ABBITT, Watkins Moorman, (1908 - 1998)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
- ↑ "Rep. Watkins Abbitt". govtrack.us. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
- ↑ "Watkins Moorman Abbitt". Find A Grave. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
- ↑ "Abbitt, Abbitt, Watkins Moorman, Jr. (b. 1944)". The Political Graveyardaccessdate= November 4, 2012.
- ↑ "Abbitt, Watkins Moorman, Jr. (b. 1944)". The Political Graveyardaccessdate= November 4, 2012.
Further reading
- Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–1989: Bicentennial Edition. United States: Government Printing Office, 1989. ISBN 0-16-006384-1
- Who's Who in America", 130th Edition (1958–1959).
External links
- Watkins Moorman Abbitt at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Find A Grave
- The Political Graveyard
- govtrack.us
- NNDB
| United States House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Patrick H. Drewry |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 4th congressional district 1948–1973 |
Succeeded by Robert Daniel |
|