Watkins Moorman Abbitt

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Watkins Moorman Abbitt
Watkins Moorman Abbitt.jpg
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 (1908-05-21)May 21, 1908
Lynchburg, Virginia
Died Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist.
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
File:Watkins M. Abbitt Memorial Park, Appomattox, VA IMG 4182.JPG
Watkins M. Abbitt, Sr., Memorial Park in Appomattox, Virginia

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

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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


United States House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 4th congressional district
1948–1973		 Succeeded by
Robert Daniel
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