E. Spencer Blackburn
American politician and lawyer (1868–1912)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Edmond Spencer Blackburn (September 22, 1868 – March 10, 1912) was an American politician and lawyer. A Republican, he was a member of the United States House of Representatives from North Carolina.
E. Spencer Blackburn | |
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 8th district | |
| In office March 4, 1901 – March 3, 1903 | |
| Preceded by | Romulus Z. Linney |
| Succeeded by | Theodore F. Kluttz |
| In office March 4, 1905 – March 3, 1907 | |
| Preceded by | Theodore F. Kluttz |
| Succeeded by | Richard N. Hackett |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Edmond Spencer Blackburn September 22, 1868 |
| Died | March 10, 1912 (aged 43) |
| Party | Republican |
| Relations | Alton B. Parker (uncle-in-law) |
| Occupation | Politician, lawyer |
Early life
Blackburn was born on September 22, 1868,[1] on a farm[2] near Boone, North Carolina. He was educated at common schools[3] and at Oak Hill Academy. At age 20, he began teaching at Cove Creek Academy.[2]
Career
He read law, and in May 1890, was admitted to the bar,[4] after which he began practicing law in Jefferson. In 1894 and 1895, he was clerk of the North Carolina Senate.[3] In 1898, he was apponted assistant attorney of the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina by President William McKinley.[2] He lived in Wilkesboro.[5] Blackburn was a Republican. He was a candidate for Presidential elector during the 1892 election. In 1896 and 1897, he represented Ashe County in the North Carolina House of Representatives,[2] serving as Speaker pro tempore in 1897. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives from March 4, 1901, to March 3 1903, and again from March 4, 1905, to March 3, 1907, representing North Carolina's 8th district.[3]
During his first term, Blackburn's private secretary was Charles H. Cowles.[5] He lost the election between his two terms, with the loss having stemmed from gerrymandering.[2] In the election following his second term, he was not chosen to run.[3] He was a delegate to the 1904 Republican National Convention.[5] Politically, he was conservative.[6]
After serving in Congress, Blackburn continued practicing law in Greensboro.[3] There, he established the Weekly Tar Heel, a local newspaper, in opposition to the area's predominant Republican force.[2] He was a trustee of the University of North Carolina.[7]
Personal life and death
During his first term in the House, Blackburn married Louise Le Vaum Parker,[8] the niece of Alton B. Parker, having two children with her.[2] He subsequently moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma then Elizabethton, Tennessee. He died in the latter, on March 10, 1912, aged 43,[3] from a myocardial infraction,[2] and was buried at Old Hopewell Cemetery, near Boone.[3]