Cecil Fielding White (December 12, 1900 – March 29, 1992) was an American farmer and politician. As a Democrat, White served as the U.S. representative for California's 9th congressional district for one term, from 1949 to 1951.[1] White was a cotton broker and owned his own ranch before getting into politics at the age of 47, and defeating seven-term incumbent Republican Bertrand W. Gearhart.[2]
Cecil F. White | |
|---|---|
.jpg) White, c. 1949 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 9th district | |
| In office January 3, 1949 – January 3, 1951 | |
| Preceded by | Bertrand W. Gearhart |
| Succeeded by | Allan O. Hunter |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 12, 1900 Temple, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | March 29, 1992 (aged 91) San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Mildred Willis |
| Children | 4 |
| Parents |
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| Occupation |
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| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1916–1919 |
| Rank | sergeant |
| Conflict | Mexican Expedition World War I |
Background
editWhite was born in Temple, Texas, on December 12, 1900, the son of James Bernard and Massie (née Bedford) White.[3] His family moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where White grew up and went through the city's public schooling system.[4] At the age of sixteen, he joined the Arkansas Army National Guard and served on the border with Mexico during the Pancho Villa Expedition. During World War I, White fought in France as a sergeant in the 142nd Field Artillery Regiment,[4] After the war, White worked in the Los Angeles office of a cotton broker and later worked with cotton mills in Arkansas, California and Tennessee.[4] After going back to California, he became the owner and operator of his own ranch, under his name in Devils Den, California.[4]
He married Mildred Willis, and they had four children: Millicent, Donald, Douglas, and Bertram.[5]
Politics
editAs a 47-year-old cotton rancher, White ran for the United States House of Representatives seat in California's 9th congressional district. He faced seven-term Republican incumbent Bertrand W. Gearhart in the election. Gearhart had faced one Democratic challenger in his six previous re-election bids. White defeated Gearhart after capturing a 51.3% majority with a margin of victory of more than 6,000 votes.[6] White was challenged in 1950 by Republican Allan O. Hunter. Hunter defeated White, 52.0% to 48%.[7] After leaving Congress White returned to his cotton growing business.
White again ran for a seat in the House of Representatives in 1966, this time as the Republican nominee for California's 16th congressional district.[8] Democratic incumbent Bernice F. Sisk defeated White in a lopsided 71.3%–28.6% election.[8]
White remained a resident of San Francisco, California, until his death on March 29, 1992.[4] His remains were cremated.[9]
References
edit- ^ Lawrence Kestenbaum. "Cecil Fielding White Information". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 2007-01-01.
- ^ "Face of the Victor". Time. November 15, 1948. Archived from the original on July 3, 2009. Retrieved 2007-01-01.
- ^ "Official congressional directory". United States Congress. 1950. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
- ^ a b c d e "Cecil Fielding White Profile". United States Congress. Retrieved 2007-01-01.
- ^ "Candidate's Family". The Reedley Exponent. 1948-05-13. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
- ^ John L. Moore, ed. (1994). Congressional Quarterly's Guide to U.S. Elections (3rd ed.). Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly. p. 1543. ISBN 0-87187-996-4. pg. 1209
- ^ Moore (1994), pg. 1214
- ^ a b Moore (1994), pg. 1254
- ^ "Cecil F. White, 91, Former Fresno-Area Congressman". Fresno Bee. Fresno, CA. March 31, 1992.
External links
edit- United States Congress. "Cecil F. White (id: W000359)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Cecil F. White at The Political Graveyard