Chauncey Sparks

Chauncey Sparks (born October 8, 1884 in Barbour County , Alabama , † November 6, 1968 in Eufaula , Alabama) was an American politician and governor of Alabama . He was a member of the Democratic Party .

Early years and political advancement

After his father's death, Chauncey Sparks moved with the rest of his family to Quitman County , Georgia . He graduated from Mercer University in 1907 , received his law degree in 1910 and opened his own law firm in Eufaula. He then served as a judge on the Inferior Court of Barbour County from 1911 to 1916.

Sparks decided to pursue a political career in 1914 by serving as secretary of the Democratic Executive Committee of Barbour County until 1918. He was then elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 1919 , where he remained until 1923, and again between 1931 and 1939. He was also the administrator of the Department of Archives and History between 1920 and 1947. Sparks ran for governor of Alabama in 1938 , but suffered defeat.

Governor of Alabama

On November 3, 1942, he was elected governor of Alabama and sworn in on January 19, 1943. During his tenure, the University Medical College was established, a forestry school opened at the Alabama Polytechnic Institute , and the first oil well in Alabama began operating. His tenure also produced unexpected economic growth as a result of war defense spending and the alleviation of war-related problems.

Another résumé

Sparks left office on January 20, 1947. He ran again in 1950 in the democratic primaries for governor, but he failed again. He then withdrew from public life and went to work as a lawyer in his practice in Eufaula. He died on November 6, 1968 and was buried in Fairview Cemetery in Eufaula.

literature

• Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 1, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

• Chauncey Sparks at the National Governors Association (English)
• The Political Graveyard (English)
• Chauncey Sparks in the database of Find a Grave (English)