William A. Oldfield

Born in Franklin, Arkansas, Oldfield was the son of blacksmith Milton Oldfield and his wife, Mary Ann (Matheny) Oldfield.^[1] He attended the public schools of Franklin and graduated from Melbourne High School in 1892.^[2] He began attendance at Arkansas CollegeinBatesville.^[1] He graduated in 1896 and became a school teacher and principal in Richmond, Arkansas, while also studying law.^[1]

In 1898, Oldfield enlisted for the Spanish–American War as a private in Company M, 2nd Arkansas Infantry Regiment.^[1] He was promoted to first sergeant before receiving a commission as a first lieutenant, and he was mustered out in March 1899.^[1]

After returning home, Oldfield graduated from Cumberland University's law school in Lebanon, Tennessee, in 1900, attained admission to the bar, and commenced practice in Batesville.^[1]ADemocrat, he was prosecuting attorney of Independence County from 1902 to 1906.^[1] In 1906, Oldfield was an unsuccessful candidate for the U.S. House.^[1]

In 1908, Oldfield won election to the 61st Congress.^[1] He was reelected ten times and served from March 4, 1909, until his death.^[1] Oldfield was chairman of the Committee on Patents in the 62nd and 63rd Congresses, and Minority Whip from the 67th through 70th Congress.^[1] In addition, he served on the Ways and Means Committee and served as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.^[1]

Oldfield won reelection to the 71st Congress in 1928, but died before the term started in March 1929.^[1] He was succeeded in Congress by his wife Pearl P. Oldfield.^[1]

Oldfield died in Washington, D.C., on November 19, 1928.^[1] He was buried at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Batesville.^[1][3]

In 1901, Oldfield married Fannie Pearl Peden.^[1] They were married until his death, and had no children.^[1]

• List of United States Congress members who died in office (1900–49)

• "William Allan Oldfield (1874–1928)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. Little Rock, AR: Central Arkansas Library System. 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2018.

• Spencer, Thomas E. (1998). Where They're Buried. Baltimore, MD: Clearfield Company. p. 152. ISBN 978-0-8063-4823-0.
• United States House of Representatives (1929). Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the 71st Congress. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

• United States Congress. "William A. Oldfield (id: O000062)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• William A. OldfieldatFind a Grave
• William Allan Oldfield at The Political Graveyard