Clifton A. Woodrum

Clifton Alexander Woodrum
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 6th district
In office March 4, 1923 – December 31, 1945 At-large: March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1935
Preceded by	James P. Woods
Succeeded by	J. Lindsay Almond, Jr.
Personal details
Born	April 27, 1887 Roanoke, Virginia
Died	October 6, 1950 (aged 63) Washington, D.C.
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	University College of Medicine Washington and Lee University
Profession	Pharmacist, Lawyer

Clifton Alexander Woodrum (April 27, 1887 – October 6, 1950) was a U.S. Representative from Virginia.

Biography

Born in Roanoke, Virginia, Woodrum attended the public schools of his native city and the University College of Medicine (now combined with the Medical College of Virginia), Richmond, Virginia. He became a registered pharmacist and engaged in his profession in Roanoke. He studied law at Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia. He was admitted to the bar in 1908 and commenced practice in Roanoke, Virginia. Commonwealth attorney of Roanoke 1917-1919. He served as judge of the Hustings Court of Roanoke 1919-1922.

Woodrum was elected as a Democrat to the Sixty-eighth and to the eleven succeeding Congresses and served from March 4, 1923, until his resignation on December 31, 1945, to become president of the American Plant Food Council, Inc.

He was considered a "Southern Progressive" in Washington, and he bucked the powerful Byrd Organization to become an ardent "New Dealer." As a member of the United States House Committee on Appropriations, he steered federal money for the purchase of land for Roanoke's airport, originally called "Woodrum's Field" in his honor, and today known as the Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport. He was also instrumental in bringing the United States Department of Veterans Affairs hospital, now known as the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center, to the area. The hospital brought many jobs to the region during the Great Depression.^[1]

He died in Washington, D.C., October 6, 1950. He was interred in Fairview Cemetery, Roanoke, Virginia. His grandson was Chip Woodrum who served in the Virginia House of Delegates.^[2]

Electoral history

• 1922; Woodrum was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives with 77.95% of the vote, defeating Republican Fred W. McWane.
• 1924; Woodrum was re-elected with 69.01% of the vote, defeating Republican McWane.
• 1926; Woodrum was re-elected unopposed.
• 1928; Woodrum was re-elected unopposed.
• 1930; Woodrum was re-elected unopposed.
• 1932; Woodrum was re-elected along with the Democratic slate in the at-large district; he won 8.39% of the vote in a 24-way race.
• 1934; Woodrum was re-elected with 67.14% of the vote, defeating Republican Thomas J. Wilson, Jr., Socialist W.L. Gibson, and Independent John Moffett Robinson.
• 1936; Woodrum was re-elected with 60.69% of the vote, defeating Republican T.X. Parsons.
• 1938; Woodrum was re-elected with 55.89% of the vote, defeating Republican McWane.
• 1940; Woodrum was re-elected with 68.14% of the vote, defeating Republican McWane and Socialist Lawrence S. Wilkes.
• 1942; Woodrum was re-elected with 93.56% of the vote, defeating Republican Stephen A. Moore.
• 1944; Woodrum was re-elected 69.09% of the vote, defeating Republican John Strickler.

Sources

1. Roanoke Times. Discover History & Heritage: Exploring the People and Places of Southwest Virginia. 2015. Issue 3 originally published with the copyrighted February 25, 2016 edition of The Roanoke Times. Page 58. http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/930723037
2. Obituary of Chip Woodrum

• United States Congress. "Clifton A. Woodrum (id: W000720)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

External links

• Clifton A. Woodrum at Find a Grave