Thomas Abernethy

Thomas Abernethy
United States House of Representatives
In office 1943–1973
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Mississippi's 4th district
In office January 3, 1943 – January 3, 1953
Preceded by	Aaron L. Ford
Succeeded by	John B. Williams
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Mississippi's 1st district
In office January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1973
Preceded by	John E. Rankin
Succeeded by	Jamie L. Whitten
Personal details
Born	May 16, 1903 Eupora, Mississippi
Died	June 11, 1998 (aged 95) Jackson, Mississippi
Political party	Democratic
Children	Margaret Gail A. Doty, Thomas G. Abernethy Jr., and Alice Kay A. Martin.

Thomas Gerstle Abernethy (May 16, 1903 – June 11, 1998) was a member of the United States House of Representatives.^[1]

Biography

Early life

Thomas Gerstle Abertheny was born on May 16, 1903 in Eupora, Mississippi. He attended the local public schools. He studied at the University of Alabama, and the University of Mississippi, and graduated from Cumberland University in 1924.

Career

He was admitted to the bar and started practicing in his hometown through 1929, when he moved to Okolona, Mississippi. He served as the district attorney for the third judicial district of Mississippi from 1936 through 1942.

In 1942, he was elected as a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives, where he served through 1973. He retired to live in Okolona, Mississippi, and Jackson, Mississippi, until he died in 1998.

During his career, he proposed a number of constitutional amendments relating to school prayer and elections of the President and Vice President.^[2]

President Richard Nixon in a telephone call with his wife on 2 July 1971 referred to Congressman Abernethy. He noted that he had been at a White House function the previous night and stated that he had been in the Congress for 29 years and that Congressman Abernethy had said to him "did you know that this is the first time in 29 years that I have ever had a bite to eat at the White House". Nixon described him as a "nice man".

Death

He died on June 11, 1998.

References

1. Boller, Paul F.; George, John (1990). They Never Said It: A Book of Fake Quotes, Misquotes, and Misleading Attributions. Oxford University Press. pp. 14–16. ISBN 978-0-19-506469-8.
2. "Amending America: Proposed Amendments to the United States Constitution, 1787 to 2014 - Data.gov". catalog.data.gov. Retrieved 2016-07-29.

External links

• United States Congress. "Thomas Abernethy (id: A000016)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• The Thomas Abernethy Collection (MUM00001) owned by the University of Mississippi