Walter A. Huxman

Walter A. Huxman
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
In office May 23, 1939 – April 1, 1957
Appointed by	Franklin D. Roosevelt
Preceded by	Robert L. Williams
Succeeded by	Jean Sala Breitenstein
27th Governor of Kansas
In office January 11, 1937 – January 9, 1939
Lieutenant	William M. Lindsay
Preceded by	Alfred M. Landon
Succeeded by	Payne Ratner
Personal details
Born	February 16, 1887 Reno County, Kansas
Died	June 25, 1972 (aged 85) Topeka, Kansas
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Eula M. Biggs
Profession	teacher, attorney, politician, judge
Religion	Disciples of Christ

Walter Augustus Huxman (February 16, 1887 – June 25, 1972) was the 27th Governor of Kansas and United States federal judge.

Biography

Huxman was born in Pretty Prairie, Kansas and grew up on the family farm attending the local schools. He became a school teacher and from 1907 to 1909 he was principle of the Castleton Grade school and in 1910, principle of the Pretty Prairie Grade School. He attended Kansas State Normal School (now Emporia State Teachers College) for two years and the University of Kansas School of Law where he received an LL.B. in 1914.^[1] On January 21, 1915, he married Eula E. Biggs and they had one daughter, Ruth.

Career

When he was admitted to the Kansas State Bar, Huxman formed a partnership with Charles S. Fulton in Hutchinson, Kansas. As well as being in private practice from 1919 to 1937, he was an Assistant County Attorney of Kansas from 1915 to 1919, a City attorney from 1919 to 1921, and a Member of the Kansas State Tax Commission from 1931 to 1932.^[2]

An accomplished keynote speaker and chairman at the 1936 Democratic State Convention, Huxman was drafted as gubernatorial candidate. He won the election and was sworn in as the Governor of Kansas on January 11, 1937. Huxman's election as Governor marked a reflection on his Republican predecessor Alf Landon who did not seek reelection as Governor as he was instead the 1936 Republican presidential nominee. In the presidential election Landon was overwhelmingly defeated and even failed to carry Kansas. This meant that on the same day that Huxman was elected as Landon's successor as Governor, Kansas rejected Landon for the presidency and indicates that Huxman would have beaten Landon if Landon had sought reelection as Governor.

During his tenure, World War I Soldier bonuses were paid, unemployment compensations benefits were approved, and driver's license regulations were amended.^[3]

After his term as governor, Huxman was nominated to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Huxman was nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on April 24, 1939, to the seat vacated by Robert Lee Williams. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 17, 1939, and received his commission on May 23, 1939. He assumed senior status on April 1, 1957.

Death

Huxman's service was terminated on June 25, 1972, due to death. He is interred at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum, Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas USA.^[4]

References

1. "Walter A. Huxman". Tenth Judicial Circuit Historical Society. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
2. "Walter A. Huxman". History of the Federal Judiciary. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
3. "Walter A. Huxman". National Governors Association. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
4. "Walter A. Huxman". Find A Grave. Retrieved 3 October 2012.

External links

• Walter A. Huxman at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.

Walter A. Huxman at Find a Grave

• National Governors Association bio