Walter Augustus Huxman

Background

Huxman was born in Pretty Prairie, Kansas and grew up on the family farm attending the local schools.

Education

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 Bachelor of Laws in 1914.

Career

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. 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 carried 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. 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 Doctorate. 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.

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 United States of America.

Achievements

• 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.

Membership

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.

Connections

Partner:

Charles South. Fulton