Millard Caldwell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 33rdChief Justice of Florida | |
| In office September 5, 1967 – January 7, 1969 | |
| Preceded by | Stephen C. O'Connell |
| Succeeded by | Richard Ervin |
| Justice of the Supreme Court of Florida | |
| In office February 14, 1962 – January 7, 1969 | |
| Appointed by | C. Farris Bryant |
| Preceded by | T. Frank Hobson |
| Succeeded by | James C. Adkins |
| Administrator of theFederal Civil Defense Administration | |
| In office December 1, 1950 – November 15, 1952 | |
| President | Harry S. Truman |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | James Jeremiah Wadsworth (Acting) |
| Chair of theNational Governors Association | |
| In office May 26, 1946 – July 13, 1947 | |
| Preceded by | Ed Martin |
| Succeeded by | Horace Hildreth |
| 29thGovernor of Florida | |
| In office January 2, 1945 – January 4, 1949 | |
| Preceded by | Spessard Holland |
| Succeeded by | Fuller Warren |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromFlorida's3rd district | |
| In office March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1941 | |
| Preceded by | Tom Yon |
| Succeeded by | Bob Sikes |
| Member of theFlorida House of Representatives | |
| In office 1930–1932 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Millard Fillmore Caldwell (1897-02-06)February 6, 1897 Beverly, Tennessee, U.S. (now Knoxville) |
| Died | October 23, 1984(1984-10-23) (aged 87) Tallahassee, Florida, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Carson–Newman University University of Mississippi University of Virginia |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1918–1919 |
| Rank |  First Lieutenant |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Millard Fillmore Caldwell (February 6, 1897 – October 23, 1984) was an American politician, lawyer, and jurist. He was the29th governor of Florida (1945–1949) and served in all three branches of government at various times in his life, including as aU.S. representative andFlorida Supreme Court justice.
Caldwell was born in the rural area of Beverly,Tennessee, outsideKnoxville. There he attended public schools and attendedCarson-Newman College, theUniversity of Mississippi, and theUniversity of Virginia.[1] DuringWorld War I, Caldwell enlisted in theU.S. Army on April 3, 1918. He was commissioned as asecond lieutenant in the Field Artillery, and was discharged on January 11, 1919.[2] Caldwell moved toMilton,Florida in 1924, practicing law there.[3]
In 1926, Caldwell began serving as prosecutor and county attorney ofSanta Rosa County; in 1929, he was elected as aDemocrat to thestate House, where he was a member until 1932.
Caldwell would enter the 1932 Democratic primary late for Florida's 3rd Congressional District. In the end he would end up defeatingTom Yon and in congress he would serve as a member on two committees:Foreign Affairs andAppropriations. While serving in Congress he would urge that the US be self-sufficient for its war resources by 1934. He would unsuccessfully try to place an embargo on shipments to Japan and he did advocate for expanding both the Navy and Army. He would retire from Congress on January 1, 1941, and move to Tallahassee where he would practice law along with operate a dairy and raise cattle.[4]
In 1944, Caldwell was elected governor of Florida. Taking office in 1945, Caldwell's term is noted for hissegregationist beliefs, as well as his support for road construction projects and the establishment of the Educational Minimum Foundation Program, which gave education funds to rural counties. One of the more colorful aspects of Caldwell's term came on August 10, 1945, during thesurrender of Japan in World War II, when Caldwell issued a proclamation urging bars and other alcohol-selling establishments to close in order to prevent a frenzy of drunken celebration in the streets.[citation needed]
Caldwell would support Harry S. Truman's run for president in 1948 as many Southern Democrats had left the party.[5]
After leaving office in 1949, Caldwell was appointed the administrator of theFederal Civil Defense Administration by then-PresidentHarry S. Truman in 1950. After leaving this post in 1952, Caldwell served as a justice – and later chief justice – on the State Supreme Court from 1962 to 1969.[3]
On May 14, 1953, Caldwell was initiated as an honorary brother in the Alpha Phi chapter ofAlpha Kappa Psi at theUniversity of Florida[6]
Caldwell died inTallahassee on October 23, 1984.[3] He is interred at Blackwood-Harwood Plantations Cemetery inLeon County in Tallahassee, Florida.[citation needed]
Caldwell was married to Mary Harwood Caldwell; the couple's three children were Susan, Millard, and Sally.[citation needed]
During his life, Caldwell was a member of theNewcomen Society,Freemasons,Shriners,Elks, andKnights of Pythias. He was also a member ofKappa Sigma andPhi Alpha Delta.[citation needed]
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromFlorida's 3rd congressional district 1933–1941 | Succeeded by |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Democratic nominee forGovernor of Florida 1944 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Governor of Florida 1945–1949 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chair of theNational Governors Association 1946–1947 | Succeeded by |
| New office | Administrator of theFederal Civil Defense Administration 1950–1952 | Succeeded by James Jeremiah Wadsworth Acting |
| Military(1821) |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Territorial(1822–1845) | ||
| State(since 1845) | ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
