Edgar E. Witt (January 28, 1876 – July 11, 1965) was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 29thlieutenant governor of Texas from 1931 to 1935. He also served twice as chairman of theAmerican-Mexican Claims Commission and chief commissioner of theIndian Claims Commission.
Witt was born on January 28, 1876, inBell County, Texas to James Monroe and Elizabeth (Simpson) Witt. He attended public schools inEddy.[1] He attended theUniversity of Texas at Austin, joining thePhi Delta Theta fraternity along with his boyhood friendTom T. Connally.[2] He graduated in 1900 and graduated from theUniversity of Texas Law School with an LL.B. in 1903. He married Gwynne Johnstone on June 6, 1904. They had no children.
Witt joined a law firm inWaco in 1906 and later practiced with his brother, Charles F. Witt, beginning in 1912. He was elected to theTexas House of Representatives in 1914. In 1918, he was commissioned a captain in theUnited States Army and was sent toParis, France.
While Witt was abroad, a vacancy occurred in his home district,Texas Senate, District 11. In absentia, his name was entered as a candidate in the special election, and he won. He served in the Texas Senate until 1930.
Witt was electedLieutenant Governor of Texas twice, in 1930 and 1932. He served under GovernorsRoss S. Sterling andMiriam A. "Ma" Ferguson, although Texas lieutenant governors do not run as a ticket with the governor. He ran for governor in 1934, but lost the Democratic primary toJames V. Allred.[3]
He then resumed the practice of law in Waco. In 1935, PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt appointed him chairman of the special Mexican Claims Commission. He served until 1938 and was appointed chairman again in 1943. He held the post until 1947. PresidentHarry S. Truman appointed him chief commissioner of the Indian Claims Commission, and Witt served as chair of that commission until his retirement in June 1960.
Witt remained an active member of the Democratic party throughout his life.
Witt died inAustin on July 11, 1965, and was buried in the family plot inOakwood Cemetery in Waco.
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Democratic nominee forLieutenant Governor of Texas 1930, 1932 | Succeeded by |
| Texas House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by William Harmann | Member of theTexas House of Representatives fromDistrict 96 (Waco) 1915–1917 | Succeeded by unknown |
| Texas Senate | ||
| Preceded by | Texas State Senator from District 11 (Waco) 1920 - 1930 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Lieutenant Governor of Texas 1931–1935 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
