Tom Pickett
Encyclopedia
Thomas Augustus Pickett (August 14, 1906 – June 7, 1980), was a United States Representative representing Texas's 7th congressional district
. Born in Travis, Texas
on August 14, 1906, Pickett attended the public schools of Palestine, Texas
, and the University of Texas at Austin
. He studied law and was admitted to the Texas Bar
in 1929 and commenced the practice of law
in Palestine, Texas. He was elected County Attorney of Anderson County, Texas
1931-1935; and District Attorney of the Third Judicial District of Texas 1935-1945. In 1944 he beat the Democrat incumbent Nat Patton
in the primary. He was then elected as a Democrat to the Seventy-ninth Congress
in 1944 and was reelected to the three succeeding Congresses, serving from January 3, 1945, until his resignation on June 30, 1952. He then became Vice President of the National Coal Association from July 1, 1952, to March 31, 1961 and Vice President of the Association of American Railroads from April 1, 1961, to November 30, 1967. Upon his retirement he resided in Leesburg, Florida
, until his death there June 7, 1980. He was cremated and his ashes interred at St. James Episcopal Church
.
Texas's 7th congressional district
Texas District 7 of the United States House of Representatives is a Congressional district that serves a small area of western Harris County...
. Born in Travis, Texas
Falls County, Texas
Falls County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 18,576. In 2003, the population of the county was estimated to be 17,926. It is named for the waterfalls on the Brazos River, which can be found at the Falls On The Brazos Park, a campsite located only a few...
on August 14, 1906, Pickett attended the public schools of Palestine, Texas
Palestine, Texas
Palestine is a city in Anderson County, Texas, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 17,598, and 18,458 in the 2009 estimate. It is the county seat of Anderson County and is situated in East Texas...
, and the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
. He studied law and was admitted to the Texas Bar
State Bar of Texas
The State Bar of Texas is an agency of the judiciary under the administrative control of the Texas Supreme Court. The Texas Bar is responsible for assisting the Texas Supreme Court in overseeing all attorneys licensed to practice law in Texas...
in 1929 and commenced the practice of law
Practice of law
In its most general sense, the practice of law involves giving legal advice to clients, drafting legal documents for clients, and representing clients in legal negotiations and court proceedings such as lawsuits, and is applied to the professional services of a lawyer or attorney at law, barrister,...
in Palestine, Texas. He was elected County Attorney of Anderson County, Texas
Anderson County, Texas
Anderson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 55,109. Its county seat is Palestine. Anderson county was organized in 1846, and is named in honor of Kenneth L. Anderson who had been Vice President of the Republic of Texas.-Geography:According to the...
1931-1935; and District Attorney of the Third Judicial District of Texas 1935-1945. In 1944 he beat the Democrat incumbent Nat Patton
Nat Patton
Nat Patton was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from the 7th District of Texas from 1935 to 1945....
in the primary. He was then elected as a Democrat to the Seventy-ninth Congress
79th United States Congress
The Seventy-ninth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1945 to January 3, 1947, during the last months of...
in 1944 and was reelected to the three succeeding Congresses, serving from January 3, 1945, until his resignation on June 30, 1952. He then became Vice President of the National Coal Association from July 1, 1952, to March 31, 1961 and Vice President of the Association of American Railroads from April 1, 1961, to November 30, 1967. Upon his retirement he resided in Leesburg, Florida
Leesburg, Florida
Leesburg is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States. The population was 15,956 at the 2000 census. As of 2005, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 19,086.. Leesburg is located in central Florida, between Lake Harris and Lake Griffin, at the head of the Oklawaha River system....
, until his death there June 7, 1980. He was cremated and his ashes interred at St. James Episcopal Church
Episcopal Church (United States)
The Episcopal Church is a mainline Anglican Christian church found mainly in the United States , but also in Honduras, Taiwan, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the British Virgin Islands and parts of Europe...
.