Chauncey Sparks
Encyclopedia
George Chauncey Sparks known as Chauncey Sparks, was a Democratic American politician who was 41st Governor of Alabama
from 1943 to 1947. Alabama governors at the time could not serve consecutive terms so Sparks left office without seeking reelection. Four years later, Sparks ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1950.
He was born in Barbour County, Alabama
, the son George Washington and Sarah E. (Castello) Sparks. After the death of his father when Chauncey was two years old, the family returned to Quitman County, Georgia
where he attended school and helped with the family farm. Sparks graduated from Mercer University
in Macon, Georgia
in 1907 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and received his law degree in 1910. He passed the Alabama State Bar
exam and opened a law practice in Eufaula, Alabama
that same year.
In 1911, Sparks was appointed judge of the inferior court of Barbour County by Governor Emmet O'Neal
, a position he held until 1915. He served as a representative in the Alabama Legislature
from 1919–1923 and 1931–1939. A prominent Democrat, Sparks served as secretary of the Barbour County Democratic Executive Committee from 1914 to 1918. He also served as a member of the board of trustees of the Department of Archives and History, representing the 3rd Congressional District.
Sparks' first bid for governor of Alabama was in 1938 when he was defeated by Frank M. Dixon
. In 1942 he defeated James E. Folsom and Chris Sherlock to win the governor's seat.
During his administration, Sparks had to contend with the effects of a wartime economy and the dismantling of war-geared programs at the conclusion of World War II. The massive growth of industry in Alabama during the war resulted in numerous labor problems, making it necessary to re-establish the state Labor Department. Sparks achieved particularly noteworthy gains for education by doubling state appropriations and lengthening the seven-month school term to eight months. The University of Alabama
School of Medicine (now The University of Alabama at Birmingham
) was established in Birmingham, Alabama
and a school of forestry was opened at Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University
). Due to his agricultural background, Sparks took a special interest in aiding the state's agricultural programs. This included increased appropriations as well as the establishment of several new farm experiment stations under the auspices of Alabama Polytechnic Institute's Agricultural College.
Also during Sparks' administration, a constitutional amendment was passed requiring the state legislature to convene every two years instead of every four years. One of the his greatest achievements, however, was his success in reducing the state debt by 25 percent.
Sparks was defeated in his bid for re-election in 1950 by Gordon Persons
. Sparks devoted the rest of his life to his private law practice in Eufaula where he died on November 6, 1968.
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
from 1943 to 1947. Alabama governors at the time could not serve consecutive terms so Sparks left office without seeking reelection. Four years later, Sparks ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1950.
He was born in Barbour County, Alabama
Barbour County, Alabama
Barbour County, Alabama is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of James Barbour, who served as Governor of Virginia. As of 2010 the population was 27,457. Its county seat is Clayton.-History:...
, the son George Washington and Sarah E. (Castello) Sparks. After the death of his father when Chauncey was two years old, the family returned to Quitman County, Georgia
Quitman County, Georgia
Quitman County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 10, 1858 and named after General John A. Quitman, leader in the Mexican War, and once Governor of Mississippi. As of 2000, the population was 2,598. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 2,666...
where he attended school and helped with the family farm. Sparks graduated from Mercer University
Mercer University
Mercer University is an independent, private, coeducational university with a Baptist heritage located in the U.S. state of Georgia. Mercer is the only university of its size in the United States that offers programs in eleven diversified fields of study: liberal arts, business, education, music,...
in Macon, Georgia
Macon, Georgia
Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
in 1907 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and received his law degree in 1910. He passed the Alabama State Bar
Alabama State Bar
The Alabama State Bar is the integrated bar association of the U.S. state of Alabama.The Alabama State Bar was established in 1923 and is part of the 1975 Alabama Code, §§ 34-3-1 to 34-3-89....
exam and opened a law practice in Eufaula, Alabama
Eufaula, Alabama
Eufaula is a city in Barbour County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 13,908.-Geography:Eufaula is located at 31°53'21.732" North, 85°9'13.586" West ....
that same year.
In 1911, Sparks was appointed judge of the inferior court of Barbour County by Governor Emmet O'Neal
Emmet O'Neal
Emmet O'Neal was an American Democratic politician and lawyer who was the 34th Governor of Alabama from 1911 to 1915....
, a position he held until 1915. He served as a representative in the Alabama Legislature
Alabama Legislature
The Alabama Legislature is the legislative branch of the state government of Alabama. It is a bicameral body composed of the Alabama House of Representatives, with 105 members, and the Alabama Senate, with 35 members...
from 1919–1923 and 1931–1939. A prominent Democrat, Sparks served as secretary of the Barbour County Democratic Executive Committee from 1914 to 1918. He also served as a member of the board of trustees of the Department of Archives and History, representing the 3rd Congressional District.
Sparks' first bid for governor of Alabama was in 1938 when he was defeated by Frank M. Dixon
Frank M. Dixon
Frank Murray Dixon was an American Democratic politician who was the 40th Governor of Alabama from 1939 to 1943. Born in Oakland, California in 1892, he died in Birmingham, Alabama in 1965. His interment was located in Birmingham's Oak Hill Cemetery.Dixon took part in World War I and served as an...
. In 1942 he defeated James E. Folsom and Chris Sherlock to win the governor's seat.
During his administration, Sparks had to contend with the effects of a wartime economy and the dismantling of war-geared programs at the conclusion of World War II. The massive growth of industry in Alabama during the war resulted in numerous labor problems, making it necessary to re-establish the state Labor Department. Sparks achieved particularly noteworthy gains for education by doubling state appropriations and lengthening the seven-month school term to eight months. The University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
School of Medicine (now The University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Alabama at Birmingham
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public university in Birmingham in the U.S. state of Alabama. Developing from an extension center established in 1936, the institution became an autonomous institution in 1969 and is today one of three institutions in the University of Alabama System...
) was established in Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
and a school of forestry was opened at Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
). Due to his agricultural background, Sparks took a special interest in aiding the state's agricultural programs. This included increased appropriations as well as the establishment of several new farm experiment stations under the auspices of Alabama Polytechnic Institute's Agricultural College.
Also during Sparks' administration, a constitutional amendment was passed requiring the state legislature to convene every two years instead of every four years. One of the his greatest achievements, however, was his success in reducing the state debt by 25 percent.
Sparks was defeated in his bid for re-election in 1950 by Gordon Persons
Gordon Persons
Seth Gordon Persons was an American Democratic politician who was the 43rd Governor of Alabama from 1951 to 1955. He was born and died in Montgomery, Alabama. The Dauphin Island Bridge south of Mobile is formally named for him.Persons was an alumnus of Auburn University.-External links:*...
. Sparks devoted the rest of his life to his private law practice in Eufaula where he died on November 6, 1968.