Hugh Peterson
Encyclopedia
Hugh Peterson was a U.S.
political figure and lawyer from the state of Georgia
.
Peterson was born near Ailey
, Georgia
in 1898 and attended the Brewton Parker Institute in Mount Vernon, Georgia
and the University of Georgia
in Athens
. He studied law, gained admission to the state bar in 1921 and began the practice of law in Mount Vernon. In 1922, Peterson served as the Mayor
.
From 1923 through 1931, Peterson served in the Georgia House of Representatives
. In 1931, he became a state Senator
and served in that position until 1932. In 1934, Peterson was elected to the 74th United States Congress
as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives
representing Georgia's 1st congressional district
. He served five additional terms in that seat until losing his re-election campaign in 1946.
After his congressional service, Peterson returned to Ailey to practice law. He died on October 3, 1961, in Sylva, North Carolina
and was buried in the Peterson family plot in Ailey.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
political figure and lawyer from the state of Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
.
Peterson was born near Ailey
Ailey, Georgia
Ailey is a city in Montgomery County, Georgia, United States. The population was 394 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Vidalia Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Ailey is located at ....
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
in 1898 and attended the Brewton Parker Institute in Mount Vernon, Georgia
Mount Vernon, Georgia
Mount Vernon is a city in Montgomery County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,082 at the 2000 census. It is home to the Baptist-affiliated Brewton-Parker College.Mount Vernon is part of the Vidalia Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
and the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
in Athens
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
. He studied law, gained admission to the state bar in 1921 and began the practice of law in Mount Vernon. In 1922, Peterson served as the Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
.
From 1923 through 1931, Peterson served in the Georgia House of Representatives
Georgia House of Representatives
The Georgia House of Representatives is the lower house of the Georgia General Assembly of the U.S. state of Georgia.-Composition:...
. In 1931, he became a state Senator
Georgia Senate
The Georgia State Senate is the upper house of the Georgia General Assembly .-Composition:According to the state constitution of 1983, this body is to be composed of no more than 56 members elected for two-year terms. Current state law provides for 56 members...
and served in that position until 1932. In 1934, Peterson was elected to the 74th United States Congress
74th United States Congress
-House:Also 2 Delegates, 3 Resident Commissioners-Senate:*President of the Senate: John N. Garner *President pro tempore: Key Pittman -Majority leadership:*Majority leader: Joseph T. Robinson...
as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
representing Georgia's 1st congressional district
Georgia's 1st congressional district
Georgia's 1st congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Georgia. The district comprises the entire coastal area of Sea Islands, where many of the large cotton and rice plantations flourished in the 19th century, and much of the rural southeastern part of the state...
. He served five additional terms in that seat until losing his re-election campaign in 1946.
After his congressional service, Peterson returned to Ailey to practice law. He died on October 3, 1961, in Sylva, North Carolina
Sylva, North Carolina
Sylva is an incorporated town located in central Jackson County, in the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina, United States of America. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 2,588. It is the county seat, having taken over from nearby Webster in 1913.-Geography:Sylva...
and was buried in the Peterson family plot in Ailey.