William H. Kitchin
Encyclopedia
William Hodges Kitchin was a one-term U.S. Congressional representative from North Carolina
. He helped tighten the color line between blacks and whites in the state. He left a North Carolina political dynasty of sorts, as his sons, Claude Kitchin
and William Walton Kitchin
, and a grandson, Alvin Paul Kitchin
, were all prominent politicians.
, December 22, 1837. He moved with his parents to North Carolina in 1841 and later attended Emory and Henry College
in Emory, Virginia
. He left college in April 1861 to enlist in the Confederate States Army
, was promoted to the rank of captain in 1863 and served throughout the Civil War
. After the war, Kitchin studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1869 and practiced in Scotland Neck, North Carolina
. He traveled to California to settle a land claim that resulted in a princely fee for him of $20,000; as an obituary in his home town newspaper noted upon his death thirty years later, the money made him "easy" in the business world.
as a Democrat to the Forty-sixth United States Congress (March 4, 1879-March 3, 188l). His election was tainted by accusations of irregularities and was aided by a split among Republicans between candidates James E. O'Hara
and James Harris
(both African-Americans). O'Hara unsuccessfully contested the election.
Kitchin was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1880. A bombastic orator, especially harsh toward black political influence in his area of the state, Kitchin nevertheless joined the People's Party
or Populists
, served on its state executive committee in the mid-1890s, and worked with them for a time to build an alliance with African American voters. Although disillusioned with his new allies because of the "fusion
" rule between Populists and Republicans in the state legislature in 1895, he was a delegate to the national Populist convention in 1896 where he worked to gain the party's nomination of the Democratic slate (William J. Bryan and Arthur Sewall
) that year. He returned to the Democratic party, now one of "white men and white metal" (silver), both important issues to him. Kitchin died in Scotland Neck, North Carolina
on February 2, 1901.
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. He helped tighten the color line between blacks and whites in the state. He left a North Carolina political dynasty of sorts, as his sons, Claude Kitchin
Claude Kitchin
Claude Kitchin was a U.S. Congressional Representative from North Carolina and floor leader of his party in the House during the 64th, 65th, and 67th Congresses....
and William Walton Kitchin
William Walton Kitchin
William Walton Kitchin was the 52nd Governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina from 1909 to 1913.-Early Life and Family:...
, and a grandson, Alvin Paul Kitchin
Alvin Paul Kitchin
Alvin Paul Kitchin was a U.S. Congressional representative from North Carolina.Kitchin was born in Scotland Neck, North Carolina on September 13, 1908, the grandson of William H. Kitchin and the nephew of two congressmen...
, were all prominent politicians.
Background
Kitchin was born in Lauderdale County, AlabamaLauderdale County, Alabama
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*86.4% White*10.0% Black*0.4% Native American*0.7% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.4% Two or more races*2.2% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, December 22, 1837. He moved with his parents to North Carolina in 1841 and later attended Emory and Henry College
Emory and Henry College
Emory & Henry College, known as E&H, Emory, or the College, is a private liberal arts college located in Emory, Virginia, United States. The campus comprises of Washington County, Virginia, which is part of the mountain region of Southwest Virginia...
in Emory, Virginia
Emory, Virginia
Emory is a census-designated place in Washington County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,251 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Kingsport–Bristol –Bristol Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a component of the Johnson City–Kingsport–Bristol, TN-VA...
. He left college in April 1861 to enlist in the Confederate States Army
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
, was promoted to the rank of captain in 1863 and served throughout the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. After the war, Kitchin studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1869 and practiced in Scotland Neck, North Carolina
Scotland Neck, North Carolina
Scotland Neck is a town in Halifax County, North Carolina, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 2,362. It is part of the Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
. He traveled to California to settle a land claim that resulted in a princely fee for him of $20,000; as an obituary in his home town newspaper noted upon his death thirty years later, the money made him "easy" in the business world.
Political career
In 1878, Kitchin was elected from North Carolina's 2nd U.S. House districtNorth Carolina's 2nd congressional district
North Carolina's 2nd congressional district is located in the central and eastern parts of the state. Today, the district, which is represented by Republican Rep...
as a Democrat to the Forty-sixth United States Congress (March 4, 1879-March 3, 188l). His election was tainted by accusations of irregularities and was aided by a split among Republicans between candidates James E. O'Hara
James E. O'Hara
James Edward O'Hara was an African American Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1883 to 1887, representing North Carolina during part of the Reconstruction era....
and James Harris
James H. Harris (NC politician)
James Henry Harris was an African American politician in North Carolina.-Early life and Civil War activity:Harris was born into slavery in Granville County, North Carolina but became free about 1848. He left the state and attended Oberlin College in Ohio...
(both African-Americans). O'Hara unsuccessfully contested the election.
Kitchin was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1880. A bombastic orator, especially harsh toward black political influence in his area of the state, Kitchin nevertheless joined the People's Party
Populist Party (United States)
The People's Party, also known as the "Populists", was a short-lived political party in the United States established in 1891. It was most important in 1892-96, then rapidly faded away...
or Populists
Populist Party (United States)
The People's Party, also known as the "Populists", was a short-lived political party in the United States established in 1891. It was most important in 1892-96, then rapidly faded away...
, served on its state executive committee in the mid-1890s, and worked with them for a time to build an alliance with African American voters. Although disillusioned with his new allies because of the "fusion
Electoral fusion
Electoral fusion is an arrangement where two or more political parties on a ballot list the same candidate, pooling the votes for that candidate...
" rule between Populists and Republicans in the state legislature in 1895, he was a delegate to the national Populist convention in 1896 where he worked to gain the party's nomination of the Democratic slate (William J. Bryan and Arthur Sewall
Arthur Sewall
Arthur Sewall was a U.S. Democratic politician from Maine most notable as William Jennings Bryan's first running mate in 1896. As the Populist Party nominee, Bryan had another running mate as well, Thomas E. Watson...
) that year. He returned to the Democratic party, now one of "white men and white metal" (silver), both important issues to him. Kitchin died in Scotland Neck, North Carolina
Scotland Neck, North Carolina
Scotland Neck is a town in Halifax County, North Carolina, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 2,362. It is part of the Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
on February 2, 1901.