William Henry Fleming
Encyclopedia
William Henry Fleming was an American
politician
and lawyer
from the U.S. state
of Georgia
.
Fleming was born in Augusta, Georgia
. He attended Summerville Academy and Academy of Richmond County
and the University of Georgia
in Athens
where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Literary Society
. After graduation in 1874, Fleming served as the superintendent of the Augusta and Richmond County, Georgia
public schools from 1877 until his resignation in 1880. He studied law, gained admittance to the state bar in 1880 and began practicing law in Augusta.
From 1888 to 1896, Fleming served in the Georgia House of Representatives
and was that body's speaker in 1894 and 1895. He was also the president of the Georgia State Bar Association
in 1895. In 1896, Fleming was elected as a Democrat
to the United States House of Representatives
representing Georgia's 10th congressional district
in the 55th United States Congress
. He was reelected to two additional terms in that seat (56th
and 57th
Congresses) before losing his reelection campaign for the 58th Congress
in 1902. In total, Fleming's U.S. congressional service took place from March 4, 1897, until March 3, 1903. He returned to practicing law. Fleming died in Augusta on June 9, 1944 and was buried in that city's Summerville Cemetery
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
from the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
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...
.
Fleming was born in Augusta, Georgia
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
. He attended Summerville Academy and Academy of Richmond County
Academy of Richmond County
The Academy of Richmond County is a public high school listed on the National Register of Historic Places located in Augusta, Georgia, USA. Originally known as Richmond County Military Academy, and commonly known as Richmond Academy, it was chartered in 1783...
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...
where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Literary Society
Phi Kappa Literary Society
The Phi Kappa Literary Society is a college literary society, located at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia.The Society was founded in 1820 by Joseph Henry Lumpkin, later to become the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia and eponym for the , and by William Crabbe, Edwin...
. After graduation in 1874, Fleming served as the superintendent of the Augusta and Richmond County, Georgia
Richmond County, Georgia
Richmond County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is one of the original counties of Georgia, created February 5, 1777. As of 2010, the population was 200,549. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 199,486....
public schools from 1877 until his resignation in 1880. He studied law, gained admittance to the state bar in 1880 and began practicing law in Augusta.
From 1888 to 1896, Fleming 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:...
and was that body's speaker in 1894 and 1895. He was also the president of the Georgia State Bar Association
State Bar of Georgia
The State Bar of Georgia is the governing body of the legal profession in Georgia, operating under the supervision of the Supreme Court of Georgia. Membership is a condition of admission to practice law in Georgia....
in 1895. In 1896, Fleming was elected as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
to 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 10th congressional district
Georgia's 10th congressional district
Georgia's 10th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Georgia. Located in the northeastern part of the state, the district includes the cities of Athens, Evans, Augusta, Watkinsville, and Toccoa...
in the 55th United States Congress
55th United States Congress
-House of Representatives:* Republican: 206 * Democratic: 124* Populist: 22* Silver Republican: 3* Silver: 1* Independent Republican: 1TOTAL members: 357-Leadership:-Senate:* President: Garret Hobart * President pro tempore: William P...
. He was reelected to two additional terms in that seat (56th
56th United States Congress
-House of Representatives:- Leadership :- Senate :* President: Garret Hobart , until November 21, 1899 , vacant thereafter.* President pro tempore: William P. Frye * Democratic Caucus Chairman: James K. Jones...
and 57th
57th United States Congress
-House of Representatives:*Democratic: 151*Republican: 200 *Populist: 5*Silver : 1TOTAL members: 357-Leadership:-Senate:* President: Theodore Roosevelt , until September 14, 1901, vacant thereafter....
Congresses) before losing his reelection campaign for the 58th Congress
58th United States Congress
- House of Representatives :* Republican : 209 * Democratic : 176* Silver Republican : 1TOTAL members: 386-Senate:* President: Vacant* President pro tempore: William P. Frye -Members:...
in 1902. In total, Fleming's U.S. congressional service took place from March 4, 1897, until March 3, 1903. He returned to practicing law. Fleming died in Augusta on June 9, 1944 and was buried in that city's Summerville Cemetery
Summerville Cemetery
-Notable interments:*George Walker Crawford, Governor of Georgia, United States Secretary of War*Alfred Cumming, Confederate General in the American Civil War*William Henry Fleming, congressman...
.