Bertrand W. Gearhart

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Bertrand W. Gearhart
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 9th district
In office
January 3, 1935 – January 3, 1949
Preceded byDenver S. Church
Succeeded byCecil F. White
Personal details
Born(1890-05-31)May 31, 1890
San Francisco, California
Political partyRepublican

Bertrand Wesley "Bud" Gearhart (May 31, 1890 – October 11, 1955) was an American lawyer and politician. Gearhart, a Republican, served as the United States representative for California's 9th congressional district from 1935 to 1949.[1]

Background

Gearhart was born the son of John Wesley Gearhart and Mary Elizabeth Johnson Gearhart in

University of Southern California Law School to obtain his Bachelor of Laws degree, which he completed in 1914. While he was there, Gearhart was a member of Phi Delta Phi and Zeta Psi fraternities.[1]

Career

Gearhart was admitted to the California state bar the previous year, and had commenced his law practice in Fresno. During World War I, he served overseas as a second lieutenant in the 609th Aero Squadron from 1917 to 1919.[2] Gearhart was one of the founders of the American Legion, an organization of war veterans, in 1919.[1] After the war, he first served as the assistant district attorney, and later the district attorney of Fresno County until 1923. In 1932, he served as a member of the board of directors of the California Veterans' Home.

A year later, Gearhart ran for the

1946 United States House elections when he was put up against Democrat Hubert Phillips. Gearhart defeated Phillips in the election,[12] capturing 53.7% of the votes cast, in comparison to Phillips' 46.3%.[13]

In a personal jab at Gearhart,

1948 House elections by a political newcomer, 47-year-old Democratic cotton rancher Cecil F. White,[14] with the seven-term representative obtaining only 46.9% of the vote while White received 51.3%.[15]

After losing the election, Gearhart went back to Fresno to resume his law practice until his death.

Personal life and death

Bertrand W. Gearhart died age 65 on October 11, 1955, in a

San Francisco hospital.[2] He was then interred in Mountain View Cemetery in Fresno.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Lawrence Kestenbaum. "Bertrand Wesley Gearhart Information". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 2006-12-31.
  2. ^ a b c "Bertrand Wesley Gearhart Profile". United States Congress. Retrieved 2006-12-31.
  3. ^ "Denver Samuel Church Profile". United States Congress. Retrieved 2006-12-31.
  4. ISBN 0-87187-996-4
    . pg. 1174
  5. ^ Moore (1994), pg. 1179
  6. ^ Moore (1994), pg. 1184
  7. ^ Moore (1994), pg. 1189
  8. ^ Moore (1994), pg. 1194
  9. ^ Moore (1994), pg. 1199
  10. ^ "Dogi Cligin & the West". Time. October 4, 1948. Archived from the original on March 30, 2008. Retrieved 2006-12-31.
  11. ^ "List Of Prominent People Who Have Endorsed The Merchant Seamen's Bill Of Rights". United States Maritime Service Veterans. October 10, 2000. Retrieved 2006-12-31.
  12. ^ Lawrence Kestenbaum. "California: U.S. Representatives, 1940s". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 2006-12-31.
  13. ^ Moore (1994), pg. 1204
  14. ^ a b "Face of the Victor". Time. November 15, 1948. Archived from the original on July 3, 2009. Retrieved 2006-12-31.
  15. ^ Moore (1994), pg. 1209

External links

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from California's 9th congressional district
1935 - 1949 		Succeeded by
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