G. Alvin Massenburg

George Alvin Massenburg (September 19, 1894 – November 25, 1968) was an American politician. A Democrat, he served in the Virginia House of Delegates 1926–50 and was its Speaker 1947–50.[1]

G. Alvin Massenburg
48th Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates
In office
January 6, 1947 – January 11, 1950
Preceded byThomas B. Stanley
Succeeded byE. Blackburn Moore
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates for Elizabeth City and Hampton
In office
January 13, 1926 – January 11, 1950
Preceded byHarry R. Houston
Succeeded byVictor P. Wilson
Personal details
Born
George Alvin Massenburg

( 1894 -09-19)September 19, 1894
Hampton, Virginia, U.S.
DiedNovember 25, 1968(1968-11-25) (aged 74)
Hampton, Virginia, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Carrie Wood
OccupationMaritime pilot
Signature
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceUnited States Coast Guard
Years of service1942–1945
RankCaptain
UnitU.S. Coast Guard Reserve

Personal life

Massenburg was born in Hampton, Virginia to Virginius and Virginia Massenburg. He left high school after two years for an electrical engineering apprenticeship. He became a maritime pilot in the area of Hampton Roads and the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, eventually becoming president of the Virginia Pilot Association. He held a commission in the United States Coast Guard Reserve, rising to the rank of captain during the World War II era.[1]

He married Carrie Wood of Hampton October 19, 1918.[1]

Political career

Massenburg first entered the House of Delegates in 1926. He became Democratic floor leader from 1936, succeeding Ashton Dovell when he became speaker, and served until becoming speaker himself. By 1940 he had become chair of the Privileges and Elections committee. He succeeded Thomas B. Stanley as Speaker in 1947, after Stanley's election to the United States House of Representatives. He retired from the House in 1950.[1][2]

From 1948–52 Massenburg was chair of the State Democratic Committee. He was a delegate to the 1948 and 1952 Democratic National Conventions. In 1956 he was an unsuccessful candidate for presidential elector in support of Adlai Stevenson and Estes Kefauver.[1][3]

Death

Massenburg died in Hampton November 25, 1968. He was interred in the cemetery of St. John's Episcopal Church in Hampton.[1][4]

Notes
  1. Jamerson, p. 137
  2. "Virginia House of Delegates; Session 1940; Massenburg, George Alvin". Virginia House of Delegates. Archived from the original on 2011-05-24. Retrieved 2009-01-28.
  3. "Massenburg, G. Alvin". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 2009-01-28.
  4. "George Alvin Massenburg". Find A Grave. Retrieved 2009-01-28.

References
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.