Albert C. Willford

Who was Albert C. Willford?

Albert Clinton Willford was a Democratic U.S. Representative from Iowa's 3rd congressional district and supporter of Franklin D. Roosevelt's "New Deal." He was elected in 1932, defeated in 1934, and failed to regain his seat in 1936.

Born in Vinton, Iowa, Willford attended the country and town schools, and Tilford's Academy, in Vinton. He was employed as chief engineer of the electric light, power, and water company at Vinton from 1900 to 1907. He moved to Waterloo, Iowa, in 1907 and engaged in the manufacture of ice until 1910, when he engaged in the seed, feed, and coal business.

Before running for Congress he served as a trustee of the Waterloo Public Library, a member of the Black Hawk County Jury Commission, the president of the Iowa Stationary Engineers Association, the president of the Iowa Chapter of the Izaak Walton League, and the president of the Waterloo Baseball Club.

Willford was the third Democrat elected in Iowa's 3rd congressional district since its creation in 1860. He was elected as part of Roosevelt's 1932 landslide, defeating a five-term incumbent congressman, Republican Thomas J. B. Robinson.