Alton Lennon

Who was Alton Lennon?

Alton Asa Lennon of Wilmington, New Hanover County, N.C., was a Democratic U.S. senator from the state of North Carolina between 1953 and 1954, and later, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing North Carolina's 7th congressional district from 1957 to 1973.

Lennon was a Senator and a Representative from North Carolina; born in Wilmington, New Hanover County, N.C., August 17, 1906; son of Rosser Yates Lennon and Minnie Lennon; attended the public schools; graduated from Wake Forest College in 1929; studied law; admitted to the bar in 1929 and began practice in Wilmington, N.C.; married, October 12, 1933, to Karine Welch; served as judge, New Hanover County Recorder’s Court 1934–1942; member, State senate 1947–1951; appointed on July 10, 1953, as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Willis Smith and served from July 10, 1953, to November 28, 1954; was an unsuccessful candidate for the nomination in 1954 to fill the vacancy; resumed law practice; elected as a Democrat to the 85th Congress; reelected to the seven succeeding Congresses; was not a candidate for reelection in 1972; was a resident of Wilmington, N.C., until his death there December 28, 1986; interment in Oakdale Cemetery. Baptist. Member, Moose; Odd Fellows.