John H. Bankhead II

John H. Bankhead II
United States Senator
from Alabama
In office
March 4, 1931 – June 12, 1946
Preceded byJ. Thomas Heflin
Succeeded byGeorge R. Swift
Personal details
Born
John Hollis Bankhead II

July 8, 1872
near Old Moscow, Lamar County, Alabama, U.S.
DiedJune 12, 1946(1946-06-12) (aged 73)
United States Naval Hospital, Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseMusa Bernice Harkins
Children3, including Walter
Parent
Relatives
Alma materUniversity of Alabama
Georgetown University
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States National Guard
Years of service1901–1903
RankMajor
UnitAlabama

John Hollis Bankhead II (July 8, 1872 – June 12, 1946) was a U.S. senator from the state of Alabama. Like his father, John H. Bankhead, he was elected three times to the Senate, and like his father, he died in office.[1]

He served in the Senate from March 4, 1931, to his death on June 12, 1946. He was first elected to the Senate in 1930 by defeating J. Thomas Heflin, the man who succeeded his father. Though Bankhead won the election by 20 points, Heflin challenged the results for over a year. He served as chairman of the Committee on Irrigation and Reclamation. After his death, Bankhead was succeeded by George R. Swift, who was appointed to fill his seat until a successor, John J. Sparkman, could be elected. Bankhead is remembered as a spokesman for farmers and against civil rights for African Americans.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference obit was invoked but never defined (see the help page).