Fred C. Gilchrist

Fred Cramer Gilchrist (June 2, 1868 – March 10, 1950) was an American educator who served as a seven-term Republican U.S. Representative from Iowa, from 1931 to 1945.

Fred Gilchrist
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 6th district
In office January 3, 1943 – January 3, 1945
Preceded by	Paul Cunningham
Succeeded by	James I. Dolliver
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 8th district
In office March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1943
Preceded by	Lloyd Thurston
Succeeded by	Charles B. Hoeven
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 10th district
In office March 4, 1931 – March 3, 1933
Preceded by	L. J. Dickinson
Succeeded by	district eliminated
Member of the Iowa Senate
In office 1923–1931
Member of the Iowa House of Representatives
In office 1902–1904
Personal details
Born	Fred Cramer Gilchrist (1868-06-02)June 2, 1868 California, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	March 10, 1950(1950-03-10) (aged 81) Laurens, Iowa, U.S
Resting place	Laurens Cemetery
Political party	Republican
Education	University of Iowa
Profession	Educator and academic administrator

Early life and education

Born in California, Pennsylvania, in Washington County, Pennsylvania, Gilchrist moved with his parents to Cedar Falls, Iowa, in 1871. He attended the public schools. He graduated from State Teachers' College, Cedar Falls, Iowa, in 1886. From 1886 to 1890, he was a teacher and superintendent of two school districts in Pocahontas County, Iowa – Laurens, Iowa, and Rolfe, Iowa.

Early career

From 1890 to 1892 he served as that County's superintendent of schools. Leaving school administration for law school, he graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law at Iowa City in 1893, and was admitted to the bar that year. He then returned home and commenced private practice in Laurens.

Political career

He served as a member of the Iowa House of Representatives for one term, in 1902-1904. He also served as president of the board of education of Laurens from 1905 to 1928. Returning to legislative service, he served the Iowa Senate from 1923 to 1931.

Congress

Between 1930 and 1944, Gilchrist served seven terms as a Republican U.S. Representative from Iowa. During his service, the size of Iowa's house delegation shrank from eleven (in 1931) to nine (in 1933) and then to eight (in 1943), requiring redistricting before the 1932 and 1942 elections. Thus, without ever changing addresses, Gilchrist represented three different congressional districts. In 1930, he ran for and won the seat in Iowa's 10th congressional district that L. J. Dickinson vacated in his successful run for the U.S. Senate.

Two years later, with his home county (Pocahontas) now in Iowa's 8th congressional district, Gilchrist was one of three Iowa Republican House candidates to survive the Roosevelt landslide. He was re-elected four more times from that district, only once (in 1934) in a close race. In 1942, following the next redistricting, Pocahontas County was now in Iowa's 6th congressional district, where Gilchrist won re-election once. However, in 1944, he was challenged for the Republican nomination by James I. Dolliver of Fort Dodge, Iowa. In a primary election characterized by low turnout, Dolliver defeated Gilchrist, and went on to win the general election. In all, Gilchrist served in Congress from March 4, 1931, to January 3, 1945.

Later career and death

Upon his return to Laurens, Gilchrist resumed the practice of law. He died in Laurens on March 10, 1950, and was interred in Laurens Cemetery.

References

• United States Congress. "Fred C. Gilchrist (id: G000181)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress