Victor A. Knox

Summary

Victor Alfred Knox (January 13, 1899 – December 13, 1976) was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan. He served six terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1953 to 1965.

The Honorable
Victor A. Knox
53rd Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
In office
1947–1952
GovernorKim Sigler
G. Mennen Williams
Preceded byHoward Nugent
Succeeded byWade Van Valkenburg
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Michigan's 11th district
In office
January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1965
Preceded byCharles E. Potter
Succeeded byRaymond F. Clevenger
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
from the Chippewa County district
In office
January 1, 1937 – December 31, 1952
Personal details
Born
Victor Alfred Knox

(1899-01-13)January 13, 1899
Chippewa County, Michigan, US
DiedDecember 31, 1976(1976-12-31) (aged 77)
Petoskey, Michigan, US
Resting placeOaklawn Chapel Gardens, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Political partyRepublican
SpouseBertha
ResidenceSault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Early life and education edit

Knox was born on a farm in Chippewa County, Michigan, near Sault Ste. Marie; his father was from Canada.[1] He attended the public schools and engaged in farming until 1943. He was the treasurer of Soo Township in 1923 and 1924, and Chippewa County supervisor, 1925-1931. Knox was member of the Michigan House of Representatives, 1937–1952, serving as the speaker pro tempore and Republican floor leader, 1943–1946, and as speaker, 1947-1952. He was also the manager of the Chippewa County Farm Bureau, 1943–1946 and engaged in the retail plumbing and heating business in Sault Ste. Marie in 1946. He served on the Council of State Government, the State Planning Commission, the State Crime Commission, and the Soo Locks Centennial Commission.

Congress edit

Knox was elected as a Republican from Michigan's 11th congressional district to the 83rd United States Congress and to the five succeeding Congresses, serving from January 3, 1953 to January 3, 1965. Knox voted in favor of the Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1960,[2][3] but voted against the Civil Rights Act of 1964,[4] as well as the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.[5] He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1964, losing in the general election to Democrat Raymond F. Clevenger.

Death edit

Knox died in Petoskey, Michigan and is interred at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens, fifteen miles south of Sault Ste. Marie.

References edit

  • United States Congress. "Victor A. Knox (id: K000298)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  • The Political Graveyard
  1. ^ "United States Census, 1910", FamilySearch, retrieved March 19, 2018
  2. ^ "HR 6127. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1957". GovTrack.us.
  3. ^ "HR 8601. PASSAGE".
  4. ^ "H.R. 7152. PASSAGE".
  5. ^ "S.J. RES. 29. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO BAN THE USE OF POLL TAX AS A REQUIREMENT FOR VOTING IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS". GovTrack.us.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by United States Representative for the 11th Congressional District of Michigan
1953–1965
Succeeded by