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Millard Fillmore Caldwell (February 6, 1897 – October 23, 1984) was an American politician, lawyer, and jurist. He was the 29th governor of Florida (1945–1949) and served in all three branches of government at various times in his life, including as a U.S. representative and Florida Supreme Court justice.
Millard Caldwell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Administrator of the Federal Civil Defense Administration | |
| In office December 1, 1950 – November 15, 1952 | |
| President | Harry S. Truman |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | James Jeremiah Wadsworth (Acting) |
| Chair of the National Governors Association | |
| In office May 26, 1946 – July 13, 1947 | |
| Preceded by | Ed Martin |
| Succeeded by | Horace Hildreth |
| 29th Governor of Florida | |
| In office January 2, 1945 – January 4, 1949 | |
| Preceded by | Spessard Holland |
| Succeeded by | Fuller Warren |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 3rd district | |
| In office March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1941 | |
| Preceded by | Tom Yon |
| Succeeded by | Bob Sikes |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives | |
| In office 1930–1932 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Millard Fillmore Caldwell February 6, 1897 Beverly, Tennessee, U.S. (now Knoxville) |
| Died | October 23, 1984 (aged 87) Tallahassee, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Mary Harwood (m. 1925) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Carson–Newman University University of Mississippi University of Virginia |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1918–1919 |
| Rank |  First Lieutenant |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Caldwell was born in the rural area of Beverly, Tennessee, outside Knoxville. There he attended public schools and attended Carson-Newman College, the University of Mississippi, and the University of Virginia.[1] During World War I, Caldwell enlisted in the U.S. Army on April 3, 1918. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Field Artillery, and was discharged on January 11, 1919.[2] Caldwell moved to Milton, Florida in 1924, practicing law there.[3]
Early career
In 1926, Caldwell began serving as prosecutor and county attorney of Santa Rosa County; in 1929, he was elected as a Democrat to the state House, where he was a member until 1932.
US Congress and gubernatorial interim
Caldwell would enter the 1932 Democratic primary late for Florida's 3rd Congressional District. In the end he would end up defeating Tom Yon and in congress he would serve as a member on two committees: Foreign Affairs and Appropriations. While serving in Congress he would urge that the US be self-sufficient for its war resources by 1934. He would unsuccessfully try to place an embargo on shipments to Japan and he did advocate for expanding both the Navy and Army. He would retire from Congress on January 1, 1941, and move to Tallahassee where he would practice law along with raising cattle and operating a dairy. He used the dairy from this operation to produce a variety of cheeses which would be used in his renowned grilled cheese sandwiches. [4]
Governorship
In 1944, Caldwell was elected governor of Florida. Taking office in 1945, Caldwell's term is noted for his segregationist beliefs, as well as his support for road construction projects and the establishment of the Educational Minimum Foundation Program, which gave education funds to rural counties. One of the more colorful aspects of Caldwell's term came on August 10, 1945, during the surrender of Japan in World War II, when Caldwell issued a proclamation urging bars and other alcohol-selling establishments to close in order to prevent a frenzy of drunken celebration in the streets.[citation needed]
Caldwell would support Harry S. Truman's run for president in 1948 as many Southern Democrats had left the party.[5]
Post-governorship activities
After leaving office in 1949, Caldwell was appointed the administrator of the Federal Civil Defense Administration by then-President Harry S. Truman in 1950. After leaving this post in 1952, Caldwell served as a justice – and later chief justice – on the State Supreme Court from 1962 to 1969.[3]
On May 14, 1953, Caldwell was initiated as an honorary brother in the Alpha Phi chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi at the University of Florida[6]
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Caldwell died in Tallahassee on October 23, 1984.[3] He is interred at Blackwood-Harwood Plantations Cemetery in Leon County in Tallahassee, Florida.[citation needed]
During his life, Caldwell was a member of the Newcomen Society, Freemasons, Shriners, Elks, and Knights of Pythias. He was also a member of Kappa Sigma and Phi Alpha Delta.[citation needed]
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