Robert Thomas Ashmore

Democrat Representative of South Carolina's 4th district

Congresses Served

House Terms

January 1, 1904 (85 years old)

Birthday

January 1, 1989

Death

Attended public schools in Greenville and graduated from Furman University Law School
Engaged in agricultural work, retail sales, and as a substitute rural mail carrier while a student
Admitted to the bar in 1928 and practiced law in Greenville
Served as solicitor of Greenville County Court (1930–1934) and solicitor of the thirteenth judicial circuit of South Carolina (1936–1953)
Volunteered for service in the United States Army in December 1942, serving until May 1946, and was discharged as a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army Reserve; promoted to colonel in 1955
Elected to the Eighty-third Congress to fill a vacancy and served until 1969
Was a signatory to the 1956 Southern Manifesto opposing desegregation of public schools
Voted against the Civil Rights Acts of 1957, 1960, 1964, and 1968, the 24th Amendment, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965
Did not seek reelection in 1968 and resumed practicing law
Served on the board of South Carolina Appalachian Regional Planning and Development Commission (1970–1989) and was chairman (1970–1972)
Elected to the Common Cause National Governing Board in 1973
Died in Greenville, South Carolina, and was interred in White Oak Baptist Church Cemetery, Greenville