|
a.
|
Note: Guardian of Mary Walker Bradford, who he later married. Law partner of Henry S. Cato.
Bench and bar of West Virginia 1919
By George Wesley Atkinson
Page 383
Thomas A. Bledsoe, A.B., LL.B.
The subject of this sketch is one of the very able young lawyers of the Charleston Bar. He is the son of Thomas A. Bledsoe, Sr., and Edmonia Page Bledsoe, and was born at Stauriton, Virginia, May 5, 1882. He was educated in public and private schools of his native city. Later he matriculated as a student at Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia, from which he graduated in 1901 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. After teaching two years at Locust Dale Academy, having in mind in the meantime the law as a profession, he entered the Law Department of Washington and Lee University, from which he graduated in 1905 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. The year of his graduation he was admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Virginia. Later he located in Charleston, West Virginia, and became a member of the firm of Littlepage, Cato and Bledsoe, which handled a large volume of general court practice. This strong firm was dissolved by the election of Mr. Littlepage to Congress, but Cato and Bledsoe continued the practice until the fall of 1917, when Mr. Cato was appointed by the Governor to fill the vacancy created by the* death of Judge Samuel D. Littlepage, as Judge of the Circuit Court of Kanawha and Clay counties, which leaves Mr. Bledsoe the sole survivor of the firm; but he is a strong lawyer and can sustain himself in any court, anywhere, and doubtless will be able to handle the large business of the former firm in a satisfactory manner.
Air. Bledsoe in politics is a Democrat and was the candidate of that party in 3912 for Attorney-General of West Virginia, but was defeated along with thp balance of his ticket.
Mr. Bledsoe is a man of marked personal appearance. He is of good stature, his features are strong, and his whole aspect is full of force. His personal character is above reproach, and his ability is beyond question. There is in store for him much more than he has already received, in the law as well as in politics. Xovember 23, 1913, he was united in marriage with Miss Walker Bradford. They have one child - Thomas A. Bledsoe, 3d. Their home is in the Capital City, where they have many appreciative friends. In church relations Mr. Bledsoe is a Presbyterian. He is a splendid type of the thrifty, able and promising young members of the profession in West Virginia, and we opine there is a great future in store for him.
|
