A. T. Kilcrease Explained

A. T. Kilcrease
State Senate1:Arizona
District1:Pinal County
Term Start1:January 1925
Term End1:December 1926
Predecessor1:Charles E. MacMillin
Successor1:Thomas N. Wills
State House2:Arizona
District2:Pinal County
Term Start2:January 1923
Term End2:December 1924
Birth Date:21 August 1879
Birth Place:Crenshaw County, Alabama
Nationality:American
Party:Democrat
Spouse:Minnie Longley
Children:Victor, Dallas, Thomas E., and Juanita
Residence:Casa Grande, Arizona
Profession:Politician

Andrew Thomas Kilcrease (1879-1946) was an American politician from Arizona. He served a single term in the Arizona State Senate during the 7th Arizona State Legislature, holding the seat from Pinal County, after having served in Arizona's lower house during the previous session.[1] He had a background in education, and served at different times as Casa Grande's city clerk and postmaster.

Biography

Kilcrease was born on August 21, 1879, in Crenshaw County, Alabama.[2] He was hired to become principal of the Central School in Casa Grande, Arizona in 1917. He was moving from Bowie, Texas, and was late in arriving, delaying the opening of school by one week, before an acting principal was named until his arrival.[3] He married Minnie Longley of Archer City, Texas on May 26, 1901. The couple had three sons, Victor, Dallas, and Thomas E., and one daughter, Juanita.[4] [5] In 1919 he resigned as principal of the school, and was appointed the city clerk for Casa Grande.[6]

In 1922 he ran unopposed in the primary for one of the two seats to the Arizona House of Representatives in Pinal County.[7] He defeated Republican A. V. Read in November's general election.[8] [9] In 1924 he ran unopposed in the Democrat primary for the single seat from Pinal County for the Arizona State Senate, and defeated Republican George Hall in the general election in November.[10] [11] He did not run for re-election in 1926.[12]

He owned and operated the Casa Grande Steam Laundry for years, and became the Casa Grande postmaster in 1933, serving until 1938. Kilcrease moved to Iowa Park, Texas in 1938, where they had a small ranch, before moving back to Casa Grande in 1941, where they remained the rest of their lives. Kilcrease died on May 2, 1946, in Casa Grande, Arizona, after a long illness.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Session laws, State of Arizona, 1925, Seventh Legislature, Regular Session . State of Arizona . ix . September 12, 2022.
  2. News: Death Claims Former Solon . . May 11, 1946 . 7 . Newspapers.com. September 16, 2022.
  3. News: Opening of Central School Sparked Interest in 1914 . . May 20, 1977 . 14 . Newspapers.com. September 16, 2022.
  4. News: About A. T. Kilcrease . . July 31, 1968 . 21 . Newspapers.com. September 16, 2022.
  5. News: Casa Grande Yesterdays . . August 20, 1959 . 2 . Newspapers.com. September 16, 2022.
  6. News: Town Topics and Valley Personals . . June 20, 1919 . 8 . Newspapers.com. September 16, 2022.
  7. News: Untitled . . August 11, 1922 . 9 . Newspapers.com. September 16, 2022.
  8. News: Returns of Casa Grande Precinct . . September 16, 1922 . 1 . Newspapers.com. September 16, 2022.
  9. News: Members of Next Session . . November 25, 1922 . 1 . Newspapers.com. September 16, 2022.
  10. News: Candidates For Offices In Pinal County File Total of 44 Petitions For Nomination . . August 16, 1924 . 12 . Newspapers.com. September 16, 2022.
  11. News: Democrats Given Overwhelming Majorities of Both Houses of Seventh Legislature . . November 25, 1924 . 20 . Newspapers.com. September 16, 2022.
  12. News: Names Appearing On Official Ballot . . September 3, 1924 . 3 . Newspapers.com. September 16, 2022.