Emmett H. Poindexter Explained

Birth Date:November 6, 1892
Birth Place:Louisa, Virginia, U.S.
Death Place:Castle Point, New York, U.S.
Office1:Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Louisa County
Term Start1:January 12, 1938
Term End1:January 12, 1944
Predecessor1:Robert B. Massie
Successor1:Henry S. Johnson
Party:Democratic
Alma Mater:Medical College of Virginia
Spouse:Ruth Sanne
Allegiance: United States
Branch:United States Army
Unit:Medical Corps
Battles:World War I

Emmett Hawkins Poindexter (November 6, 1892 – October 21, 1945) was an American physician, merchant and politician who served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1938 to 1944, representing his native Louisa County.[1] [2]

Early life and education

Born in the closing weeks of 1892 to the former Susan Ann Richardson (1855-1938) and her husband Edward Hawkins Poindexter (1853-1942) at historic Fredericks Hall in Louisa County's Cuckoo District. That house, in which Poindexter lived virtually his entire life, had been owned during most of the 19th century by the locally prominent Harris family, including of Frederick Harris, first president of the Louisa Central Railroad and three time state delegate, and whose son Nathaniel became Chief of Engineers of the Southern Armies. However, after the conflict it would be sold and had numerous owners before its purchase by the Poindexters.[3] Poindexter had an elder sister, Lucy Maude Poindexter Davis, who survived him, although their brother William died as an infant. Poindexter was educated privately at McGuire's University school before entering the Medical College of Virginia, where he earned his medical degree, then served in World War I.

Career

Dr. Poindexter was a physician and merchant, as well as a member of the Baptist Church, Masons, Acca Temple Shriners and the Commonwealth Club. He served on the Board of Directors of the Bank of Louisa, as well as the Louisa Fire Insurance Company and Neighborhood Theatres, Inc.

Louisa County voters first elected Dr. Poindexter to represent them (part time) in the Virginia House of Delegates in 1937, and he won re-election twice, but resigned after the 1942 regular section, thus serving from 1938-1942.[4]

Personal life

Poindexter married Ruth Maxine Sanne. They had a son, Emmett Poindexter Jr., who survived his parents.

Death and legacy

Poindexter died in Dutchess County, New York, aged 51. His remains were returned to Louisa County, and interred with those of his parents, who had died a decade earlier, at the Bethpage Christian Church cemetery in Louisa.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Emmett H. Poindexter, 51, Of Fredericks Hall, Dies. Richmond Times-Dispatch. October 22, 1945. 15. June 26, 2020. Newspapers.com.
  2. [E. Griffith Dodson]
  3. Claudia Anderson Chisholm and Ellen Gray Lillie, Old Home Places of Louisa County (Louisa County Historical Society 1979) p. 74
  4. Cynthia Miller Leonard, The Virginia General Assembly 1619-1978 (Richmond, Virginia State Library) pp. 664, 669, 674