Littleton Waller Tazewell Bradford

Littleton Waller Tazewell
Born
Littleton Waller Tazewell Bradford

July 16, 1848
Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
DiedJuly 15, 1918(1918-07-15) (aged 69)
Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
Burial placeElmwood Cemetery (Norfolk, Virginia)
EducationVirginia Military Institute
University of Virginia
Known forFounder of Pi Kappa Alpha

Littleton Waller Tazewell Bradford (July 16, 1848 – July 15, 1918) was a Virginia politician and was a co-founder of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.[1]

Early life

Littleton Waller Tazewell Bradford was born in Norfolk, Virginia in 1848[2] to Anne Elizabeth (née Tazewell) and Edmund Bradford. His father was a veteran and graduate of the United States Military Academy, originally from Philadelphia.[2][3] Bradford grew up on his parents' estate in Princess Anne County.[2] On his paternal side, he was a descendant of William Bradford. On his maternal side, he was a descendant of Henry Tazewell. His maternal grandfather was Littleton Waller Tazewell, former Governor of Virginia and former president pro tempore of the United States Senate.[2]

Bradford was educated first at Norfolk Academy. He enrolled as a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute (V.M.I.) on February 6, 1865, and was assigned to the class of 1868.[3] At the time, V.M.I.'s cadets were headquartered in Richmond, Virginia where they supported the defense of the Confederacy's capital.[3] His cadetship lasted until April 1865, when the corps was disbanded as Federal troops moved on Richmond.[3] The cadets were directed to escape the best way possible; Bradford escaped in a canal boat, taking refuge with relatives further up the James River.[citation needed]

After the war, Bradford attended the University of Virginia.[3] He studied medicine and shared 47 West Range with his cousin, Frederick Southgate Taylor.[4] Bradford and Taylor joined four others in founding the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity on March 1, 1868.[5] All six founders had been friends at V.M.I.[5] However, he dropped out of college and entered business in Norfolk.

Bradford legally changed his surname to Tazewell, adopting the name of his maternal grandfather who had no male heir.[6][2] This change was made after the death of his uncle John Tazewell in 1869.[citation needed]

Career

Bradford, now known by the surname Tazewell, was active in business and civic life in Norfolk.[3] For twenty years, he was on the Norfolk Common Council from the Third Ward.[7][8] He served as its vice-president, chairman of the street committee, and as a member of the public parks committee.[7][9][10][11] He was also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, serving on its fire committee which worked to lower insurance rates in Norfolk.[12]

Personal life

Tazewell married Mary Louise Walker on November 6, 1883.[3] They had three children, Littleton Waller Tazewell Jr., Calvert Walke Tazewell, and Edmund Bradford Tazewell.[3] They lived on Duke Street in Norfolk.[13]

He was a founder and member of the Chesapeake Boat Club, where he assembled an all-Pi Kappa Alpha crew.[citation needed] He was a member of the Christ Episcopal Church in Norfolk and served on its vestry.[14]

He died on July 15, 1918.[3] He is interred in Elmwood Cemetery in Norfolk, near his cousin Frederick Southgate Taylor.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Littleton Waller Tazewell | Special Collections Knowledgebase". College of William & Mary. 2019-09-09. Retrieved 2023-07-30.
  2. ^ a b c d e Stewart, William Henry (1902). History of Norfolk County, Virginia, and Representative Citizens. Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company. pp. 385–386 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Littleton Waller Tazewell | VMI Archives Digital Collections". Virginia Military Institute. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Wharton, Amy. "Law Library Guides: Our History: Featured Alumni/ae: Taylor, Frederick S., 1868". University of Virginia School of Law. Retrieved 2023-07-30.
  5. ^ a b Shepardson, Francis W., ed. (1927). Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (11th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: George Banta Publishing Company. p. 155 – via Google Books.
  6. ^ Stewart, William Henry (1902). History of Norfolk County, Virginia, and Representative Citizens. Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company. p. 586 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ a b "Common Council Meets Saturday". The Norfolk Landmark. August 28, 1908. p. 3 – via Virginia Chronicle (Library of Virginia).
  8. ^ "No Ballots Casts for Independents". The Norfolk Landmark. June 13, 1906. p. 2. Retrieved July 30, 2023 – via Virginia Chronicle (Library of Virginia).
  9. ^ "Proposals". The Nolfolk Landmark. June 8, 1906. p. 10. Retrieved July 30, 2023 – via Virginia Chronicle (Library of Virginia).
  10. ^ "What Mr. Tazewell Said". The Norfolk Landmark. June 7, 1905. p. 6. Retrieved July 30, 2023 – via Virginia Chronicle (Library of Virginia).
  11. ^ "Common Council Committees Named". The Norfolk Landmark. September 7, 1904. p. 3. Retrieved July 30, 2023 – via Virginia Chronicle (Library of Virginia).
  12. ^ "Seek Lower Fire Rates". The Norfolk Landmark. September 15, 1904. p. 6. Retrieved July 30, 2023 – via Virginia Chronicle (Library of Virginia).
  13. ^ "At Home and Abroad". The Norfolk Landmark. April 9, 1911. p. 15. Retrieved July 30, 2023 – via Virginia Chronicle (Library of Virginia).
  14. ^ "Elect Vestrymen". The Norfolk Landmark. March 29, 2010. p. 2. Retrieved July 30, 2023 – via Virginia Chronicle (Library of Virginia).