Alton Asa Lennon

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Alton Asa Lennon (17 August 190628 December 1986) of Wilmington, New Hanover County, N.C., was a Democratic U.S. senator from the state of North Carolina between 1953 and 1954, and later, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing North Carolina's 7th congressional district from 1957 to 1973.

Lennon was a Senator and a Representative from North Carolina; born in Wilmington, New Hanover County, N.C., August 17, 1906; son of Rosser Yates Lennon and Minnie (High) Lennon; attended the public schools; graduated from Wake Forest College in 1929; studied law; admitted to the bar in 1929 and began practice in Wilmington, N.C.; married, October 12, 1933, to Karine Welch; served as judge, New Hanover County Recorder’s Court 1934–1942; member, State senate 1947–1951; appointed on July 10, 1953, as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Willis Smith and served from July 10, 1953, to November 28, 1954; was an unsuccessful candidate for the nomination in 1954 to fill the vacancy; resumed law practice; elected as a Democrat to the 85th Congress; reelected to the seven succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1957–January 3, 1973); was not a candidate for reelection in 1972; was a resident of Wilmington, N.C., until his death there December 28, 1986; interment in Oakdale Cemetery. Baptist. Member, Moose; Odd Fellows.

Preceded by
Willis Smith
United States Senator (Class 2) from North Carolina
July 10, 1953November 28, 1954
Served alongside: Clyde Roark Hoey, Sam Ervin
Succeeded by
William Kerr Scott
Preceded by
Frank Ertel Carlyle
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from North Carolina's 7th congressional district

1957–1973
Succeeded by
Charlie Rose