Ashton Dovell
Encyclopedia
Grover Ashton Dovell was an American politician and lawyer
. A Democrat
, he served in the Virginia House of Delegates
1924–42 and was its Speaker 1936–42.
to Early Beauregard and Lucy Bond Dovell. He received a B.A.
degree from the University of Virginia
and a LL.D from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law
, after which he settled in Williamsburg, Virginia
to practice law. He served for a time as city attorney of Williamsburg.
On February 28, 1911, Dovell married Martha Lane at Bruton Parish Church
in Williamsburg.
Dovell served in World War I
, and afterward was active in the American Legion
.
Dovell was the first president of the Rotary Club of Williamsburg, Virginia, chartered on 18 October 1924.
. He became Speaker in 1936. His House career ended in early 1942.
He was named a trustee of Colonial Williamsburg
, whose reconstruction began during his term.
Dovell was a presidential elector
in 1932, and a delegate to the 1940 Democratic National Convention
.
1945–46.
He died in Richmond, Virginia
October 28, 1949. He was interred at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Williamsburg.
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
. A Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, he served in the Virginia House of Delegates
Virginia House of Delegates
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
1924–42 and was its Speaker 1936–42.
Early life
Dovell was born in Madison County, VirginiaMadison County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,520 people, 4,739 households, and 3,521 families residing in the county. The population density was 39 people per square mile . There were 5,239 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile...
to Early Beauregard and Lucy Bond Dovell. He received a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree from the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
and a LL.D from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law
Marshall-Wythe School of Law
William & Mary Law School, located in Williamsburg, Virginia, is the oldest law school in the United States. William & Mary Law School is a part of the College of William & Mary, the second oldest college in the United States. The Law School maintains an enrollment of about six hundred students...
, after which he settled in Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg is an independent city located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, USA. As of the 2010 Census, the city had an estimated population of 14,068. It is bordered by James City County and York County, and is an independent city...
to practice law. He served for a time as city attorney of Williamsburg.
On February 28, 1911, Dovell married Martha Lane at Bruton Parish Church
Bruton Parish Church
Bruton Parish Church is located in the restored area of Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. It was established in 1674 in the Virginia Colony, and remains an active Episcopal parish.-History of Bruton Parish Church:...
in Williamsburg.
Dovell served in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, and afterward was active in the American Legion
American Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
.
Dovell was the first president of the Rotary Club of Williamsburg, Virginia, chartered on 18 October 1924.
Political career
Dovell was elected in 1923 to a House of Delegates district that included Williamsburg and four neighboring counties on the Virginia PeninsulaVirginia Peninsula
The Virginia Peninsula is a peninsula in southeast Virginia, USA, bounded by the York River, James River, Hampton Roads and Chesapeake Bay.Hampton Roads is the common name for the metropolitan area that surrounds the body of water of the same name...
. He became Speaker in 1936. His House career ended in early 1942.
He was named a trustee of Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg is the private foundation representing the historic district of the city of Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. The district includes buildings dating from 1699 to 1780 which made colonial Virginia's capital. The capital straddled the boundary of the original shires of Virginia —...
, whose reconstruction began during his term.
Dovell was a presidential elector
United States Electoral College
The Electoral College consists of the electors appointed by each state who formally elect the President and Vice President of the United States. Since 1964, there have been 538 electors in each presidential election...
in 1932, and a delegate to the 1940 Democratic National Convention
1940 Democratic National Convention
The 1940 Democratic National Convention was held at the Chicago Stadium in Chicago, Illinois from July 15–18, 1940. The convention resulted in the re-nomination of President Franklin Roosevelt as the Democratic Party candidate for an unprecedented third term. Secretary of Agriculture Henry A...
.
Later years
Dovell served as president of the Virginia State BarVirginia State Bar
Created in 1938, The Virginia State Bar is the administrative agency of the Supreme Court of Virginia whose purpose is to regulate, improve and advance the legal profession in Virginia. The Bar was established by an act of the Virginia General Assembly and is delegated the power to issue...
1945–46.
He died in Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
October 28, 1949. He was interred at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Williamsburg.