Littleton Waller Tazewell Bradford

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]

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

Early life

Bradford was born Littleton Waller Tazewell Bradford in Norfolk, Virginia in 1848.[2] His parents were Anne Elizabeth (née Tazewell) and Edmund Bradford, a veteran and graduate of the United States Military Academy who was 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.[2] On his maternal size, he was a descedant of Henry Tazewell.[2] 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 cades 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.

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.

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. 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. Stewart, William Henry (1902). History of Norfolk County, Virginia, and Representative Citizens. Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company. pp. 385–386 – via Google Books.
  3. "Littleton Waller Tazewell | VMI Archives Digital Collections". Virginia Military Institute. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  4. 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. 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. "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).
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