Representative from Illinois; born in Carlinville, Macoupin County, Ill., November 1, 1916; attended the public schools and Blackburn College in Carlinville, Ill., and St. Louis (Mo.) University; took special courses in aviation at Springfield (Ill.) Junior College and St. Louis (Mo.) University; engaged in the automotive sales and service business in Carlinville, Ill.; licensed commercial pilot; enlisted in United States Navy in 1942 and served four years in naval air force; Naval Reserve officer with rank of commander; pilot of single-engine “Friendship Flame” on round-the-world solo flight in 1951; elected as a Democrat to the Eighty-first and to the six succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1949-January 3, 1963); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1962 to the Eighty-eighth Congress; unsuccessful candidate for election in 1974 and in 1976 to the Ninety-fourth and Ninety-fifth Congresses; assistant to the president, Southern Railway, 1963-1975; owned and operated a real estate and investment firm; was a resident of Potomac, Md., until his death in Rockville, Md., July 4, 1986; interment in Arlington National Cemetery.