Robert T. Ashmore

Robert Thomas Ashmore
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 4th district
In office June 2, 1953 – January 3, 1969
Preceded by	Joseph R. Bryson
Succeeded by	James R. Mann
Personal details
Born	(1904-02-22)February 22, 1904 Greenville, South Carolina
Died	October 5, 1989(1989-10-05) (aged 85) Greenville, South Carolina
Political party	Democratic Party
Alma mater	Furman University
Occupation	Attorney
Religion	Baptist
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army; United States Army Reserves
Years of service	1942 – 1946; 1946 – 1955
Rank	Colonel
Battles/wars	Second World War

Robert Thomas Ashmore (February 22, 1904 – October 5, 1989) was a U.S. Representative from South Carolina, cousin of John D. Ashmore.

Born on a farm near Greenville, South Carolina, Ashmore attended the public schools of Greenville. He graduated from Furman University Law School, Greenville, South Carolina, in 1927. While a student he engaged in agricultural work, retail sales, and as a substitute rural mail carrier. He was admitted to the bar in January 1928 and engaged in the practice of law in Greenville, South Carolina. He served as solicitor of Greenville County Court 1930–1934, and then as solicitor of the thirteenth judicial circuit of South Carolina 1936–1953. During World War II, while on official leave from duties as solicitor, Ashmore volunteered for service in the United States Army in December 1942, serving in the United States and overseas until discharged from active duty in May 1946, as a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army Reserve. He was promoted to colonel in 1955.

Ashmore was elected as a Democrat to the Eighty-third Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Joseph R. Bryson. He was reelected to the Eighty-fourth and to the six succeeding Congresses (June 2, 1953 – January 3, 1969). He was not a candidate for reelection in 1968 to the Ninety-first Congress. He resumed the practice of law.

He served as member of the board of South Carolina Appalachian Regional Planning and Development Commission (later South Carolina Appalachian Council of Governments) from 1970 to 1989, and chairman from 1970 to 1972. He was a resident of Greenville, South Carolina, until his death there on October 5, 1989. He was interred in White Oak Baptist Church Cemetery, Greenville, South Carolina.

Sources

• United States Congress. "Robert T. Ashmore (id: A000223)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. 
• Robert T. Ashmore at Find-A-Grave