Henry F. Ashurst

Date of Birth: September 13, 1874

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: May 31, 1962

Biography

Henry Fountain Ashurst was an American politician who played a significant role in the early 20th century. Born in a log cabin in Winnemucca, Nevada, Ashurst moved to Arizona Territory with his family in 1875. He grew up on various cattle ranches and attended public schools in Flagstaff before heading to Stockton Business College in California and then the University of Michigan Law School. After being admitted to the bar in 1897, he began his practice in Williams, Arizona. Ashurst’s political career took off quickly; he served as a district attorney and then as a member of the Arizona Territorial House of Representatives. His most significant political achievement came when he became one of Arizona’s first U.S. Senators in 1912, a position he held until 1941. Known for his oratory skills, Ashurst was often referred to as the “Silver-Tongued Orator of the Senate.” Ashurst’s tenure in the Senate was marked by his strong support for New Deal legislation during the Great Depression. After losing his Senate seat in 1940, he briefly served on the United States Board of Immigration Appeals before retiring from public life.

5 Interesting Facts about Henry F. Ashurst

1. Henry F. Ashurst was one of the first two Senators from the state of Arizona, elected in 1912.

2. He was known for his exceptional oratory skills and was often called the “Silver-Tongued Orator of the Senate.”

3. Ashurst had a flair for the dramatic and was known for his colorful and poetic speeches.

4. Although a staunch supporter of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, he was not re-elected in 1940 due to his opposition to some labor legislation.

5. After his political career, Ashurst made a cameo appearance in the 1941 film “Arizona.”

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Henry F. Ashurst

1. “When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President. I’m beginning to believe it.”

2. “Politics is like a race horse. A good jockey must know how to fall with the least possible damage.”

3. “I simply do not know where the money is to come from.”

4. “I have no objection to the fact that men are imperfect. I would not want to live in a world of perfect people.”

5. “A thin skin is the gift of the political opponent.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth Henry F. Ashurst achieved was not widely documented, but as a long-serving U.S. Senator, his net worth was modest compared to modern standards, estimated in the range of $100,000 to $200,000 at the peak of his career.