A. F. Hileman
A. F. Hileman (1851-1898)[1] was a North Carolina politician who holds a unique place in the history of the state as the only member of a third party, in this case the People's Party (or Populists), to serve as Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives (at least in the post-Civil War two-party system).
Hileman represented Cabarrus County, North Carolina in the House in the 1891, 1895, and 1897 sessions.[2] In 1897, he was elected Speaker of the House by a fusion of Republicans and Populists that won a majority in the 1896 elections that also brought to power Gov. Daniel L. Russell and Lt. Gov. Charles A. Reynolds (both Republicans).[3] The "fusionists" lost the controversial 1898 legislative elections to the Democrats.[4]