James M. Barnes (congressman)

James M. Barnes

James M. Barnes (January 9, 1899 – June 8, 1958) was a Member of the US House of Representatives from Illinois and Administrative Assistant to Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman.

Early life

James Martin Barnes was born on January 9, 1899 in Jacksonville, Illinois. He attended the local schools and served in the United States Marine Corps during World War I.[1]

Career

Barnes graduated from Illinois College in 1921 and Harvard Law School in 1924. He was admitted to the bar in 1924 and practiced in Jacksonville. He was also active in business, and served on the boards of directors of the Ideal Baking Company, the Jacksonville Farm Supply Company and other companies.[2]

A Democrat, he served as Morgan County Judge from 1926 to 1934, afterwards resuming the practice of law.[3][4]

Barnes was elected to the Seventy-sixth and Seventy-seventh Congresses and served from January 3, 1939 to January 3, 1943. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1942.[5]

In March, 1943 Barnes was appointed as Administrative Assistant to President Roosevelt. He continued in the position under President Truman following Roosevelt's death, serving from March 1, 1943 to July 15, 1945.[6] In 1944 he was a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention.[7]

After leaving the White House Barnes practiced law in Washington, D.C.[8][9]

Death and burial

Barnes died in Washington on June 8, 1958.[10] He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 13, Grave 14684-22-23. His gravesite is near the intersections of Farragut and Wilson Drives.[11]

References

  1. ↑ Illinois Secretary of State, Illinois Blue Book, 1941, page 55
  2. ↑ Durward Howes, editor, Who's Who Among the Young Men of the Nation, Volume 2, 1936, page 33
  3. ↑ John Leonard Conger, William Edgar Hull, editors, History of the Illinois River Valley, Volume 3, 1932, page 85
  4. ↑ Chicago Tribune, Obituary, James M. Barnes, June 9, 1958
  5. ↑ Chicago Tribune, Illinois G.O.P. Wins Four More Congress Posts, November 5, 1942
  6. ↑ Chicago Tribune, Downstate Lame Duck Appointed Roosevelt Aide: Ex-Rep. Barnes Gets $10,000 Job, March 4, 1943
  7. ↑ Associated Press, Dubuque Herald, Still Awaiting FDR's Views on Vice President, July 16, 1944
  8. ↑ Associated Press, Lewiston Tribune, Ex-Congressman Dead, June 9, 1958
  9. ↑ Illinois State Bar Association, Illinois Bar Journal, Volume 34, 1946, page 27
  10. ↑ New York Times, James Barnes, Ex-Representative, Dies; Lawyer in Capital Was Roosevelt Aide, June 9, 1958
  11. ↑ Arlington National Cemetery, Burial record, James Martin Barnes, accessed August 15, 2013

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Scott W. Lucas		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 20th congressional district
1939–1943 		Succeeded by
Sid Simpson
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