Andrew Jackson James (June 14, 1817 – April 4, 1883) was an American lawyer and state representative, who served as Attorney General of Kentucky and as Secretary of State of Kentucky. Before becoming Attorney General, he served as a state representative of Pulaski County, Kentucky.

Andrew J. James
Attorney General of Kentucky
In office
1859–1863
Preceded byJames Harlan
Succeeded byJohn Marshall Harlan
Secretary of State of Kentucky
In office
1871–1872
Preceded bySamuel B. Churchill
Succeeded byGeorge Washington Craddock
Personal details
BornJune 14, 1817
Pulaski County, Kentucky, United States
DiedApril 4, 1883
Fayette County, Kentucky, United States
SpouseMary Allison Beattie
Children8
Parent(s)Daniel F. James and Eleanor Evans

Early life

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James was born June 14, 1817, in Pulaski County, Kentucky, near Somerset, to Daniel F. James and Eleanor James.[1] He had three brothers and five sisters.[1]

Personal life

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James married Mary A. Beattie on March 16, 1841, and together they had eight children.[1] Two of his sons, John and Daniel James, were also attorneys.[1]

Career

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James was made clerk of Pulaski County from the age of fifteen where he served until he was twenty-one. He then started his law practice in Somerset. He was a candidate for elector for Martin Van Buren in 1840. James was elected to represent Pulaski County in the Kentucky House of Representatives in 1855 and served until 1856.[2][3] He was elected to the position of state Attorney General in 1859,[3] and then in 1871, he was appointed as Secretary of State and served one year in the administration of Governor Preston H. Leslie, 1871–72.[3] He resigned due to health and private business reasons and was succeeded by George W. Craddock.[4] He practiced in Frankfort until two years before his death in 1883.[5]

Death

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He died April 4, 1883, on his farm in Fayette County from tuberculosis aged 67.[5] He was survived by his wife and six of his children and was buried in Frankfort Cemetery.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Andrew Jackson James · Civil War Governors of Kentucky".
  2. ^ "Kentucky House of Representatives". The Kentucky Tribune. 24 August 1855. p. 3. Retrieved 23 January 2024.  
  3. ^ a b c "Kentucky: Secretary of State - Online Services". web.sos.ky.gov. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  4. ^ "A.J. James resignation as Secretary of State for Kentuci". The Hickman Courier. 15 June 1872. p. 3. Retrieved 23 January 2024.  
  5. ^ a b c "Andrew Jackson James Obituary". The Frankfort Roundabout. 7 April 1883. p. 2. Retrieved 23 January 2024.