James LeRoy Giles (June 16, 1863 – May 3, 1946) was the twenty-second, twenty-fourth, and twenty-sixth Mayor of Orlando, serving non-consecutively from 1916 to 1920, 1924 to 1926, and 1929 to 1932. He also served as an alternate delegate to the Democratic National Convention from Florida in the 1912 United States Presidential Election.[1]
James LeRoy Giles | |
|---|---|
| 22nd Mayor of Orlando | |
| In office August 13, 1916 – January 1, 1920 | |
| Preceded by | E. Frank Sperry |
| Succeeded by | Eugene Duckworth |
| 24th Mayor of Orlando | |
| In office April 2, 1924 – January 1, 1926 | |
| Preceded by | Eugene Duckworth |
| Succeeded by | Latta Malette Autrey |
| 26th Mayor of Orlando | |
| In office January 1, 1929 – January 1, 1932 | |
| Preceded by | Latta Malette Autrey |
| Succeeded by | Samuel Yulee Way |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 16, 1863 Zellwood, Orange County, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | May 3, 1946 (aged 82) Orlando, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Democrat |
| Spouse | Nannie C. (Bartlett) Giles |
| Children | Leroy Bartlett, Edna Adelma (Radebaugh), and Estelle (Weathersbee) |
| Parent(s) | Enoch H. Giles and Nellie B. Giles |
| Occupation | Real estate dealer |
Biography
editJames Giles was born in Zellwood in Orange County, Florida, on June 16, 1863. His father was the Reverend Enoch H. Giles (1836–1908) and his mother was Nellie B. Giles (1847–1917).
He first became Mayor of Orlando when he succeeded incumbent E. Frank Sperry upon his death on August 13, 1916.[2]
In his 1919 bid for reelection, he was defeated by Eugene Duckworth. Later, in 1924, he became mayor again upon Duckworth's resignation from office due to a failed city commissioners recall election.[3] [4] [5]
He was defeated in his bid for reelection again in 1925 by Latta Malette Autrey,[6] but subsequently defeated Autrey in the next election in 1929.[7] He did not run for another term in 1931, and was succeeded by Samuel Yulee Way.
Death
editGiles died on May 3, 1946, in Orlando, Florida. He was 82 years old. He was interred at Greenwood Cemetery.
Legacy
editHis niece Edna Giles Fuller would eventually become the first woman elected to the Florida House of Representatives.[8]
References
edit- ^ Larry Kestenbaum. "Giles, James L. (b. 1863)". politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
- ^ "Mayor Sperry of Orlando Dies at Home in This City Sunday Afternoon at 73 Years of Age". Orlando Evening Star. 1916-08-16. p. 6. Retrieved 2024-05-26 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Duckworth's Resignation Is Accepted". Orlando Evening Star. 1924-03-05. p. 1. Retrieved 2024-05-26 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Mayor Duckworth To Resign Brokaw and Hausel Defeated Yesterday". Orlando Morning Sentinel. March 5, 1924. p. 1. Retrieved May 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Bond Issue Defeated - Giles Elected Mayor". Orlando Morning Sentinel. April 2, 1924. p. 1. Retrieved November 14, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Mayor Autrey Assumes Duty as City Ruler". Orlando Morning Sentinel. January 2, 1926. p. 1. Retrieved November 7, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Large Throng Attends Giles Inauguration". Orlando Morning Sentinel. January 2, 1929. p. 1. Retrieved November 7, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Mark Andrews (October 17, 1999). "Pioneering Public Women Also Excelled In Other Fields". Orlando Sentinel.
