James H. Southard

James Harding Southard (January 20, 1851 – February 20, 1919) was an American lawyer and politician who served six terms as a U.S. Representative from Ohio from 1895 to 1907.

James Harding Southard
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 9th district
In office
March 4, 1895 – March 3, 1907
Preceded byByron F. Ritchie
Succeeded byIsaac R. Sherwood
Personal details
Born(1851-01-20)January 20, 1851
Washington Township, Ohio
DiedFebruary 20, 1919(1919-02-20) (aged 68)
Toledo, Ohio
Political partyRepublican
SpouseCarrie T. Wales
Childrenthree
Alma materCornell University
Signature
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Biography

Born near Toledo, Ohio, in Washington Township, Lucas County, Ohio, Southard attended the public schools and was graduated from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, in 1874. He studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1877 and commenced practice in Toledo, Ohio. He was appointed assistant prosecuting attorney of Lucas County in 1882. Twice elected prosecuting attorney of the county, he served in that office six years.

Congress

Southard was elected as a Republican to the Fifty-fourth and to the five succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1895 – March 3, 1907).

He served as chairman of the Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures (Fifty-sixth through Fifty-ninth Congresses). During his time in Congress, Southard passed legislation establishing the National Bureau of Standards, and introduced a bill (though it never passed) requiring the U.S. to adopt the metric system.[1]

He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1906 to the Sixtieth Congress.

Private life

He resumed the practice of law in Toledo, Ohio, until his death there February 20, 1919. He was interred in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Southard married Carrie T. Wales of Toledo in 1883. They had three children.[2] He was a Freemason, a member of the Knights of Pythias, and an Elk.[2]

References
  1. John Perry, The Story of Standards, Funk and Wagnalls, 1953, Library of Congress Cat. No. 55-11094, p. 123
  2. Randall, Emilius; Ryan, Daniel Joseph (1915). History of Ohio: the Rise and Progress of an American State. Vol. 6. New York: The Century History Company. p. 362.

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

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