James Carson NEEDHAM, Congress, CA (1864-1942)

NEEDHAM, James Carson, a Representative from California; born in a covered wagon at Carson City, Nev., September 17, 1864; arrived with his parents at Mayfield, Santa Clara, Calif., October 1, 1864; attended the public schools; was graduated from the University of the Pacific at San Jose in 1886 and from the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1889; clerk in The Adjutant General’s Office of the War Department in Washington, D.C., from September 1, 1887, until September 1, 1888, when he resigned to complete his law course; was admitted to the bar in 1889 and commenced practice in Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.; unsuccessful candidate for election to the State senate in 1890; elected as a Republican to the Fifty-sixth and to the six succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1899-March 3, 1913); unsuccessful candidate in 1912 for reelection to the Sixty-third Congress; resumed the practice of law in San Diego, Calif., 1913-1916, when he returned to Modesto, Calif., and continued his profession; appointed judge of the superior court of California January 1, 1919; elected to the same office in 1920 to fill an unexpired term; reelected in 1922 and again in 1926, and served until January 1, 1935; died in Modesto, Calif., July 11, 1942; interment in the Masonic Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present