Middleton, Jr., James "Jas."
House 1876 (District 22)
Party when first elected: Democratic
Counties Served:
Washington
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Date of Birth:
5/20/1833
Birth Place:
Londonderry
Birth County:
Donegal
Birth Country:
Ireland
Date of Death:
9/2/1902
Gender:
Male
Religion:
Congregational
Reported Minority: None Reported
Other Names:
Jas.
City of Residence (when first elected):
Woodbury
Occupation (when first elected):
Farmer, Bailey Road
EDUCATION
Schools in Ireland; At Least Elementary School;
OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE
County Board/Commissioner:
Washington County, Minnesota (County Agricultural Society, Treasurer and Vice-President);
18?? to 187?
Territorial Government:
Minnesota Territorial Legislature (Sergeant at Arms);
1854 to 1854
[Appointed]
County Board/Commissioner:
Washington County, Minnesota (County Commissioner, 4th District, around 1873, 5 years);
1873 to 187?
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
Spouse:
Eldora "Ella" Masterman (married on September 20, 1866; she died on September 10, 1902)
Children:
Seven children: Arthur (died before he took office), Carrie Evelyn, Georgella, James Edwin, Alice Catherine (died before he took office), Margaret Jane (born after he left office), and Annabelle "Nannie" (born after he left office)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
Wellington C. Masterman
- Second Cousin-in-Law
GENERAL NOTES
He came to Minnesota in May 1845, with his parents and resided in Washington County. He moved to St. Paul, Minnesota in 1882.
"At that early age politics interested him and he became a staunch member of the Democratic party." (Middleton Moody, Carrie. The Story of James and Ella. Somerset Press, 1954, p. 23.)
He was an unsuccessful candidate for the Minnesota Senate in the 1878 election.
He was appointed President of the Board of Directors of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company in 1877. He was also a Road Supervisor, and a Board Member at German American Bank. He was involved in real estate and loans after he left office and was a member of the Middleton and Dougan firm.
He was a member of the Free Masons of Cottage Grove, Minnesota.
His wife, Ella Masterman, and Wellington C. Masterman were second cousins; their fathers were cousins.
He died of uremic poisoning (kidney failure), in St. Paul, Minnesota and was buried at the Cottage Grove Cemetery.
Birth date, birth county, birth place (uncertain), family data, other government service, other occupations, death date, death location, and burial location provided by a relative.
He attended the 1st Congregational Church in Cottage Grove, Minnesota.
Religion provided by a relative.
Elected: 11/2/1875
Residence: Woodbury
Term of Office: 1/4/1876 to 1/1/1877
Counties Represented:
Washington
Occupation: Farmer, Bailey Road
Party:
Democratic
Party Notes: "At that early age politics interested him and he became a staunch member of the Democratic party." (Middleton Moody, Carrie. The Story of James and Ella. Somerset Press, 1954, p. 23.)
Committees:
-
Joint Apportionment
-
Railroads
-
State Prison
Photographs
Articles & Books About
Middleton Moody, Carrie. The Story of James and Ella. Somerset Press, 1954.
These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.