James Taylor Ellyson

James Taylor Ellyson

James Taylor Ellyson (born May 20, 1847 in Richmond , Virginia , †  March 18, 1919 there ) was an American politician . Between 1906 and 1918 he was lieutenant governor of the state of Virginia.

Career

Despite his youth, James Ellyson served in the Confederation Army during the Civil War . It graduated from Richmond College in 1866 and 1867 . After completing a law degree at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville , he was admitted to the bar in 1869. It is not known whether he actually practiced as a lawyer. He worked as a reporter for the Richmond Daily Dispatch newspaper , which was owned by his father. He worked in the book trade in Richmond for 20 years. He also served as a director at the Alleghany Coal Company and some railroad companies.

Politically, Ellyson joined the Democratic Party . He became a member of the Richmond City Council. Between 1885 and 1888 he was a member of the Virginia Senate ; from 1888 to 1894 he was mayor of his hometown Richmond. From 1891 to 1916 he was state chairman of the Democrats, from 1912 to 1916 he was a member of the Democratic National Committee . He also held various other local offices in Richmond, including that of curator of Richmond College, of which he was chairman from 1908. He was also a Sunday school teacher in the Baptist Church . He was also a member of a Confederate veterans organization.

In 1905 Ellyson was elected lieutenant governor of Virginia alongside Claude A. Swanson . He held this office after two re-elections between 1906 and 1918. He was Deputy Governor and Chairman of the State Senate. He also served under Swanson's successors William Hodges Mann and Henry Carter Stuart . To date, he is the only lieutenant governor in Virginia who has served three consecutive terms. He died in Richmond on March 18, 1919.

Web links

• James Taylor Ellyson in the database of Find a Grave (English)
• The Political Graveyard
• Biography at the University of Richmond