James B. Frazier

James Beriah Frazier (born October 18, 1856 in Pikeville , Tennessee , † March 28, 1937 in Chattanooga , Tennessee) was an American politician and 32nd Governor of Tennessee.

Early years and political advancement

James Frazier attended Franklin College and graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1878. He then studied law and earned the necessary money as a teacher. In 1880 he was admitted to the bar and a partner in the Chattanooga-based law firm Dewitt, Shepard and Frazier. Frazier belonged to the Democratic Party. Due to his attractive personality and his rhetorical skills, he managed to build a political career. In 1900 he supported the Democratic presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan and was even one of his electors. Bryan lost to Republican William McKinley in the election . In 1902 Frazier successfully ran for the office of governor.

Governor of Tennessee

As governor, he wanted financial savings. As a result, he managed to reduce the national debt considerably. Nevertheless, he campaigned, also financially, for the expansion of the public school system, especially in the rural parts of the country. Another concern was the improvement of working conditions and safety precautions in the country's coal mines. He also supported laws to control the sale and trade of alcoholic beverages. In 1904 Frazier was confirmed in office. However, he completed only two months of his second term, and resigned on March 21, 1905, replacing the late US Senator and former Governor William Brimage Bate in the US Senate. Tennessee Senate Chairman John I. Cox ended Frazier's tenure as governor of Tennessee.

Further career and death

Frazier spent the following years up to March 1911 in the Senate in Washington, DC As a Democratic Senator, he campaigned for the expansion of the American road network with the help of federal funds. He also called for the introduction of a nationwide income tax . After his re-election to the Senate failed in 1910, he moved back to Chattanooga to resume his legal practice. There he supported both his Methodist church community and a Masonic lodge to which he belonged. Frazier died on March 28, 1937 in Chattanooga.

He was married to Louise Douglas Keith, with whom he had four children. His son James Beriah Frazier junior later also became politically active.

literature

Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978 . Volume 4, Meckler Books, Westport 1978. 4 volumes
The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography. Vol. 28. James T. White & Company, New York.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME	Frazier, James B.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Frazier, James Beriah (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician
DATE OF BIRTH	October 18, 1856
PLACE OF BIRTH	Pikeville , Tennessee
DATE OF DEATH	March 28, 1937
Place of death	Chattanooga, Tennessee