James L. Hodges

James Leonard Hodges (born April 24, 1790 in Taunton , Massachusetts , †  March 8, 1846 there ) was an American politician . Between 1827 and 1833 he represented the state of Massachusetts in the US House of Representatives .

Career

James Hodges attended public schools in his home country. After studying law and being admitted to the bar, he began to work in this profession. At times he also worked as a bank teller and post office keeper in Taunton. In 1820 he was a delegate to the Constitutional Adjustment Assembly following the creation of the new state of Maine , which had previously been part of Massachusetts. Hodges served in the Massachusetts Senate from 1823 to 1824 . In the 1820s he joined the movement against future President Andrew Jackson and became a member of the short-lived National Republican Party .

In the congressional elections of 1826 Hodges was elected to the United States House of Representatives in Washington, DC in the twelfth constituency of Massachusetts , where he succeeded Francis Baylies on March 4, 1827 . After two re-elections, he was able to complete three legislative terms in Congress by March 3, 1833 . Since President Jackson took office in 1829, there has been heated debate inside and outside of Congress about its policies. It was about the controversial enforcement of the Indian Removal Act , the conflict with the state of South Carolina , which culminated in the nullification crisis , and the banking policy of the president.

In 1832, James Hodges declined to run again for Congress. He died on March 8, 1846 in his hometown of Taunton, where he was also buried.

Web links

• James L. Hodges in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (English)

• James L. Hodges in the database of Find a Grave (English)