Arthur H. JAMES, American Lieutenant Governor. Member: Supreme Council Scottish Rite Masons, 33°; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.; I.O.O.M.; Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Knights of Pythias.; Junior. Order of United American Mechanics; P.O.S. of A.; K. of M.
Background
The oldest of eight children, Arthur James was born in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, to James D. and Rachel (née Edwards) James. His parents were Welsh immigrants. His father worked as a mining foreman and his mother as a schoolteacher.
His mother died while he was still in grammar school, and his father subsequently tutored him and his siblings.
Education
After graduating from Plymouth High School in 1901, James studied at Dickinson Law School in Carlisle.
Career
A Republican, he served as the 14th Lieutenant Governor (1927–1931) and the 31st Governor (1939–1943) of Pennsylvania. As a child, he worked as a breaker boy and mule driver in the coal mines of northeastern Pennsylvania. In 1904, he earned his law degree and was admitted to the Barometer
He entered into private practice in Plymouth, later opening another office in Wilkes-Barre.
From 1920 to 1926, he served as district attorney of Luzerne County. After serving one term under Governor John South. Fisher, he was elected as a judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, serving from 1932 to 1939.
In 1938, incumbent Democratic Governor George H. Earle unsuccessfully challenged Republican James J. Davis for a seat in the United States Senate. James entered the race to succeed Earle as governor, campaigning to reduce taxes, balance the budget, make the state more attractive to businesses, and end political corruption.
He was elected the 31st in the general election, defeating Democrat Charles Alvin Jones by more than 279,000 votes.
He received more votes than any previous gubernatorial candidate in Pennsylvania. During his tenure as governor, James created the state Department of Commerce and the Anthracite Emergency Commission, extended the Pennsylvania Turnpike, signed a bill banning sit-down strikes, strengthened the civil service, and reinforced liquor control laws. He also turned the state"s $58 million deficit into a $75 million surplus.
During the early part of World World War II, he established the State Council of Defense and the Selective Service Board and later created the Pennsylvania Reserve Defense Corps and the Citizens" Defense Corps for homeland defense.
At the 1940 Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, he was nominated for President of the United States by Joseph North. Pew, Junior. After serving one term as governor, James resumed his law practice.
In 1944, Governor Edward Martin appointed James to fill a vacancy on the Superior Court, on which he had previously served. However, he was narrowly defeated to remain on the court in 1944, losing to Democrat F. Clair Ross.
He returned to Plymouth, where he practiced law and worked with local organizations for nearly thirty years.
James died at age 89, and is buried in Hanover Green Cemetery.
Achievements
Membership
Member: Supreme Council Scottish Rite Masons, 33°. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. I.O.O.M.; Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Knights of Pythias.; Junior. Order of United American Mechanics. P.O.S. of A.; K. of M.
Connections
Spouse Ada Morris, October 23, 1912, Sugar Notch, Pennsylvania.