James D. Richardson

James D. Richardson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 5th district
In office March 4, 1885 – March 3, 1905
Preceded by	Richard Warner
Succeeded by	William C. Houston
House Minority Leader
In office 1899–1903
Preceded by	Joseph Weldon Bailey
Succeeded by	John Sharp Williams
Personal details
Born	(1843-03-10)March 10, 1843 Rutherford County, Tennessee
Died	Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Alabama Rebecca Pippen Richardson
Children	Annie Augusta Richardson Ida Lee Richardson James Daniel Richardson Allie Sue Richardson John Watkins Richardson
Alma mater	Franklin College, Tennessee
Military service
Allegiance	Confederate States of America
Service/branch	Confederate States Army
Rank	adjutant
Unit	Forty-fifth Regiment, Tennessee Infantry
Battles/wars	American Civil War

James Daniel Richardson (March 10, 1843 – July 24, 1914) was an American politician and a Democrat from Tennessee for Tennessee's 5th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1885 through 1905.

Biography

Richardson was born in Rutherford County, Tennessee, son of John Watkins and Augusta M. Starnes Richardson. he attended the country schools and Franklin College, near Nashville. He married Alabama Pippen on January 18, 1865, and they had five children, Annie Augusta, Ida Lee, James Daniel, Allie Sue, and John Watkins.

Career

Before graduating from college, Richardson enlisted in the Confederate States Army during the Civil War, and served nearly four years. The first year he was a private and the remaining three years as adjutant of the Forty-fifth Regiment, Tennessee Infantry. studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice January 1, 1867, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives, serving from 1871 to 1873, and then to the Tennessee Senate, serving from 1873 to 1875. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1876, 1896, and 1900, and presided as permanent chairman at the 1900 convention.

Elected as a Democratic to the Forty-ninth and to the nine succeeding Congresses, Richardson served from March 4, 1885 to March 3, 1905. He was among the earliest U.S. House Minority Leaders, holding that position from 1899 to 1903, during the 56th and 57th United States Congresses.

Pursuant to an act of Congress on August 20, 1894, Richardson was charged with compiling the "Messages and Papers of the Presidents," a multi-volume work including every single important document from the federal Government, from the early days of President Washington through the second administration of Grover Cleveland, plus some papers from the administration of William McKinley.

Death

Richardson died on July 24, 1914 (age 71 years, 136 days) in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He is interred at Evergreen Cemetery.

External links

• James D. Richardson at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Works by James D. Richardson at Project Gutenberg
• Works by James D. Richardson at LibriVox (public domain audiobooks)
• James D. Richardson at Find a Grave

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by Richard Warner	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 5th congressional district 1885-1905	Succeeded by William C. Houston
Preceded by David B. Culberson	Democratic Caucus Chairman of the United States House of Representatives 1897–1899	Succeeded by James Hay
Preceded by Joseph Weldon Bailey	Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives 1899–1903	Succeeded by John Sharp Williams