James Gunn (Idaho politician)
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (March 2013) |
James Gunn | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Idaho's at-large district | |
| In office March 4, 1897 – March 3, 1899 | |
| Preceded by | Edgar Wilson |
| Succeeded by | Edgar Wilson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 6, 1843 County Fermanagh, Ireland |
| Died | November 5, 1911 (aged 68) Boise, Idaho, U.S. |
| Resting place | Morris Hill Cemetery Boise, Idaho |
| Political party | Populist |
| Residence(s) | Hailey, Idaho Boise, Idaho |
| Profession | Journalist |
James Gunn (March 6, 1843 – November 5, 1911) was a one-term U. S. Congressman from the state of Idaho.
Biography[edit]
Born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, Gunn emigrated to the United States with his parents while he was very young. The family settled in Wisconsin where he attended the common schools. James later attended the Notre Dame Academy in Indiana and taught school briefly before the Civil War.
In 1862, Gunn enlisted in the 27th Wisconsin Infantry and served with them for the remainder of the war. By the time he was discharged in October 1865, he was a Captain. He briefly studied law, but never practiced, and, in 1866, he headed west.
In the West, he followed opportunity and lived for a while in Gilpin County and Georgetown, Colorado. He also worked in Virginia City, Nevada, and in California before settling in Hailey, Idaho, in 1881. At Hailey, he went into the newspaper business, publishing the Wood River Valley Sentinel.
Gunn became a member of the Populist Party, and stood for office several times. When Idaho became a state in 1890, Gunn was elected to the Idaho State Senate.
He also served as editor of the Boise Sentinel until elected to the state's at-large seat in Congress. Gunn ran for the seat four times; in 1892, 1894, 1896, and 1898, but only his 1896 race was successful. He defeated Boise attorney William Borah,[1] who later served over 32 years as a U.S. Senator (1907–40). Gunn lost his bid for re-election in 1898 to Edgar Wilson, a Silver Republican, whom had preceded Gunn in office as a Republican.[2]
Gunn later was the commandant of the Idaho Soldiers' Home in 1901–03. He died in 1911 and is buried at Morris Hill Cemetery in Boise.
References[edit]
- ^ "1896 Idaho At-Large Congressional Election". Our Campaigns.com. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
- ^ "1898 Idaho At-Large Congressional Election". Our Campaigns.com. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
External links[edit]
- United States Congress. "James Gunn (id: G000525)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on 2008-11-05
- South Fork Companion: James Gunn
- James Gunn at Find a Grave
| Territorial (1863–1890) |
|  | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One at-large seat (1890–1913) |
| ||||
| Two at-large seats (1913–1919) |
| ||||
| Districts (1919–present) |
| ||||
- 1843 births
- 1911 deaths
- Politicians from County Fermanagh
- Irish emigrants to the United States
- People's Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Idaho
- Idaho Populists
- People from Boise, Idaho
- Idaho state senators
- Union Army officers
- People of Wisconsin in the American Civil War
- 19th-century American legislators
- Members of the United States House of Representatives from Idaho
- 19th-century Idaho politicians