J. Alfred Taylor
Encyclopedia
James Alfred Taylor, better known as J. Alfred Taylor, (September 25, 1878 – June 9, 1956) was an American
politician
, a member of the Democratic Party from West Virginia
.
Taylor was born near Ironton
(Lawrence County
, Ohio
), where he attended the public schools. After graduating, he worked in a printing office in Ironton, before he moved to Alderson, West Virginia
, where he also was engaged in the newspaper business.
In 1905 he moved from Greenbrier County
to Fayette County
. Taylor served as a noncommissioned officer in the West Virginia National Guard
from 1908 to 1911.
His political career began in 1916, when he was elected and took seat in West Virginia House of Delegates
. Taylor served in this body until 1918 and later again two times (1920–1922 and 1930–1932). He eventually rose to Speaker during his last term.
in 1922 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from West Virginia's 6th District (now defunct). He served two terms (re-elected in 1924) from March 4, 1923 to March 4, 1927. He was defeated in his bid for a third term by Republican
candidate Edward T. England
.
Taylor resumed the newspaper publishing business and unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for Governor in 1928. During his later career he served on the West Virginia Liquor Commission (1941–1945) and was elected a member of the Fayette County Board of Education in 1946 for a six-year term.
Taylor died in Montgomery, West Virginia
and was interred in Huse Memorial Park in Fayetteville
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, a member of the Democratic Party from West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
.
Taylor was born near Ironton
Ironton, Ohio
Ironton is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Lawrence County. The municipality is located in southern Ohio along the Ohio River. The population was 11,211 at the 2000 census. Ironton is a part of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of the...
(Lawrence County
Lawrence County, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 62,319 people, 24,732 households, and 17,807 families residing in the county. The population density was 137 people per square mile . There were 27,189 housing units at an average density of 60 per square mile...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
), where he attended the public schools. After graduating, he worked in a printing office in Ironton, before he moved to Alderson, West Virginia
Alderson, West Virginia
Alderson, a town in the US State of West Virginia, is split geographically by the Greenbrier River, with portions in both Greenbrier and Monroe Counties. Although split physically by the river, the town functions as one entity, including that of town government...
, where he also was engaged in the newspaper business.
In 1905 he moved from Greenbrier County
Greenbrier County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 34,453 people, 14,571 households, and 9,922 families residing in the county. The population density was 34 people per square mile . There were 17,644 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile...
to Fayette County
Fayette County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 47,579 people, 18,945 households, and 13,128 families residing in the county. The population density was 72 people per square mile . There were 21,616 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile...
. Taylor served as a noncommissioned officer in the West Virginia National Guard
West Virginia National Guard
The West Virginia National Guard consists of the:*West Virginia Army National GuardTwo units of the West Virginia Army National Guard, the 150th Cavalry and the 201st Field Artillery, are among the nineteen Army National Guard units with campaign credit for the War of 1812.-External links:* *...
from 1908 to 1911.
His political career began in 1916, when he was elected and took seat in West Virginia House of Delegates
West Virginia House of Delegates
The West Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the West Virginia Legislature. Only three states—Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia—refer to their lower house as the House of Delegates.-Historical:-Current:-District organization:...
. Taylor served in this body until 1918 and later again two times (1920–1922 and 1930–1932). He eventually rose to Speaker during his last term.
in 1922 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from West Virginia's 6th District (now defunct). He served two terms (re-elected in 1924) from March 4, 1923 to March 4, 1927. He was defeated in his bid for a third term by Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
candidate Edward T. England
Edward T. England
Edward T. England was born in Gay, Jackson County, West Virginia and became a Republican politician from the U.S. state of West Virginia....
.
Taylor resumed the newspaper publishing business and unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for Governor in 1928. During his later career he served on the West Virginia Liquor Commission (1941–1945) and was elected a member of the Fayette County Board of Education in 1946 for a six-year term.
Taylor died in Montgomery, West Virginia
Montgomery, West Virginia
Montgomery is a city in West Virginia, along the Kanawha River. Most of the city is in Fayette County, with the remainder in Kanawha County. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,942 ....
and was interred in Huse Memorial Park in Fayetteville
Fayetteville, West Virginia
Fayetteville is a town in and the county seat of Fayette County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 2,754 at the 2000 census.Fayetteville was listed as one of the 2006 "Top 10 Coolest Small Towns in America" by Budget Travel Magazine ....
.