John H. James
Encyclopedia
John H. James was an American banker, politician, and businessman who served as the 21st Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia
, in 1871.
James was born in Henry County, Georgia
, where he farmed until moving to Atlanta in 1850 to clerk for $10 a month and after three years was making $700 a year.
After that he went into sales, running auctions of books, jewelry and other valuables throughout the Southern states
.
During the American Civil War
he and his wife travelled to Canada
and Nassau, Bahamas
, and afterwards they returned to Atlanta where he founded the James Bank. In 1869, he purchased a large city lot that stretched from Peachtree to Spring Street along Cain (today's International Blvd) and built a large mansion. Within a year it was purchased by the state of Georgia to become the Governor's mansion for which purpose it survived until 1923. He made over $30,000 on the deal and immediately built his next home on the south end of that same block (where the old Macy's building stands today).
He won nearly 100% of the December 1871 mayoral election as a Democrat
which put an end to the brief surge of Radical Republican power in the city. He sold his home at Ellis and Peachtree in 1883 to the Capital City Club who used it until their new building on Harris was completed in 1913.
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, in 1871.
James was born in Henry County, Georgia
Henry County, Georgia
Henry County is a growing suburban county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the population was 119,341. As of 2010, the county's population swelled to 203,922, up 70.9% from the previous census and becoming Georgia's 8th most populous county and the 10th fastest growing...
, where he farmed until moving to Atlanta in 1850 to clerk for $10 a month and after three years was making $700 a year.
After that he went into sales, running auctions of books, jewelry and other valuables throughout the Southern states
Southern States
Southern States may refer to:*Southern United States*Southern States Cooperative*The independent states of the South in the North-South divide*The independent states of the Southern hemisphere...
.
During the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
he and his wife travelled to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and Nassau, Bahamas
Nassau, Bahamas
Nassau is the capital, largest city, and commercial centre of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The city has a population of 248,948 , 70 percent of the entire population of The Bahamas...
, and afterwards they returned to Atlanta where he founded the James Bank. In 1869, he purchased a large city lot that stretched from Peachtree to Spring Street along Cain (today's International Blvd) and built a large mansion. Within a year it was purchased by the state of Georgia to become the Governor's mansion for which purpose it survived until 1923. He made over $30,000 on the deal and immediately built his next home on the south end of that same block (where the old Macy's building stands today).
He won nearly 100% of the December 1871 mayoral election as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
which put an end to the brief surge of Radical Republican power in the city. He sold his home at Ellis and Peachtree in 1883 to the Capital City Club who used it until their new building on Harris was completed in 1913.