James Myers (politician)
Encyclopedia
James Myers was an American
politician who served as the second Lieutenant Governor
of Ohio
from 1854 to 1856.
of German ancestry. When young, his parents moved to Albany
and then Schenectady
, where he grew up. During the War of 1812
, he volunteered during the summer of 1813, and served on the northern frontier in the winter campaign under general Wade Hampton
. The next summer he was stationed at Brooklyn Heights
, near New York City
.
After the war ended, Myers farmed and engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1823 or 1825, he became collector of tolls at Schenectady on the new Erie Canal
, until 1836, when he moved to Toledo, Ohio
.
In Toledo, Myers became involved with the construction of the Miami and Erie Canal
. After completion of the canal, he concentrated on property management and real estate. He was elected to two terms under Ohio
's first constitution to the Ohio State Senate, to represent much of Northwest Ohio
starting in 1848. Under the new constitution, he served a single term as Lieutenant Governor of Ohio
as a Democrat.
He was in feeble health beginning in the mid 1850's, but served a two year term as a representative from Lucas County
in the Ohio House of Representatives
during the American Civil War
, after nomination by the Union
convention.
Myers health further declined, and after much pain, he died July 19, 1864 at his home, northwest corner of Jefferson and Superior Streets, Toledo.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician who served as the second Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of Ohio
The position of lieutenant governor of Ohio was established in 1852. The lieutenant governor becomes governor if the governor resigns, dies in office or is removed by impeachment. Before 1852, the president of the Ohio State Senate would serve as acting governor if a vacancy in the governorship...
of 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...
from 1854 to 1856.
Biography
James Myers was born in June 1795 in Dutchess County, New YorkDutchess County, New York
Dutchess County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. The 2010 census lists the population as 297,488...
of German ancestry. When young, his parents moved to Albany
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
and then Schenectady
Schenectady, New York
Schenectady is a city in Schenectady County, New York, United States, of which it is the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 66,135...
, where he grew up. During the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, he volunteered during the summer of 1813, and served on the northern frontier in the winter campaign under general Wade Hampton
Wade Hampton I
Wade Hampton was a South Carolina soldier, politician, two-term U.S. Congressman, and wealthy plantation owner. He was the scion of the politically important Hampton family, which was influential in state politics almost into the 20th century...
. The next summer he was stationed at Brooklyn Heights
Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
Brooklyn Heights is a culturally diverse neighborhood within the New York City borough of Brooklyn. Originally referred to as 'Brooklyn Village', it has been a prominent area of Brooklyn since 1834. As of 2000, Brooklyn Heights sustained a population of 22,594 people. The neighborhood is part of...
, near New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
After the war ended, Myers farmed and engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1823 or 1825, he became collector of tolls at Schenectady on the new Erie Canal
Erie Canal
The Erie Canal is a waterway in New York that runs about from Albany, New York, on the Hudson River to Buffalo, New York, at Lake Erie, completing a navigable water route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. The canal contains 36 locks and encompasses a total elevation differential of...
, until 1836, when he moved to Toledo, Ohio
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
.
In Toledo, Myers became involved with the construction of the Miami and Erie Canal
Miami and Erie Canal
The Miami and Erie Canal was a canal that connected the Ohio River in Cincinnati, Ohio with Lake Erie in Toledo, Ohio. Construction on the canal began in 1825 and was completed in 1845. It consisted of 19 aqueducts, three guard locks, and 103 canal locks. Each lock measured by and they...
. After completion of the canal, he concentrated on property management and real estate. He was elected to two terms under 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...
's first constitution to the Ohio State Senate, to represent much of Northwest Ohio
Northwest Ohio
Northwest or northwestern Ohio consists of multiple counties in the northwestern corner of the US state of Ohio. This area borders Lake Erie, southern Michigan, and eastern Indiana. Some areas in northwestern Ohio are also considered the Black Swamp area. The Toledo metropolitan area is also part...
starting in 1848. Under the new constitution, he served a single term as Lieutenant Governor of Ohio
Lieutenant Governor of Ohio
The position of lieutenant governor of Ohio was established in 1852. The lieutenant governor becomes governor if the governor resigns, dies in office or is removed by impeachment. Before 1852, the president of the Ohio State Senate would serve as acting governor if a vacancy in the governorship...
as a Democrat.
He was in feeble health beginning in the mid 1850's, but served a two year term as a representative from Lucas County
Lucas County, Ohio
----...
in the Ohio House of Representatives
Ohio House of Representatives
The Ohio House of Representatives is the lower house of the Ohio General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Ohio; the other house of the bicameral legislature being the Ohio Senate....
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...
, after nomination by the Union
Unionist Party (United States)
The Union Party was a fusion political party conceived by Republicans in 1861 to combine people of all political affiliations into a single movement committed to the preservation of the Union and to war. Republicans wanted to project an image of wartime nonpartisanship and they also expected to...
convention.
Myers health further declined, and after much pain, he died July 19, 1864 at his home, northwest corner of Jefferson and Superior Streets, Toledo.