James C. Needham

Who was James C. Needham?

James Carson Needham was a U.S. Representative from California.

Born in a covered wagon at Carson City, Nevada, James Needham arrived as a babe in arms with his parents at Mayfield, Santa Clara, California, October 1, 1864. He attended the Santa Clara County public schools. He was graduated from the University of the Pacific at San Jose in 1886 and from the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1889. He served as clerk in The Adjutant General's Office of the War Department in Washington, D.C., from September 1, 1887, until September 1, 1888, when he resigned to complete his law course. He was admitted to the bar in 1889 and commenced practice in Modesto, California. He was an unsuccessful candidate for election to the State senate in 1890.

Needham was elected as a Republican to the Fifty-sixth and to the six succeeding Congresses. He was an unsuccessful candidate in 1912 for reelection to the Sixty-third Congress. He resumed the practice of law in San Diego, California from 1913 to 1916, when he returned to Modesto, California, and continued his profession. He was appointed judge of the superior court of California January 1, 1919.