James Capehart

Who was James Capehart?

James Capehart was a Democratic politician from West Virginia who served as a United States Representative. Congressman Capehart was born in Point Pleasant in Mason County, Virginia on March 7, 1847. He served in the 52nd and 53rd United States Congresses. He died on April 28, 1921.

As a child, he attended the public schools and went to Marietta College, Ohio. He also studied at Duff’s Commercial College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He worked for his father as a clerk and bookkeeper. From 1867 to 1903 he pursued an interest in agriculture and breeding livestock. He served as president of the Mason County Court in 1871, 1872, and again from 1880 to 1885.

In 1888, he was chosen to serve as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. He was elected to his first term in Congress in 1890, serving from 1891 to 1895. He did not run for re-election in 1894. He worked as president of the Point Pleasant National Bank in 1901. After 1903 he became renewed his interest agriculture, growing fruit in Brevard County, Florida. He lived in Cocoa, Florida until his death on April 28, 1921. He was buried in Lone Oak Cemetery, Point Pleasant, West Virginia.