James H. Southard

Who was James H. Southard?

James Harding Southard was a U.S. Representative from Ohio.

Born near Toledo, Ohio, in Washington Township, Lucas County, Ohio, Southard attended the public schools and was graduated from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, in 1874. He studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1877 and commenced practice in Toledo, Ohio. He was appointed assistant prosecuting attorney of Lucas County in 1882. Twice elected prosecuting attorney of the county, and served in that office six years.

Southard was elected as a Republican to the Fifty-fourth and to the five succeeding Congresses. He served as chairman of the Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1906 to the Sixtieth Congress. He resumed the practice of law in Toledo, Ohio, until his death there February 20, 1919. He was interred in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Southard married Carrie T. Wales of Toledo in 1883. They had three children. He was a Freemason, Knights of Pythias, and Elk.