James Z. Spearing

Who was James Z. Spearing?

James Zacharie Spearing was a U.S. Representative from Louisiana.

Born in Alto, Texas, Spearing moved with his parents to New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1866. He attended the public schools. He left school and went to work in 1877. He was graduated from the law department of Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1886. He was admitted to the bar in 1886 and commenced practice in New Orleans. He served as member of the Orleans Parish school board 1908-1912. He served as member of the State board of education 1912-1916. He was again a member of the Orleans Parish school board 1916-1920, serving as president in 1919 and 1920. Alternate delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1912.

Spearing was elected as a Democrat to the Sixty-eighth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of H. Garland Dupré. He was reelected to the Sixty-ninth, Seventieth, and Seventy-first Congresses and served from April 22, 1924, to March 3, 1931. He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1930. He resumed the practice of law in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he died November 2, 1942. He was interred in Metairie Cemetery.