J. Howard Edmondson

J. Howard Edmondson
United States Senator
from Oklahoma
In office
January 7, 1963 – November 3, 1964
Appointed by George Nigh
Preceded by Robert S. Kerr
Succeeded by Fred R. Harris
16th Governor of Oklahoma
In office
January 12, 1959 – January 6, 1963
Lieutenant George Nigh
Preceded by Raymond D. Gary
Succeeded by George Nigh
Personal details
Born James Howard Edmondson
(1925-09-27)September 27, 1925
Muskogee, Oklahoma
Died November 17, 1971(1971-11-17) (aged 46)
Edmond, Oklahoma
Resting place Memorial Park Cemetery
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Jeanette Bartleson
Alma mater University of Oklahoma
Religion Presbyterianism
Military service
Allegiance United States United States of America
Service/branch  United States Army
Years of service 1942-1945
Unit United States Army Air Forces
Battles/wars World War II

James Howard Edmondson (September 27, 1925 – November 17, 1971) was an American politician from the U.S. state of Oklahoma. He served as the 16th governor of Oklahoma from 1959 to 1963, and a United States Senator from Oklahoma from 1963 to 1964. Elected at the age of 33, Edmondson still remains the youngest governor in the history of the state.[1]

Prior to serving as governor, Edmondson practiced law in Muskogee, Oklahoma, worked as the chief prosecutor of the Tulsa County attorney, and successfully campaigned to become the county attorney in 1954 and 1956.

Early life and career

Edmondson was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, attended elementary and secondary schools there and enrolled in the University of Oklahoma after high school graduation.[2] He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces in March 1942, and served until December 5, 1945. He returned to the University, was married to his childhood sweetheart, Jeanette Bartleson, in May 1946,[2] and completed his law degree in August 1948.[2] He had a son, James, Jr., and two daughters, Jeanne and Patricia.

After practicing law in Muskogee, Edmondson moved to Tulsa to become the chief prosecutor in the office of the county attorney of Tulsa County. He was elected county attorney in 1954 and was re-elected in 1956.

As governor, Edmondson helped to establish a state merit system and central purchasing, but failed in his attempt to transfer control of county road funds to the Oklahoma Department of Highways. He resigned in the final weeks of his gubernatorial term and was appointed to the United States Senate, where he was defeated by Fred Harris in his campaign for election to the seat. He later practiced law after leaving elective office and died of a heart attack and is buried in Oklahoma City.

Governor of Oklahoma

Edmondson was inaugurated as governor of Oklahoma on January 12, 1959, after winning the election by the largest majority ever given to a gubernatorial candidate in the state. He ran on a platform of reform, and passed many reforms despite opposition from the legislature during his first two years as governor.[2] He was also committed to a special election to repeal prohibition of the sale of alcohol, and successfully pushed a referendum through the legislature.[3] He was successful in establishing a state merit system and central purchasing, but failed in his attempt to transfer control of county road funds to the Department of Highways.[4]

He resigned from office as governor two weeks before the end of his term, on January 6, 1963, and was appointed to the United States Senate to fill the position left vacant by the death of Robert S. Kerr. He served in the Senate until November 1964. He ran in a 1964 special election to finish the last two years of the Senate term, but was defeated in the Democratic primary by Fred R. Harris.

Trivia

Edmondson was the brother of former U.S. Congressman Ed Edmondson. He was also the uncle of both former Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson and current Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice James E. Edmondson.Edmondson also appeared in 1959 on the television game show What's My Line?. The panel was astonished at his young age.

Death

Still a practicing attorney in Oklahoma City, Edmondson died November 17, 1971 of a heart attack in his home[5][6] and is buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Oklahoma City.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Governor James H. Edmondson." 100 Years of Oklahoma Governor's. Oklahoma Department of Libraries. Retrieved 10-13-09
  2. 1 2 3 4 Davis, Billy J. "Edmondson, James Howard (1925-1971)." Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History & Culture. Oklahoma Historical Society. Accessed September 1, 2015.
  3. ↑ Franklin, Jimmie L. "Prohibition," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Oklahoma Historical Society, Accessed September 1, 2015.
  4. ↑ Agnew, Brad. "Twentieth-Century Oklahoma," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Oklahoma Historical Society, September 1, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Heart Attack Claims J. Howard Edmondson", Lawton Constitiution, Wednesday, November 17, 1971, Lawton, Oklahoma, United States Of America
  6. ↑ "J. Howard Edmondson". Oklahoma Governors Since Statehood. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  7. ↑ "J. Howard Edmondson". Find A Grave. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
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Political offices
Preceded by
Raymond D. Gary		 Governor of
Oklahoma
1959–1963 		Succeeded by
George Nigh
United States Senate
Preceded by
Robert S. Kerr		 United States Senator from
Oklahoma
1963–1964 		Succeeded by
Fred Roy Harris
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