James G. Field

James Gaven Field (Feb 24, 1826- Oct 12, 1901) was an Attorney General from Virginia and the People’s Party candidate for vice-president of the United States in 1892.

Early Life

Field was born at Walnut, Culpepper County, VA, the son of Judge Lewis Yancy and Maria (Duncan) Field, and a descendant of Sir John Field, of England. After attending a classical school, he engaged in mercantile pursuits at Fairfax, VA, and subsequently taught school. In 1848 he accompanied Maj. Hill, paymaster in the U.S. Army, to California as clerk, and became engaged in the pay department of the U.S. Army. He was chosen a secretary of the convention that framed the first constitution of the state of California in 1850, and in October of the same year returned to Virginia, where he studied law with his uncle, Judge Richard H. Field, and was admitted to the bar in 1852. He was the Commonwealth’s attorney of his native county during 1859-61.

Civil War

In the civil war he served on the staff of General A. P. Hill, with the rank of major; was wounded at the Battle of Cold Harbor and lost a leg at the Battle of Cedar Creek.

Political Life

He became attorney-general of Virginia in 1877, and after serving five years in this capacity retired to a farm in Albermarle county, VA. In 1892 he was the People’s Party candidate for vice-president of the United States on the ticket with James B. Weaver for president, and received twenty-two electoral votes and 1,041,028 popular votes.

He was married, first in 1854, to a Miss Cowherd, and, second, in 1882, to Miss Logwood. His last years were spent in Gordonsville, VA, and he died there, Oct. 12, 1901.