Amaziah B. James

Amaziah Bailey James (July 1, 1812 - July 6, 1883) was a U.S. Representative from New York.

Born in Stephentown, New York, James moved with his father to Sweden, New York, in 1814.He pursued an academic course. At the age of fourteen was apprenticed to the printer's trade in Batavia, New York.He moved to Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence County, New York, in 1831 and established the Northern Light, a weekly newspaper. Later became part owner of the Times and Advertiser, the Whig paper of the county.He served as captain of the Ogdensburg Artillery in 1836. Afterward promoted to major general of militia.He studied law.He was admitted to the bar in 1838 and commenced practice in Ogdensburg.

James was elected justice of the State supreme court in 1853.He was reelected in 1861 and again in 1869 and served until 1876.He served as member of the peace convention of 1861 held in Washington, D.C., in an effort to devise means to prevent the impending war.

James was elected as a Republican to the Forty-fifth and Forty-sixth Congresses (March 4, 1877-March 3, 1881). While serving his second term in Congress was stricken with paralysis, from which he partially recovered.He died in Ogdensburg, New York, July 6, 1883.He was interred in the City Cemetery.

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