James Colgate Cleveland
Encyclopedia
James Colgate Cleveland was an American
politician
in the Republican
party. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives
from 1963 until 1981.
Cleveland was born in 1920 to Dr. Mather Cleveland and Susan Colgate Cleveland. He was the second of six children and the eldest son (brother to actress Patience Cleveland
). He graduated from Colgate University
in 1942, after which he attended Yale Law School
for a graduate degree. During his time at Yale, he fought in the Army
abroad during World War II
, and he finished his degree upon his return.
Upon graduation from Yale, Cleveland began practicing law in New London, New Hampshire
. He served as a member of the New Hampshire Senate
from 1950 to 1962.
Cleveland married Hilary Paterson in 1950. They had five children. In 1951, he was called back to fight for the Army in the Korean War
.
In 1962, Cleveland ran for his first term in the United States House of Representatives. He won and held the seat continuously until his retirement in 1980. He stated that he only ran because none of the other candidates struck him as good choices for the position; he did not run out of any particular desire to be a member of congress. His actions while in Congress, however, won him the respect of the majority of his constituents in the Second Congressional District of New Hampshire
. He made it his duty to fairly and accurately represent his constituents even when it went against his own personal opinion of a given issue. He took many courageous stands in his campaigns, such as opposing unnecessary big dams and wasteful spending. His extreme consideration of those whom he represented was apparent in the efforts he made to understand his constituents; he sent out bi-annual questionnaires of a simple format that helped him and his staff understand which issues mattered most to the people of New Hampshire's Second District.
The appreciation of Cleveland's dedication to his work as a Representative was made formal and public on two different occasions. The first was the renaming of the United States Post Office and Court House building in New Hampshire's capital city, Concord
, to the James C. Cleveland Federal Building in 1980. The second occasion on which Cleveland's constituents expressed their appreciation was the construction of the James C. Cleveland Bridge in Berlin, New Hampshire
in 1982.
Cleveland died on December 3, 1995 in New London, New Hampshire.
The James C. Cleveland Papers are held by the Cleveland, Colby, Colgate Archives of Colby-Sawyer College
in New London.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
in the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
party. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from 1963 until 1981.
Cleveland was born in 1920 to Dr. Mather Cleveland and Susan Colgate Cleveland. He was the second of six children and the eldest son (brother to actress Patience Cleveland
Patience Cleveland
Patience Cleveland was an American film and television actress.-Personal life:Patience Cleveland was born, the youngest of six siblings, to an old established New Hampshire family, to Dr. Mather Cleveland, M.D. and Susan Colgate Cleveland. Her father authored New Hampshire and the Civil War and...
). He graduated from Colgate University
Colgate University
Colgate University is a private liberal arts college in Hamilton, New York, USA. The school was founded in 1819 as a Baptist seminary and later became non-denominational. It is named for the Colgate family who greatly contributed to the university's endowment in the 19th century.Colgate has 52...
in 1942, after which he attended Yale Law School
Yale Law School
Yale Law School, or YLS, is the law school of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Established in 1824, it offers the J.D., LL.M., J.S.D. and M.S.L. degrees in law. It also hosts visiting scholars, visiting researchers and a number of legal research centers...
for a graduate degree. During his time at Yale, he fought in the Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
abroad during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and he finished his degree upon his return.
Upon graduation from Yale, Cleveland began practicing law in New London, New Hampshire
New London, New Hampshire
New London is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 4,397 at the 2010 census.The town center, where 1,415 people resided at the 2010 census, is defined as the New London census-designated place , and is located on a hilltop along New Hampshire Route 114 north...
. He served as a member of the New Hampshire Senate
New Hampshire Senate
The New Hampshire Senate has been meeting since 1784. It is the upper house of the New Hampshire General Court. It consists of 24 members representing Senate districts based on population...
from 1950 to 1962.
Cleveland married Hilary Paterson in 1950. They had five children. In 1951, he was called back to fight for the Army in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
In 1962, Cleveland ran for his first term in the United States House of Representatives. He won and held the seat continuously until his retirement in 1980. He stated that he only ran because none of the other candidates struck him as good choices for the position; he did not run out of any particular desire to be a member of congress. His actions while in Congress, however, won him the respect of the majority of his constituents in the Second Congressional District of New Hampshire
New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district
New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district covers the western and northern parts of New Hampshire. It includes the state's second-largest city, Nashua, as well as the state capital, Concord...
. He made it his duty to fairly and accurately represent his constituents even when it went against his own personal opinion of a given issue. He took many courageous stands in his campaigns, such as opposing unnecessary big dams and wasteful spending. His extreme consideration of those whom he represented was apparent in the efforts he made to understand his constituents; he sent out bi-annual questionnaires of a simple format that helped him and his staff understand which issues mattered most to the people of New Hampshire's Second District.
The appreciation of Cleveland's dedication to his work as a Representative was made formal and public on two different occasions. The first was the renaming of the United States Post Office and Court House building in New Hampshire's capital city, Concord
Concord, New Hampshire
The city of Concord is the capital of the state of New Hampshire in the United States. It is also the county seat of Merrimack County. As of the 2010 census, its population was 42,695....
, to the James C. Cleveland Federal Building in 1980. The second occasion on which Cleveland's constituents expressed their appreciation was the construction of the James C. Cleveland Bridge in Berlin, New Hampshire
Berlin, New Hampshire
Berlin is a city along the Androscoggin River in Coos County in northern New Hampshire, United States. The population was 10,051 at the 2010 census. It includes the village of Cascade. Located on the edge of the White Mountains, the city's boundaries extend into the White Mountain National Forest...
in 1982.
Cleveland died on December 3, 1995 in New London, New Hampshire.
The James C. Cleveland Papers are held by the Cleveland, Colby, Colgate Archives of Colby-Sawyer College
Colby-Sawyer College
Colby–Sawyer College is a private, comprehensive baccalaureate college situated on a campus in New London, in the Lake Sunapee region of New Hampshire, founded as a coeducational academy in 1837.- New London Academy :...
in New London.