James P. Aylward
Encyclopedia
James P. Aylward was a Missouri attorney and Democratic party leader, strongly influencing democratic politics in Missouri for much of the first half of the century.
on September 10, 1885 to Irish immigrants. When he was about six months old, his family relocated to Kansas City, Missouri
where his 12 brothers and sisters were born. His left school after fifth grade and began to take on a variety of jobs: newspaper carrier, Western Union
delivery boy, office boy. In 1899, he came to work for a prominent Kansas City Attorney, Frank P. Walsh. Walsh inspired Brother Aylward’s interest in both the law and in Democratic Missouri politics.
He began the study of law in that law office, and eventually went to night school at the Kansas City School of Law which is now the University of Missouri at Kansas City where he was initiated into the Benton Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. He was admitted to the Missouri Bar in 1908, and became partners with long time mentor Frank Walsh. He continued his involvement in Missouri politics as well as on the Phi Alpha Delta National Scene, and added “Adjunct Professor” to his resume, lecturing on insurance law at the Kansas City School of Law.
By this time, Brother Aylward’s political involvement in Missouri had begun to consume his time. From 1918 to 1936, he served as Jackson County Democratic Committee Chairman. In 1934, he persuaded Harry S. Truman to run for the United States Senate and served as his Campaign Manager. Success on the Truman campaign, helped Brother Aylward take over as State Chair of the Missouri Democratic Party from 1934 to 1938 and serve as a member of Democratic National Committee for Missouri from 1934-1942. In 1936, he had the honor of seconding the nomination for Franklin D. Roosevelt as Democratic Candidate for the Presidency of the United States.
Democratic Party (United States)
Phi Alpha Delta
Law Fraternity
Brief Biography
James P. Aylward was born in Peoria, IllinoisPeoria, Illinois
Peoria is the largest city on the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria County, Illinois, in the United States. It is named after the Peoria tribe. As of the 2010 census, the city was the seventh-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 115,007, and is the third-most populated...
on September 10, 1885 to Irish immigrants. When he was about six months old, his family relocated to Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
where his 12 brothers and sisters were born. His left school after fifth grade and began to take on a variety of jobs: newspaper carrier, Western Union
Western Union
The Western Union Company is a financial services and communications company based in the United States. Its North American headquarters is in Englewood, Colorado. Up until 2006, Western Union was the best-known U.S...
delivery boy, office boy. In 1899, he came to work for a prominent Kansas City Attorney, Frank P. Walsh. Walsh inspired Brother Aylward’s interest in both the law and in Democratic Missouri politics.
He began the study of law in that law office, and eventually went to night school at the Kansas City School of Law which is now the University of Missouri at Kansas City where he was initiated into the Benton Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. He was admitted to the Missouri Bar in 1908, and became partners with long time mentor Frank Walsh. He continued his involvement in Missouri politics as well as on the Phi Alpha Delta National Scene, and added “Adjunct Professor” to his resume, lecturing on insurance law at the Kansas City School of Law.
By this time, Brother Aylward’s political involvement in Missouri had begun to consume his time. From 1918 to 1936, he served as Jackson County Democratic Committee Chairman. In 1934, he persuaded Harry S. Truman to run for the United States Senate and served as his Campaign Manager. Success on the Truman campaign, helped Brother Aylward take over as State Chair of the Missouri Democratic Party from 1934 to 1938 and serve as a member of Democratic National Committee for Missouri from 1934-1942. In 1936, he had the honor of seconding the nomination for Franklin D. Roosevelt as Democratic Candidate for the Presidency of the United States.
Organizations/Affiliations
Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
Democratic Party (United States)
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
- Jackson County, MO Democratic Committee Chairman 1918-1936
- Missouri Democratic State Chair 1934-1938
- Democratic National Committee for Missouri 1934-1942
Phi Alpha Delta
Phi Alpha Delta
ΦAΔ , or P.A.D., is the largest co-ed professional law fraternity in the United States of America. Phi Alpha Delta has members who are university students, law school students, lawyers, judges, senators, and even presidents. It was founded in 1902 and today has over 300,000 initiated members...
Law Fraternity
- Member, Benton Chapter
- Supreme Treasurer, 1910-1912
- Supreme First Vice Justice, 1912-1913
- Supreme Justice, 1913-1914
- Tribune, 1914-1919