James Overton Broadhead

Democrat Representative of Missouri's 9th district

Congresses Served

House Terms

January 1, 1819 (79 years old)

Birthday

January 1, 1898

Death

Was a lawyer and politician, serving in both the Missouri House of Representatives and the Missouri Senate.
Became the first president of the American Bar Association.
Studied law at the University of Virginia before starting his private practice in Missouri.
Played a significant role in Missouri’s politics and law, including participating in the Missouri Constitutional Convention and forming the Committee of Safety before the Civil War.
Served as a lieutenant-colonel in the 3rd Missouri cavalry during the Civil War and was involved in advising on Missouri’s preliminary constitution during this period.
Worked on the Whisky Ring bribery cases in 1876 and was a key figure in the Missouri State Constitutional Convention of 1875.
Represented Missouri in the U.S. House of Representatives and served on the Judiciary Committee.
Held diplomatic positions as a special commissioner to France and later as the United States Ambassador to Switzerland.
Returned to private law practice in St. Louis after his diplomatic service, where he lived until his death.
Was involved in a notable incident where his law partner was killed by a newspaper editor, leading to a grand jury refusal to indict the editor.