James Gunn (congressman)

James Gunn
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Idaho's At-Large district
In office March 4, 1897 – March 3, 1899
Preceded by	Edgar Wilson
Succeeded by	Edgar Wilson
Personal details
Born	March 6, 1843(1843-03-06) County Fermanagh, Ireland
Died	November 5, 1911(1911-11-05) (aged 68) Boise, Idaho
Political party	Populist
Residence	Hailey

James Gunn (March 6, 1843 – November 5, 1911) was a U. S. Congressman from the state of Idaho.

Biography

Gunn was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, and emigrated to America with his parents. The family settled in Wisconsin where he attended the common schools. James later attended the Notre Dame Academy in Indiana and taught school briefly before the Civil War.

In 1862, Gunn enlisted in the 27th Wisconsin Infantry, and served with them for the remainder of the war. By the time he was discharged in October 1865, he was a Captain. He briefly studied law, but never practiced, and, in 1866, he headed west.

In the West, he followed opportunity and lived for a while in Gilpin County and Georgetown, Colorado. He also worked in Virginia City, Nevada, and in California before settling in Hailey, Idaho, in 1881. At Hailey, he went into the newspaper business, publishing the Wood River Valley Sentinel.

Gunn became a member of the Populist Party, and stood for office several times. When Idaho became a state in 1890, Gunn was elected to the state Senate. He also served as editor of the Boise Sentinel until elected to Congress. He ran for Congress four times; in 1892, 1894, 1896, and 1898, but only his 1896 race was successful.

He was elected to the U. S. House of Representatives in 1896 representing the entire state. He served only one term, from March 1897 to March 1899.

Gunn later was the commandant of the Idaho Soldiers’ Home in 1901–03.

He is buried in Boise, Idaho.

References

• James Gunn (congressman) at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress Retrieved on 2008-11-05

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by Edgar Wilson	United States House of Representatives, Idaho At-Large 1897–1899	Succeeded by Edgar Wilson