Noted farmer and statesman, Wadsworth was a US Senator and member of the House of Representatives.
1877-1952 | Artist: Othmar J. Hoffler (1893-1954)
Impact & Accomplishments
The son of a New York State Comptroller and chair of the U. S. House of Representatives Agriculture Committee, James Wadsworth, Jr., followed his father into both livestock production and politics.
Born in Genesco, New York, Wadsworth graduated from Yale University in 1898 and joined the family farming enterprises.
From 1905 to 1910, he was a member of the New York State Assembly. In 1911, he met his aunt, the widow of Irish businessman John Adair, who had partnered with Charles Goodnight to establish the JA Ranch in the Texas Panhandle. Cornelia Adair asked her nephew to serve as general manager of the giant Texas cattle operation. Wadsworth ran the legendary ranch until 1915, when he was elected to the U. S. Senate, representing New York. He served until 1927.
Senator Wadsworth was one of the few congressmen to oppose Prohibition; he also opposed women’s suffrage. From 1933 to 1951, James Wadsworth served in the U. S. House of Representatives, where he argued for states’ and individual rights. President Truman appointed him chairman of the National Security Training Commission in 1951.
Did You Know?
James, Jr. was the grandson of Union General James S. Wadsworth.
Time, December 28, 1925