James Harper Godman (October 19, 1808 – October 4, 1891) was a

Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

politician in the U.S. State of

Ohio Ohio () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. Of the fifty U.S. states, it is the 34th-largest by area, and with a population of nearly 11.8 million, is the seventh-most populous and tenth-most densely populated. The sta ...

who was a member of the

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and

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, and was

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for eight years, (1864–1872). He was also a

Union Army During the American Civil War, the Union Army, also known as the Federal Army and the Northern Army, referring to the United States Army, was the land force that fought to preserve the Union (American Civil War), Union of the collective U.S. st ...

soldier in the

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Biography

James H. Godman was born in Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia), and ultimately relocated to

Marion, Ohio Marion is a city in and the county seat of Marion County, Ohio, Marion County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in north-central Ohio, approximately north of Columbus, Ohio, Columbus. The population was 35,999 at the 2020 United S ...

, where he was admitted to the bar in 1828. Smith 1898 : 165 In 1835, Godman was elected to represent

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and

Crawford Crawford may refer to: Places Canada * Crawford Bay Airport, British Columbia * Crawford Lake Conservation Area, Ontario United Kingdom * Crawford, Lancashire, a small village near Rainford, Merseyside, England * Crawford, South Lanarkshire, a ...

Counties in the Ohio House of Representatives for the 34th General Assembly, and won again in 1839 for the 38th General Assembly. In 1840 and 1841, he won election to the Ohio Senate for the 39th and 40th General Assemblies. Godman enlisted April 26, 1861 as a Major in the

during the

in the

4th Ohio Infantry The 4th Ohio Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It served in the Eastern Theater in a number of campaigns and battles, but perhaps is most noted for its actions in helping secure Cemetery H ...

, promoted to lieutenant colonel January 9, 1862, and to colonel November 29, 1862. He was severely wounded at Fredericksburg and honorably discharged July 28, 1863. March 13, 1865 he received the rank

brevet Brevet may refer to: Military * Brevet (military), higher rank that rewards merit or gallantry, but without higher pay * Brevet d'état-major, a military distinction in France and Belgium awarded to officers passing military staff college * Aircre ...

brigadier general Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...

. Reid 1895 : 967 He was elected as a Republican for State Auditor in 1863, and re-elected in 1867, serving eight years. While a resident of Marion, Godman help attract the first railroad through the town. His family legacy also lives on withnthe establishment of Columbus, Ohio's Godman Guild, a settlement house. The organization is today known as the Godman Guild Association. Godman died October 4, 1891.

Notes

References

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Godman, James H. Ohio lawyers People from Marion, Ohio 1808 births 1891 deaths People of Ohio in the American Civil War State Auditors of Ohio Union Army colonels Republican Party Ohio state senators Republican Party members of the Ohio House of Representatives 19th-century American legislators 19th-century American lawyers