James Owen Law (March 14, 1809 – June 6, 1847) was an American politician and merchant. He served as

Mayor of Baltimore The mayor of Baltimore is the head of the executive branch of the government of the City of Baltimore, Maryland. The Mayor has the duty to enforce city laws, and the power to either approve or veto bills, ordinances, or resolutions passed by the ...

from 1843 to 1844.

Early life

James Owen Law was born on March 14, 1809, in

Baltimore, Maryland Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the List of municipalities in Maryland, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, and List of United States cities by popula ...

to Elizabeth (née Davies) (1774–1838) and James Law (1768–1830). His parents were

Presbyterian Presbyterianism is a part of the Reformed tradition within Protestantism that broke from the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland by John Knox, who was a priest at St. Giles Cathedral (Church of Scotland). Presbyterian churches derive their nam ...

Irish immigrants. His father was from Bally Shannon in

County Donegal County Donegal ( ; ga, Contae Dhún na nGall) is a county of Ireland in the province of Ulster and in the Northern and Western Region. It is named after the town of Donegal in the south of the county. It has also been known as County Tyrconne ...

. He received a classical education and worked at a counting house owned by his cousin

Jacob G. Davies Jacob G. Davies (May 29, 1796 – December 7, 1857) was an American politician. He served as Mayor of Baltimore for two terms, from 1844 to 1848. Early life Jacob G. Davies was born on May 29, 1796, in Baltimore, Maryland. Career Davies volunt ...

Career

Law entered business on his own and became a Baltimore merchant. He was a member of the Independent Greys. In 1837, he was elected captain of the company. In 1842, Law was elected a major in the Fifty-third Regiment of the Maryland Volunteers Infantry. He held this role until his death. Law became president of the Independent Fire Company in 1845. After Solomon Hillen resigned as

in fall of 1843, Law, the Whig candidate, was elected in a special election to replace him. He defeated Democratic candidate William H. Marriott by 332 votes. His term was short-lived, as he was defeated in the following election in October 1844, by his cousin, Jacob G. Davies, a Democrat, by a margin of 498 votes. His last day in office was November 4, 1844. After being mayor, Law was appointed the state flour inspector. He held this role until his death.

Personal life

Law married Louisa Douglass of

Alexandria, Virginia Alexandria is an independent city (United States), independent city in the northern region of the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Virginia, United States. It lies on the western bank of the Potomac River approximately south of Downto ...

on January 21, 1836. They had four children. Law died of

typhus Typhus, also known as typhus fever, is a group of infectious diseases that include epidemic typhus, scrub typhus, and murine typhus. Common symptoms include fever, headache, and a rash. Typically these begin one to two weeks after exposure. ...

(or ship fever) on June 6, 1847, after ministering to sick Irish children in

Canton, Maryland Canton is a historic waterfront neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. The neighborhood is along Baltimore's outer harbor in the southeastern section of the city, roughly two miles east of Baltimore's downtown district and next to or ...

. He died at his home on West Lombard Street in Baltimore. Law was buried at

Green Mount Cemetery Green Mount Cemetery is a historic rural cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Established on March 15, 1838, and dedicated on July 13, 1839, it is noted for the large number of historical figures interred in its grounds as well as many ...

in Baltimore.

Legacy

George Washington Musgrave, a Presbyterian clergyman of Baltimore and Philadelphia, published the sermon used at Law's funeral. The sermon entitled ''Sermon on the death of Maj. James Owen Law'' was published in 1847.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Law, James O. 1809 births 1847 deaths Businesspeople from Baltimore Mayors of Baltimore