James Patrick Aylward (September 10, 1885 – July 22, 1982) was a Missouri attorney, Democratic party leader, and a political associate of President
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman (May 8, 1884December 26, 1972) was the 33rd president of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953. A leader of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the 34th vice president from January to April 1945 under Franklin ...
.
Early life
James Patrick Aylward was born in
Peoria, Illinois
Peoria ( ) is the county seat of Peoria County, Illinois, United States, and the largest city on the Illinois River. As of the United States Census, 2020, 2020 census, the city had a population of 113,150. It is the principal city of the Peoria ...
on September 10, 1885 to Irish Catholic immigrants. When he was about six months old, his family relocated to
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City (abbreviated KC or KCMO) is the largest city in Missouri by population and area. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 508,090 in 2020, making it the 36th most-populous city in the United States. It is the central ...
, where his twelve brothers and sisters were born. He left school after fifth grade and began to take on a variety of jobs: newspaper carrier,
Western Union delivery boy, office boy.
Legal career
In 1899, he came to work for a prominent Kansas City attorney, Frank P. Walsh. Walsh inspired Aylward's interest in both the law and in Democratic politics.
[See, James R. Fuchs, "Oral History Interview with James P. Aylward" June 12, 1968]
Oral History of Aylward Available Online at Truman Presidential Library
/ref>
He began the study of law in that law office, and eventually went to night school at the Kansas City School of Law (now the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law
The University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law is a public law school located on the main campus of the University of Missouri-Kansas City in Kansas City, Missouri, near the Country Club Plaza.
It was founded in 1895 as the Kansas City S ...
), where he joined the Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity. He was admitted to the bar in 1908, and became partners with longtime mentor Frank Walsh. He continued his involvement in Missouri politics as well as in the Phi Alpha Delta national organization, and lectured on insurance law at the Kansas City School of Law.
Democratic politics
From 1918 to 1936, he served as chair of the Jackson County Democratic committee. In 1934, Democratic boss Tom Pendergast asked him to run for U.S. Senator; he declined, and recommended county judge Harry S. Truman instead. When Truman became a candidate, Aylward served as his campaign manager, helping him win the Democratic primary and the general election.
Success on the Truman campaign helped Aylward take over as state chair of the Missouri Democratic Party from 1934 to 1940 and serve as a member of Democratic National Committee for Missouri from 1934-1944. In 1936, he had the honor of seconding the nomination for Franklin D. Roosevelt at the 1936 Democratic National Convention
The 1936 Democratic National Convention was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from June 23 to 27, 1936. The convention resulted in the nomination of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Vice President John N. Garner for reelection.
Changes to ru ...
.
Death and legacy
Aylward died in Kansas City, and is buried in Calvary Cemetery there.
His son, James P. Aylward Jr. (1918-2011) was also prominent in Missouri Democratic politics, serving as Jackson County Tax Collector and as Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 1972.
References
External links
Oral History of Aylward Available Online at Truman Presidential Library
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aylward, James P.
1885 births
1982 deaths
Missouri Democrats
Pendergast era
Politicians from Peoria, Illinois
Politicians from Kansas City, Missouri
University of Missouri–Kansas City alumni
Lawyers from Kansas City, Missouri