James E. O'Hara facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James E. O'Hara
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 2nd district |
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| In office March 4, 1883 – March 3, 1887 |
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| Preceded by | Orlando Hubbs |
| Succeeded by | Furnifold M. Simmons |
| Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives | |
| In office 1868–1869 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | February 26, 1844 New York City |
| Died | September 15, 1905 (aged 61) New Bern, North Carolina |
| Political party | Republican |
| Profession | Lawyer |
James Edward O'Hara (born February 26, 1844 – died September 15, 1905) was an American politician and lawyer. In 1882, after the Reconstruction period, he became the second African American to be elected to Congress from North Carolina.
James O'Hara was born in New York City. His parents were of mixed West Indian and Irish backgrounds. He grew up in the West Indies. After the American Civil War, he moved to the southern United States. He joined religious missionaries from the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. They helped freed people start new lives and churches. O'Hara became active in politics. He was elected to local and state offices as a Republican.
O'Hara became a lawyer in North Carolina in 1873. He started his own law practice. In 1878, he ran for Congress and won. However, his white opponent was declared the winner by unfair officials. In 1882, O'Hara was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He represented North Carolina's 2nd congressional district, which had many black voters. He served two terms. After losing the 1886 election, he returned to his law practice.
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Early Life and Education
James O'Hara was born in New York City on February 26, 1844. His mother was from the West Indian islands. His father was an Irish American merchant. Soon after James was born, his family moved to the West Indies. They lived there until the 1850s before returning to New York.
Starting a Career in North Carolina
After the American Civil War, O'Hara moved to North Carolina. He came with missionaries from the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. This was a black church started in New York City. They wanted to help freed people and create new churches in the South.
In his early years in North Carolina, O'Hara studied law. He learned by working with a lawyer. In 1873, he became a lawyer in North Carolina. He was the third black lawyer in the state. He went back to Enfield, North Carolina to start his law practice. He also began to get involved in politics.
James O'Hara's Political Journey
O'Hara was a Republican. He helped write a new state constitution in 1868. He served in the North Carolina House of Representatives from 1868 to 1869. In 1873, he became chairman of the Halifax County board of commissioners. He held this job for four years. Halifax and nearby counties had many black residents. They were part of North Carolina's 2nd congressional district. By 1877, New Bern was a city with a black majority. Many black people moved from farms to cities after the war. They wanted to build their own communities. O'Hara also helped write the state constitution in 1875.
O'Hara tried many times to win the congressional seat for the 2nd District. In 1878, he ran for Congress. He faced accusations about his personal life. He denied these claims. The Republican Party leaders were worried. They decided not to support him for the race. Then, some people said he was not a United States citizen. O'Hara explained he was born in New York City. Even though the Republicans chose another candidate, O'Hara stayed in the race. He won the election. However, many of his votes were unfairly removed. This allowed his opponent, "Buck" Kitchin, to win instead. The New York Times newspaper called it "pure Democratic villainy." O'Hara tried to challenge the results in court. But important evidence was lost when his house burned down. His legal challenges failed. O'Hara ran for Congress again in 1880 but did not win.
In 1882, O'Hara was elected to Congress. He served in the Forty-eighth and Forty-ninth Congresses. His terms were from March 4, 1883, to March 3, 1887. He was the second African American from North Carolina to serve in Congress. He was the first to be elected after the Reconstruction era ended. In Congress, O'Hara worked on committees like Mines and Mining. He was known for his short speeches. He fought for the rights of African Americans. He suggested a change to the Constitution. It would require equal treatment for African Americans on public transportation. He also proposed a law to bring back the 1875 Civil Rights Bill.
O'Hara helped shape the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. He argued that Congress could control passenger trains, not just freight. But he could not get a rule passed that would make train seating equal for all races. Congress allowed separate seating. This meant black and white passengers were still separated. That same year, O'Hara helped change a spending bill for Washington D.C. He made sure that male and female teachers with the same qualifications were paid equally. Teachers of all races were paid the same during that time. He also tried to get money back for freed people. They had lost their savings when the Freedmen's Savings and Trust Company failed. But he was not successful.
O'Hara was the only Republican in the House of Representatives to vote against the Edmunds–Tucker Act of 1887.
In 1886, there was a disagreement among Republicans in O'Hara's district. This split the vote between O'Hara and another candidate. The Democrat Furnifold M. Simmons won the election. In 1900, the state legislature passed a new law. This law made it very hard for black people to vote. This unfair situation lasted for many black people in North Carolina. It only changed after civil rights laws were passed in the mid-1960s.
After his defeat in 1886, O'Hara ran for Congress again in 1888 but lost. He then went back to being a lawyer in New Bern. His son Raphael joined him in his law practice.
Family Life
James O'Hara married Ann Maria Harris in New Bern in 1864. Later, he married Elizabeth Eleanor Harris in 1869. Elizabeth was from a well-known family in Ohio. She had moved South after the Civil War to teach freed people.
James and Elizabeth had a son named Raphael. Raphael became a lawyer in 1895. He joined his father's law practice in New Bern, North Carolina. Raphael was the first black lawyer in North Carolina whose father was also a lawyer. He practiced law for almost 50 years.
O'Hara was a Roman Catholic. He passed away in New Bern on September 15, 1905, at age 61. His wife, Elizabeth O'Hara, died in 1930 at age 80. Their son, Raphael O'Hara, died in 1952, also at age 80.
Images for kids
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The O'Hara family: Elizabeth Eleanor, James E., and Raphael, around 1883.
See also
