James F. McCool | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Speaker of theMississippi House of Representatives | |
| In office January 1896 – January 1900 | |
| Preceded by | James K. Vardaman |
| Succeeded by | A. J. Russell |
| Member of theMississippi House of Representatives from theAttala County district | |
| In office January 1896 – January 1900 | |
| In office January 1882 – January 1886 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1853-02-24)February 24, 1853 Fayette County, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | March 2, 1919(1919-03-02) (aged 66) Kosciusko, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
James Franklin McCool (February 24, 1853 - March 2, 1919) was an AmericanDemocratic politician and jurist. He was a member of theMississippi House of Representatives from 1882 to 1886 and from 1896 to 1900, and was its Speaker during the latter term.
James Franklin McCool was born inFayette County, Alabama, on February 24, 1853.[1] His mother, Elender Gray McCool, died when James was young, and James's father, Lafayette McCool, died in the Confederate Army in the Civil War.[1][2][3] McCool then traveled toMississippi on foot, and made money to get an education.[2] He received his education at Slate Springs College inCalhoun County, Mississippi.[1] He graduated from theUniversity of Mississippi with aBachelor of Laws in 1879.[1][4][3] For five years, he was a teacher in schools inCalhoun andAttala counties.[1][2] He then practiced law inKosciusko, Attala County, Mississippi.[1][4][5]
McCool was elected to representAttala County as aDemocrat in theMississippi House of Representatives for the 1882 session.[6][7] He was re-elected for the 1884 session.[5][7] In 1883, the town ofMcCool, Mississippi, was named after him.[3] McCool was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention of 1888.[2] McCool was re-elected again to theMississippi House of Representatives in 1895 for the 1896–1900 term.[7] He served as the Speaker for this term.[2][7][3] McCool then decided to run for the office ofGovernor of Mississippi, but withdrew in 1899 before the convention inJackson.[2] He then was apresidential elector in the1900 election.[2][3] In January 1903, McCool was appointed Chancellor of Mississippi's 6th Chancery Court district.[1][2][3]
McCool died on March 2, 1919, inKosciusko, Mississippi.[1]
McCool married Mary Niles, the daughter ofJason Niles, in 1881.[1][3] They had one son, named Jason Niles McCool.[1][3]
