| James M. Ogden | |
|---|---|
| 26th Indiana Attorney General | |
| In office January 1, 1929 – January 1, 1933 | |
| Governor | Edward L. Jackson, Harry G. Leslie |
| Preceded by | Arthur L. Gilliom |
| Succeeded by | Philip Lutz Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James Matlock Ogden (1870-04-05)April 5, 1870 Danville, Indiana |
| Died | November 11, 1956(1956-11-11) (aged 86) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Alice Bell Dean |
| Children | Mary Ann Parrish |
| Alma mater | DePauw University Harvard Law School |
James Matlock Ogden (April 5, 1870 - November 11, 1956) was an American lawyer and Republican politician who served as the twenty-sixth Indiana Attorney General from January 1, 1929 to January 1, 1933.
Early life and education
Ogden was born in Danville, Indiana.
Ogden attended DePauw University in Greencastle, graduating in 1894 with a PhB. He then attended Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, graduating in 1899 with a LL.B.
Career
After his graduation from Harvard, Ogden moved to Kendallville, where he became a teacher and eventually a principal at Kendallville High School from 1894 to 1896. In 1899, he moved to Indianapolis and began to practice law.
Starting in 1900, Ogden taught at the Indiana Law School in Indianapolis. He wrote the book, Ogden's Negotiable Instruments. Ogden was a member of the Indiana State Bar Association and the Indianapolis Bar Association. He served as vice president of the American Bar Association, and state president of the Epworth League in 1903.
Political career
Ogden, a Republican, served as city attorney of Indianapolis. From 1924 to 1926, he served as counsel to the city corporation.
Ogden was elected Indiana Attorney General in 1928, succeeding Arthur L. Gilliom. Ogden served his term in the administration of Republican Governor Harry G. Leslie. As Attorney General, Ogden oversaw changes in Indiana banking laws. Ogden also oversaw an investigation into an infamous lynching of two African American teenagers in Marion in 1930 (see Lynching of Thomas Shipp and Abram Smith). Twelve white men were put on trial for the crime, but they were all quickly found innocent. Ogden appointed his old friend from law school, Robert L. Bailey, to the office of Assistant Attorney General. This appointment was notable because Bailey was a Black man from Alabama. In 1933, Ogden served as president of the National Association of Attorneys General. Ogden was succeeded by Philip Lutz Jr.
Later life
Ogden was a member of DePauw University's Board of Trustees and the university's alumni association. DePauw bestowed an honorary LL.D. degree on Ogden in 1952.
Personal life
Ogden married Alice Bell Dean of Danville. They had a daughter, Mary Ann Parrish.
Ogden, a Presbyterian, died on November 11, 1956.
References
- "Attorneys General of Indiana". Indiana State Library.
- Alumnal register of officers, faculties and graduates, 1837-1900. Greencastle: DePauw University. 1901.
- ^ "James Ogden Rites Held". Hammond Times. 13 Nov 1956.
- ^ Cottman, George S. "Centennial history and handbook of Indiana". Indiana University.
- ^ "James M. Ogden Taken By Death". Terre Haute Tribune. 12 Nov 1956.
- Madison, James H. "A Lynching in the Heartland: Marion, Indiana, August 7, 1930". Organization of American Historians.
- "IU McKinney Alumnus Robert L. Bailey Served as First African-American Assistant Attorney General". Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.
- "States Claims Ruled Prior in Bank Closings". Indianapolis News. 15 May 1930.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byArthur L. Gilliom | Indiana Attorney General 1929-1933 |
Succeeded byPhilip Lutz Jr. |
