Senator James Michael Mead - Contact Information

James Michael Mead served as a Senator from New York in the United States Congress from 1919 to 1947. A member of the Democratic Party, James Michael Mead contributed to the legislative process during 11 terms in office.

James Michael Mead’s service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history. As a member of the Senate, James Michael Mead participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of constituents.

James Michael Mead (December 27, 1885 – March 15, 1964) was an American politician from New York. A Democrat, among the offices in which he served was member of the Erie County Board of Supervisors from 1914 to 1915, New York State Assembly from 1915 to 1918, United States House of Representatives from 1919 to 1938, and the United States Senate from 1938 to 1947. A native of Mount Morris, New York, Mead was raised in Buffalo. He attended the public schools of Buffalo and began working for railroads at age 12. He rose through the Switchmen’s Union’s ranks to become president of the Buffalo local. From 1911 to 1914 he was employed as an officer with the United States Capitol Police. While working in Washington, Mead attended courses at the Georgetown University Law Center. Mead began a political career in 1914 with election to Erie County’s Board of Supervisors. He subsequently served in the state Assembly from 1915 to 1918. In 1918 he won election to the U.S. House, where he served from 1919 to 1938. In 1938 he was elected to the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the death of Royal S. Copeland. He served in the Senate until 1947. In 1946, he was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for governor of New York. He was then appointed to the Federal Trade Commission, on which he served from 1949 to 1955. In retirement, Mead was a resident of Florida. He died in Lakeland on March 15, 1964. Mead was buried at Oakhill Cemetery in Clermont, Florida.