James W. Husted (Representative)


James William Husted was a politician elected to four succeeding terms as a U.S. Representative from New York. He was an attorney who served in local offices, as well as president of the Peekskill Bank.

Early life and education

Husted was born into a political family in Peekskill, New York, the son of James W. Husted and his wife. His father was then a member of the New York State Assembly, and several times in later years was elected Speaker of the Assembly. The junior Husted attended private schools, the Peekskill Military Academy, and Cutler's School, New York City. He graduated from Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts. He graduated in 1888 from Yale University in 1892, where he was a member of Skull and Bones, and in 1894 from the New York Law School.

Marriage and family

Husted first married Louise Wetmore Spaulding. They had six children: James William, Jr., John G.W., Pricilla, David, Ellery, and Robert. After Louise's death, he married Bertha Frances Harricks.

Career

Husted was admitted to the bar in 1894, and commenced practice in Peekskill. He soon entered politics, and was a member of the New York State Assembly in 1895, 1896 and 1897. In 1897, he moved to the growing city of White Plains and continued the practice of law.
In 1902, Husted returned to Peekskill and practiced law. He was elected president of the village of Peekskill in 1903 and 1904. He served as member and treasurer of the board of park commissioners from 1909 to 1920.
In 1912, he was an unsuccessful candidate for election to the Sixty-third Congress. Husted was elected as a Republican to the Sixty-fourth and to the three succeeding Congresses.
Declining to run for office in 1922, Husted returned to the practice of law in Peekskill. He also engaged in banking and served as president of the Peekskill Bank.
He died of heart disease in New York City on January 2, 1925. His remains were cremated and his ashes were interred in Hillside Cemetery, Peekskill, New York, where his father was buried.