Peterson, James Hardin, 1894-1978

Lawyer and U.S. Representative from Florida (1933-1951).

Born in Batesburg, South Carolina. Moved to Lakeland, Florida, in 1903.

From the description of James Hardin Peterson Papers, 1929-1951. (University of Florida). WorldCat record id: 30602297

James Hardin Peterson was born in Batesburg, South Carolina in 1894. His family moved to Florida when he was six months old and moved again to Lakeland in 1903. He graduated from Lakeland High School with honors in 1911 and later that year enrolled at the University of Florida to study law. He completed his studies in three years and was quickly admitted to the Bar in 1914. He then established a very successful law practice in Lakeland. During the First World War he enlisted with the Navy and served as a yeoman first class and chief yeomen for ten months. After the war he returned to his law practice where he specialized in municipal law. He served as Lakeland's city attorney for sixteen years and additionally served as prosecutor and solicitor of the criminal court in Polk County for over ten years. In 1917 he married Christine Farrar of Jacksonville. The couple had two children, Anna and J. Hardin, Jr.

In 1932 he was elected to the 73rd Congress and served for nine terms in the U.S. House of Representatives until 1951. He served on various committees, including: Committee on Public Lands, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, House Un-American Activities Committee, Committee on World War Veteran's Legislation, Committee on Mines and Mining, and the Select Committee on Conservation of Wildlife Resources. He also served on numerous subcommittees for each of these committees. For example, while serving on the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries he served on several subcommittees including: Subcommittee for Ship construction and Operation, Subcommittee to Investigate Pacific Coast Fisheries, Subcommittee on Maritime Labor, Subcommittee on Merchant Marine in Overseas Aviation, Subcommittee on the Coast Guard, Coast and Geodetic Surveys, and Public Health Service.

Throughout his tenure in office Peterson had a reputation for hard work and dedication to constituent service. After retiring from Congress in 1951 Peterson returned to Lakeland and resumed his law practice with his son J. Hardin, Jr. He remained active in law and various community organizations until his death at the age of eighty-four in 1978.

From the guide to the James Hardin Peterson Papers, 1929-1951, (Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida)