Daniel Needham Jr.

Daniel Needham Jr. (1922–1992) was an American attorney and political figure who was a partner of Sherburne, Powers & Needham and the Republican National Committeeman from Massachusetts.

Early life

Needham was born in Newton, Massachusetts, in March 1922.[1][2] He graduated from Newton High School in 1939 and Harvard College in 1943.[1] On November 27, 1943 he married Harriet Gray Leatherbee.[3] During World War II, Needham was a United States Army artillery officer in the Pacific theater and was awarded the Bronze Star. He resumed his studies after the War and graduated from Harvard Law School in 1949.[1]

Needham was a partner of Sherburne, Powers & Needham, a law firm founded by his father, Daniel Needham.[1][2] During the 1950s, he left the firm to serve as an assistant United States Attorney. He was responsible for prosecuting tax evasion, fraud, and bank robbery cases. He resigned in September 1957 and returned to Sherburne, Powers & Needham.[4]

Needham also served as chairman of the Harbor National Bank and its successor, Patriot Bank.[1]

Political career

In 1969, Needham was elected to the Belmont, Massachusetts Board of Selectmen. He won with 58% of the vote to nearest opponent's 37%.[5] He remained on the board until 1978, when he was elected town moderator of Belmont.[1] He retired from this position in 1990.[6]

From 1984 to 1992, Needham represented the Middlesex and Suffolk district on the state Republican committee.[7][8]

In 1984, Needham ran for Republican National Committeeman. He faced incumbent Gordon M. Nelson, who had upset many in the party by challenging sitting state party chairman Andrew Natsios. Needham defeated Nelson by one vote, 37 to 36.[9] Needham was defeated for reelection by Ronald Kaufman.[10]

Death

Needham died on February 7, 1992 at the age of 69.[1]

References
  1. "Daniel Needham, 69 Partner in Boston law firm". The Boston Globe. February 11, 1992.
  2. Sibley, Frank P. (March 19, 1933). "Needham Could Get Wire When There Wasn't Any". The Boston Daily Globe.
  3. "Miss Harriet Gray Leatherbee of Newton Becomes Bride of Lieut. Daniel Needham Jr". The Boston Daily Globe. November 28, 1943.
  4. "Needham, Mahony Resign as Assistants To U.S. Atty. Here". The Boston Daily Globe. September 10, 1957.
  5. "Belmont Chairman Defeated". The Boston Globe. March 5, 1969.
  6. Zinter, Aaron (March 31, 1991). "Here's to the victorious ones". The Boston Globe.
  7. "Danuel Needham, Jr. (R)". PD43+. Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved May 27, 2017.
  8. "Daniel Needham, Jr. (R)". PD43+. Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved May 27, 2017.
  9. "Short Circuits". The Boston Globe. April 29, 1984.
  10. "Mass. Delegates See New Hope for Party in Bush Candidacy". The Boston Globe. August 18, 1988.
Party political offices
Preceded by
Gordon M. Nelson		 Republican National Committeeman from Massachusetts
1980-1984		 Succeeded by
Ronald Kaufman
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