James H. Godman

James Harper Godman (October 19, 1808 – October 4, 1891) was a Republican politician in the U.S. State of Ohio who was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate, and was Ohio State Auditor for eight years, (1864–1872). He was also a Union Army soldier in the American Civil War.

James Harper Godman
11th Ohio State Auditor
In office January 11, 1864 – January 8, 1872
Governor	John Brough Charles Anderson Jacob Dolson Cox Rutherford B. Hayes
Preceded by	Oviatt Cole
Succeeded by	James Williams
Personal details
Born	October 19, 1808 Berkeley County, Virginia
Died	October 4, 1891 (aged 82) Marion, Ohio
Resting place	Marion Cemetery
Political party	Republican
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	Union Army
Years of service	April 25, 1861-July 28, 1863
Rank	Colonel Bvt. Brigadier General
Commands	4th Ohio Infantry
Battles/wars	American Civil War Battle of Fredericksburg

James H. Godman was born in Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia), and ultimately relocated to Marion, Ohio, where he was admitted to the bar in 1828.[1]

In 1835, Godman was elected to represent Marion and Crawford Counties in the Ohio House of Representatives for the 34th General Assembly,[2] and won again in 1839 for the 38th General Assembly.[3] In 1840 and 1841, he won election to the Ohio Senate for the 39th and 40th General Assemblies.[4]

Godman enlisted April 26, 1861 as a Major in the Union Army during the American Civil War in the 4th Ohio Infantry, promoted to lieutenant colonel January 9, 1862, and to colonel November 29, 1862. He was severely wounded at Fredericksburg and honorably discharged July 28, 1863. March 13, 1865 he received the rank brevet brigadier general.[5] He was elected as a Republican for State Auditor in 1863, and re-elected in 1867, serving eight years.[1]

While a resident of Marion, Godman help attract the first railroad through the town. His family legacy also lives on withnthe establishment of Columbus, Ohio's Godman Guild, a settlement house. The organization is today known as the Godman Guild Association.

Godman died October 4, 1891, and is buried at Marion Cemetery.[6]

Notes

1. Smith 1898 : 165
2. Ohio 1917 : 269
3. Ohio 1917 : 272
4. Ohio 1917 : 231
5. Reid 1895 : 967
6. James H. Godman at Find a Grave

References

• Smith, Joseph P, ed. (1898). History of the Republican Party in Ohio. I. Chicago: the Lewis Publishing Company.
• Ohio General Assembly (1917). Manual of legislative practice in the General Assembly. State of Ohio.
• Reid, Whitelaw (1895). "James H. Godman". Ohio in the War Her Statesmen Generals and Soldiers. 1. Cincinnati: The Robert Clarke Company. p. 967.