James H. McGee

James Howell "Jim" McGee (November 8, 1918 – March 4, 2006) was an American politician of the Ohio Democratic party. He served as the first black mayor of Dayton, Ohio. He was also the city’s longest-tenured mayor to date.[1] [2]

For other people named James McGee, see James McGee (disambiguation).
James Howell McGee
Mayor of Dayton, Ohio
In office
July 15, 1970 – January 2, 1982
Preceded byDave Hall
Succeeded byPaul Leonard
Personal details
Born(1918-11-08)November 8, 1918
Berryburg, West Virginia
DiedMarch 6, 2006(2006-03-06) (aged 87)
Trotwood, Ohio

McGee was born in Berryberg, West Virginia and was raised in Steubenville, Ohio. He graduated from Wilberforce University in 1937. After serving in the United States Army, he received a law degree from Ohio State University in 1948.[3]

He moved to Dayton to practice law and worked with the NAACP in civil rights cases. He filed one of the first segregation cases after the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision.[4] In 1959, he became the 23rd president of the Dayton Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People NAACP.[5]

McGee entered politics as an assistant to Rep. Rodney M. Love of Ohio working on the War on Poverty.[3] in 1967, Dayton City Commissioner Don Crawford resigned to become the Dayton City Clerk and McGee was selected to fill his term.[3] McGee won re-election to the seat in 1969.[4]

In May 1970, Mayor Dave Hall resigned for health reasons. The City Commission deadlocked for two months with tie votes of 2-2 with McGee and Michael Liskany each receiving the vote of another commissioner. Liskany ultimately announced that he would drop out, allowing McGee to become mayor.[6]

McGee was re-elected in 1973 and 1977 before stepping down. After leaving politics, he continued with his legal practice.

Personal life

He met his wife, Elizabeth while he was in law school. They had two daughters, Annette and Frances.

He was a Prince Hall Freemason, holding membership in Ancient Square Lodge No. 40 of Dayton, Ohio,[7] and was also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

James McGee died on March 4, 2006 in Trotwood, Ohio.[3]

Legacy

In 1988, a major boulevard in Dayton was named for McGee. Formerly known as Western Avenue, in West Dayton, the road is now known as James H. McGee Boulevard from Germantown Street to Little Richmond Road.[8]

References
  1. "MS-322 James H. McGee Papers" (Web). Special Collections & Archives. Wright State University. 20 October 2005.
  2. Cummings, James (March 5, 2006). "Former mayor McGee dies; First black to hold post was Dayton's longest-serving mayor" (Web). News Article. Dayton Daily News.
  3. "James H. McGee, Dayton's First African-American Mayor". Wright State University. 2015-02-19.
  4. "First Black Mayor of Dayton, Ohio". New York Times. 1970-07-16.
  5. "Dayton NAACP celebrates 100 years". Dayton Daily News. 2019-05-09.
  6. "Dayton, Ohio, to Get A Negro as Mayor After a Long Fight". New York Times. 1970-07-13.
  7. Proceedings of the 157th Communication of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio F&AM. Columbus: Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio. 2006. p. 17.
  8. "Ex-mayor Still Casts and Impressive Shadow". Dayton Daily News. 2013-02-22.
Preceded by
Dave Hall		 Mayor of Dayton, Ohio
1970-1981		 Succeeded by
Paul Leonard


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