James French Strange (February 9, 1872 – September 9, 1926) was a politician, banker and merchant from Maryland. He served as Mayor of Annapolis from 1909 to 1919 and as a member of the Maryland Senate from 1924 to 1925.

James F. Strange
Strange in 1914 publication
Member of the Maryland Senate
In office
1924–1925
Preceded byA. Theodore Brady
Succeeded byGeorge T. Cromwell
Mayor of Annapolis
In office
1909–1919
Preceded byGordon Claude
Succeeded byJohn Levy
Personal details
Born
James French Strange

(1872-02-09)February 9, 1872
Annapolis, Maryland, U.S.
DiedSeptember 9, 1926(1926-09-09) (aged 54)
Annapolis, Maryland, U.S.
Resting placeSt. Anne's Cemetery
Annapolis, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)
Julia Maud Higgins
(m. 1898; div. 1912)

Geneva Kiddler
(m. 1924)
Children1
Occupation
  • Politician
  • banker
  • merchant

Early life

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James French Strange was born on February 9, 1872, in Annapolis, Maryland, to Caroline M. (née Yewell) and Robert Ellis Strange (1846–1908). He attended schools in Annapolis.[1][2]

Career

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Strange worked as a merchant with his father in his contracting business Robert E. Strange & Sons.[1][2] Strange enlisted in Company G, 1st Infantry Regiment of the Regular Army. He served for nine years.[1]

Strange worked as a banker and served as vice president of the Annapolis & Eastport Building & Loan Association. He was director of the Annapolis Banking & Trust Company.[1][2]

Strange served as president of the board of county almshouse Strange served as Mayor of Annapolis from 1909 to 1919.[1] Strange served as vice president of the Fortification Conference of mayors of cities on the Chesapeake Bay. He served as election supervisor in Annapolis in 1921.[1] He served as a member of the Annapolis City Council from 1903 to 1911.[1]

Strange was a Democrat. He served as a member of the Maryland Senate from 1924 to 1925.[1][3]

Personal life

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Strange married Julia Maud Higgins on February 9, 1898. They had one son, Robert French (born 1898). They divorced in 1912 and she died in 1919. Strange married Geneva Kiddler on January 2, 1924, in Baltimore.[1] He was a member and vestryman of St. Anne's Episcopal Church.[1]

Strange lived at 159 Main Street in Annapolis.[2]

Strange died on September 9, 1926, in Annapolis. He was buried at the family lot at St. Anne's Cemetery in Annapolis.[1][4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "James F. Strange". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. September 13, 2002. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d Distinguished Men of Baltimore and of Maryland. Baltimore American. 1914. p. 48. Retrieved December 4, 2022 – via Archive.org.
  3. ^ "Historical List, Senate, Anne Arundel County (1838-1966)". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. September 30, 1999. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  4. ^ "Funeral Services Held for James F. Strange". The Baltimore Sun. September 12, 1926. p. 6. Retrieved December 4, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. 
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