# James Wakefield *Minnesota politician, United States representative and eighth lieutenant governor of Minnesota (1825–1910)* James Beach Wakefield (March 21, 1825 – August 25, 1910) held office in [[Minnesota]] as a state legislator, a federal land office receiver, the eighth [[Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota]] (1875–1877), and a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives in the 48th and 49th Congresses (1883–1887).[^1] He was born in Winsted, Connecticut, to Dr. Luman Wakefield and Betsey Rockwell. His father was a Connecticut politician. Through his sister Lucy Clarissa's marriage into the Phelps family, he was related by marriage to congressmen Lancelot Phelps and James Phelps, and through them to Samuel Ingham, a congressman and senator from Connecticut.[^1] He sat in the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]], where he was speaker in 1866, and then in the Minnesota State Senate from 1867 to 1869.[^1] ## Early life and education Wakefield went to public schools in Westfield, Massachusetts, and Jonesville, New York. He completed his studies at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1846.[^1] He then read law in Painesville, Lake County, Ohio. After his admission to the bar, he opened a practice in Delphi, Indiana, in 1852.[^1] ## Career in Minnesota In 1854 Wakefield settled in [[Shakopee]], Minnesota. He became the first judge of the probate court of [[Faribault County, Minnesota|Faribault County]].[^1] Voters returned him to the state House in 1858, 1863 and 1866, and he presided as speaker during the 1866 session. His state Senate service followed, from 1867 to 1869.[^1] On June 1, 1869, he took up an appointment as receiver of the United States Land Office at Winnebago City Township. He held the post until his resignation on January 15, 1875.[^1] ## Lieutenant governor Wakefield was Minnesota's eighth lieutenant governor, serving from 1875 to 1877.[^1] He was regarded as the likely Republican candidate for [[Governor of Minnesota|governor]] in 1879. That changed when the incumbent, [[John S. Pillsbury]], declared that he would run for a third term, and Wakefield lost the primary.[^1] ## Congress As a Republican, Wakefield won election to two consecutive Congresses, the 48th and the 49th. His term ran from March 4, 1883, through March 3, 1887.[^1] ## Later life and death After leaving public office, Wakefield lived in Blue Earth, Faribault County, Minnesota, where he died on August 25, 1910. His burial took place at Evergreen Cemetery in Painesville, Ohio.[^1] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - James Beach Wakefield held these offices: Minnesota House member (elected 1858, 1863, 1866), speaker (1866), Minnesota State Senate member (1867–1869), eighth lieutenant governor (1875–1877), and Republican U.S. representative (48th and 49th Congresses).[^1] ### What - He was the first judge of the probate court of Faribault County.[^1] - He was receiver of the United States Land Office at Winnebago City Township.[^1] ### When - He was born March 21, 1825, and died August 25, 1910.[^1] - He was appointed land office receiver June 1, 1869, and resigned January 15, 1875.[^1] - He served in Congress from March 4, 1883, to March 3, 1887.[^1] ### Where - He was born in Winsted, Connecticut. He moved to Shakopee, Minnesota, in 1854. He died at Blue Earth, Faribault County, Minnesota, and was interred at Evergreen Cemetery, Painesville, Ohio.[^1] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *James Wakefield* (revision 1364784140, retrieved 2026-10-25) — biography covering birth, family, education, Minnesota House and Senate service, land office appointment, lieutenant governorship, 1879 gubernatorial primary, congressional service and death. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Wakefield