BINGHAM, James
Source: Indianapolis News 2 Nov 1908 Mon p 4
James BINGHAM of Muncie; lawyer; at present, Attorney-General and candidate for reelection; was born in Fountain County March 16, 1861; the first 16 years of his life were spent on the farm and he attended the district schools; he taught in the country schools and at age 22 was elected county superintendent of schools; he was reelected to that position two years later; he studied law and was admitted to the Fountain County bar in 1887; at that time he was almost totally blind and his wife did his reading for him; was elected prosecuting attorney of the 1st judicial circuit in 1890; he moved to Muncie 14 years ago where he remained in the practice of law until he was elected Attorney General two years ago; has numerous suits pending on behalf of the State against a number of brewing corporations of the state seeking to cancel their charters for exceeding the powers of their charters. If successful the breweries would be compelled to go out of the saloon business and other side lines.
Source: Rensselaer (Jasper County, Indiana) Semi-Weekly Republican 17 July 1908
JAMES BINGHAM, of Muncie. the Republican nominee for his second, term as Attorney-General, is recognized as one of the energetic, hardworking, capable and successful lawyers of Indiana. He was born in Fountain county, March 16, 1861, and . spent the first fifteen years of his i life on the farm, in the sawmill and at work upon the railroad, toiling to secure the means to educate himself. Later he taught in the district schools, and at the early age of twenty-two, had qualified himself for the position and was elected county superintendent of his native county for two successive terms. His work at that day was marked by the same energy and faithfulness which characterize his efforts at this time. He receives much lasting praise that in his county, as in other counties over the State, thousands of dollars were saved the taxpayers by his unearthing of the notorious Pollard school furniture swindles. These he followed up with vigorous prosecutions, which gave him a reputation, that has ever stayed with him, of cool-headed and conservative aggressiveness. From exposure and close application to his books, he became seriously and dangerously afflicted, and for two years his friends believed that he was doomed to become totally blind. It was under these trying circumstances that he was admitted to the Fountain county bar, and began the practice of law In 1887. He was unable to read a word, and it was here his good wife came to his rescue, reading; to him all the law he got, In court and out. It was this determined effort, along with a cheerful disposition and personal magnetism, that brought him a practice which has ever since continued to grow, until he is now one of the most successful practitioners of the State, with the same good, faithful wife a close student at his side. In 1890 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for the Twenty-first Judicial Circuit, and made one of the beat prosecutors that district ever had. He moved to Muncie fourteen years ago and has been highly successful in his legal practice there. He Is a clear thinker and a pleasing and convincing speaker. As Attorney-General, he has been prompt, courteous and fearless In performing the responsible duties of his office. For that reason he has made a popular public official, and has done his full share toward making the present State administration one that the people may endorse. *
