NY State Senator, UB Chancellor, & US Minister to Belgium

Lived: (July 4, 1818-April 24, 1903)

Biography

James was born in Attica and would graduated from Yale College in 1839 studying law. He began his law practice in Buffalo.

January 5, 1842 James married Harriet Foster Palmer and they had four children together. Harriet passed away in 1853.

1854 and 1855 James was a member of the New York State Senate representing the 31st district.

March 15, 1855 James married Kate F. Wright, together they had three sons.

1857, James ran for Secretary of State of New York on the American Party ticket but was defeated by Democrat Gideon J. Tucker.

1860 James was a presidential elector and voted for Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin.

From 1880-1882 James was the U.S. Minister to Belgium.

In 1881 James was also a United States delegate to the International Industrial Property Congress at Paris.

1895-1902 James served at the 4th Chancellor of the University of Buffalo.

James passed away in Buffalo and is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo.

Siblings:

Spouses:

Harriet Foster (Palmer) Putnam (Married: Jan. 5, 1842)

Kate F. (Wright) Putnam (Married: Mar. 15, 1855)

Children:

George Palmer Putnam

Harriett O. Putnam

Anna Jennette (Putnam) Keating

Kate E. Putnam

Dr. James W. Putnam

Harvey Putnam

Frank Curtis Putnam