James M. Barnes (congressman)

James M. Barnes (January 9, 1899 – June 8, 1958) was a Member of the US House of Representatives from Illinois and Administrative Assistant to Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman.

James Martin Barnes was born on January 9, 1899 in Jacksonville, Illinois. He attended the local schools and served in the United States Marine Corps during World War I.

Barnes graduated from Illinois College in 1921 and Harvard Law School in 1924. He was admitted to the bar in 1924 and practiced in Jacksonville. He was also active in business, and served on the boards of directors of the Ideal Baking Company, the Jacksonville Farm Supply Company and other companies.

A Democrat, he served as Morgan County Judge from 1926 to 1934, afterwards resuming the practice of law.

Barnes was elected to the Seventy-sixth and Seventy-seventh Congresses and served from January 3, 1939 to January 3, 1943. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1942.

In March, 1943 Barnes was appointed as Administrative Assistant to President Roosevelt. He continued in the position under President Truman following Roosevelt's death, serving from March 1, 1943 to July 15, 1945. In 1944 he was a Delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

After leaving the White House Barnes practiced law in Washington, D.C.

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