James Bede

James Adam Bede (January 13, 1856 – April 11, 1942) was a U.S. Representative from Minnesota; born on a farm in North Eaton Township, Lorain County, Ohio; he attended the public schools of Ohio, Oberlin College, and Tabor College in Tabor, Iowa; read law while learning the printing trade; taught school in Iowa, Ohio, and Arkansas; editor and publisher of several newspapers and periodicals; served as a representative for several western newspapers in Washington, D.C., 1888 – 1891; engaged in newspaper work at Pine City, Pine County, Minnesota; served as United States marshal for the district of Minnesota in 1894 during the great railway strike; spoke at the first annual dinner of the Associated Press in New York; [New York Times, Thurs., Dec. 17, 1903, Page 7] elected as a Republican to the 58th, 59th, and 60th congresses, (March 4, 1903 – March 3, 1909); unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1908 to the 61st congress; returned to Pine City; engaged as a publisher and lecturer; moved to Duluth, Minnesota, in 1927 and engaged in his former pursuits; also was interested in the St. Lawrence inland waterway project; died in Duluth, Minnesota, April 11, 1942; interment in Birchwood Cemetery, Pine City, Minnesota.

Adam Bede was noted for his humor and speaking style. In an April 28, 1912 article titled “How humor Enlivens the Solemn Work of Congress” the New York Times reported:

Adam Bede was one of the most popular stump speakers and spellbinders of the present generation. His speeches were full of dry humor and his droll manner of illustrating his arguments by stories of the day never failed to win the applause of his audiences.

In his book The Homesteaders recounting life in early twentieth century rural Pine County Minnesota, O Bernard Johnson describes Bede's speaking style as follows:

J. Adam Bede of Pine City, was a congressman in the early 1900s. He was a great humorist and had a rapid fire delivery. When running for reelection he spoke in our schoolhouse and had the audience in stitches during his entire speech. If he said anything seriously about the issues of the day no one can recall, but I am sure that his humor got him many votes.

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