In 1864, three years after Kansas achieved statehood, Mead—a lifelong Republican—was elected to the House of Representatives from Butler County. In 1868 he was elected to the State Senate, representing the fifteenth district of Kansas. The latter term of service saw him serve as Chairman of the Joint Ways and Means Committee.
Letters of James R. Mead to his family, March-December 1864
Correspondence from James R. Mead to his parents, Enoch and Mary E. Mead, his sister Lizzie, and his wife Agnes. Notable items include a letter to his parents (Nov. 26, 1864) in which Mead discusses Kansas politics and the possibility of running for the state legislature and a letter to his sister (Aug. 10, 1864) describing the war’s effect on business, Jefferson Davis’s proposal to the Kansas Indians, and Mead’s own religious views.
Letters from James R. Mead to his family, January-December 1865
Letters from James R. Mead to his parents Enoch and Mary E. Mead and to his sister Lizzie. Of note are letters in which Mead announces his election to the Kansas Legislature (Jan. 8, 1865) and describes an Indian attack on a nearby settlement (Apr. 4, 1865).
Letters from James R. Mead to his family, February-November 1868
Correspondence from James R. Mead to his parents, Enoch and Mary E. Mead, and his sister, Lizzie, in which he discusses the Indian Wars, Senate business, family life, and the possibility of quitting the Indian trade. Of note is a letter to his parents (Nov. 20, 1868) announcing his election to the Kansas legislature.
Certificate noting James R. Mead's election to Kansas Senate, November 2, 1868
