James LeRoy Giles

James LeRoy Giles
22nd Mayor of Orlando
In office August 13, 1916 – January 1, 1920
Preceded by	E. Frank Sperry
Succeeded by	Eugene Duckworth
24th Mayor of Orlando
In office April 2, 1924 – January 1, 1926
Preceded by	Eugene Duckworth
Succeeded by	Latta Malette Autrey
26th Mayor of Orlando
In office January 1, 1929 – January 1, 1932
Preceded by	Latta Malette Autrey
Succeeded by	Samuel Yulee Way
Personal details
Born	(1863-06-16)June 16, 1863 Zellwood, Orange County, Florida, U.S.
Died	May 3, 1946(1946-05-03) (aged 82) Orlando, Florida, U.S.
Political party	Democrat
Spouse	Nannie C. (Bartlett) Giles
Children	Leroy Bartlett, Edna Adelma (Radebaugh), and Estelle (Weathersbee)
Parent(s)	Enoch H. Giles and Nellie B. Giles
Occupation	Real estate dealer

James LeRoy Giles (June 16, 1863 – May 3, 1946) was the twenty-second, twenty-fourth, and twenty-sixth Mayor of Orlando, serving non-consecutively from 1916 to 1920, 1924 to 1926, and 1929 to 1932. He also served as an alternate delegate to the Democratic National Convention from Florida in the 1912 United States Presidential Election.^[1]

Biography

James Giles was born in Zellwood in Orange County, Florida, on June 16, 1863. His father was the Reverend Enoch H. Giles (1836–1908) and his mother was Nellie B. Giles (1847–1917).

He first became Mayor of Orlando when he succeeded incumbent E. Frank Sperry upon his death on August 13, 1916.^[2]

In his 1919 bid for reelection, he was defeated by Eugene Duckworth. Later, in 1924, he became mayor again upon Duckworth's resignation from office due to a failed city commissioners recall election.^{[3] [4] [5]}

He was defeated in his bid for reelection again in 1925 by Latta Malette Autrey,^[6] but subsequently defeated Autrey in the next election in 1929.^[7] He did not run for another term in 1931, and was succeeded by Samuel Yulee Way.

Death

Giles died on May 3, 1946, in Orlando, Florida. He was 82 years old. He was interred at Greenwood Cemetery.

Legacy

His niece Edna Giles Fuller would eventually become the first woman elected to the Florida House of Representatives.^[8]

Political offices
Preceded by E. Frank Sperry	Mayor of Orlando, Florida 1916-1920	Succeeded by Eugene Goodman Duckworth
Preceded by Eugene Goodman Duckworth	Mayor of Orlando, Florida 1924-1926	Succeeded by Latta Malette Autrey
Preceded by Latta Malette Autrey	Mayor of Orlando, Florida 1929-1932	Succeeded by Samuel Yulee Way

References

1. Larry Kestenbaum. "Giles, James L. (b. 1863)". politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
2. "Mayor Sperry of Orlando Dies at Home in This City Sunday Afternoon at 73 Years of Age". Orlando Evening Star. 1916-08-16. p. 6. Retrieved 2024-05-26 – via Newspapers.com.
3. "Duckworth's Resignation Is Accepted". Orlando Evening Star. 1924-03-05. p. 1. Retrieved 2024-05-26 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "Mayor Duckworth To Resign Brokaw and Hausel Defeated Yesterday". Orlando Morning Sentinel. March 5, 1924. p. 1. Retrieved May 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "Bond Issue Defeated - Giles Elected Mayor". Orlando Morning Sentinel. April 2, 1924. p. 1. Retrieved November 14, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "Mayor Autrey Assumes Duty as City Ruler". Orlando Morning Sentinel. January 2, 1926. p. 1. Retrieved November 7, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Large Throng Attends Giles Inauguration". Orlando Morning Sentinel. January 2, 1929. p. 1. Retrieved November 7, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
8. Mark Andrews (October 17, 1999). "Pioneering Public Women Also Excelled In Other Fields". Orlando Sentinel.