John R. Needham

John R. Needham (December 18, 1824 – July 9, 1868) was an American Republican politician, lawyer, and newspaper editor who served as the 3rd Lieutenant Governor of Iowa from 1862 to 1864.^[1][2][3]

John R. Needman
3rd Lieutenant Governor of Iowa
In office January 19, 1862 – January 14, 1864
Governor	Samuel Kirkwood
Preceded by	Nicholas J. Rusch
Succeeded by	Enoch W. Eastman
Member of the Iowa Senate
In office December 6, 1852- November 30, 1856
In office January 13, 1868- July 9, 1868
Personal details
Born	(1824-12-18)December 18, 1824 Washington Court House, Ohio
Died	July 9, 1868(1868-07-09) (aged 43) Oskaloosa, Iowa

Biography

He was born in Washington Court House, Ohio in 1824.^[1][2]

Needham studied law and was admitted to the bar in Cambridge, Ohio.^[1][2]

In 1849 he moved to Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa.^[1][2] On July 2, 1850 he founded The Oskaloosa Herald, originally called the Iowa Herald.^[1][2][3]

He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.^[1][2]

Political career

He served in the Iowa State Senate beginning in 1852, with the Whig Party, serving until 1856.^[1][2]

In 1857 Needham was nominated, but refused, to be a member of the convention to frame a new Constitution.^[1] He was then elected Lieutenant Governor between 1862 and 1864, serving under Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood.^[1][2]

In 1867, Needham was again re-elected to the Iowa Senate but died in 6 months into his four year term of office.^[1][2]