A Guide to the Papers of James A. Bear, 1922-1957 and undated
A Collection in
The Special Collections Department
Accession Number 8483-f
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Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections LibraryUniversity of Virginia
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USA
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Funding: Web version of the finding aid funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Processed by: Sharon Defibaugh
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
There are no restrictions.
Use Restrictions
See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.
Preferred Citation
Papers of James A. Bear, Accession #8483-f, Special Collections Dept., University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.
Acquisition Information
These papers were given to the University of Virginia Library by James A. Bear, Jr., Ivy, Virginia, on November 27, 2000.
Biographical/Historical Information
James A. Bear was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, and
graduated from Salem High School. He earned his degree in law
at the University of Virginia and practiced law in Roanoke
from 1903 until his death. Bear was an attorney in Roanoke
when he first ran for the Virginia House of Delegates in 1923,
being elected for the terms in 1924, 1926-1927, 1928, 1930,
and 1946-1947. He also served as the president 
of the Roanoke
Bar Association; member (1914-1918) and 
president of the Board
of Alderman of the City of Roanoke (1916-1918); member of the
Council of the City of Roanoke (1934-1940); and a member of
the first State Highway Commission. Bear was also one of the
founders of the First Federal Savings and Loan Association. He
was married to Elise Sheppard, and they had two children, Mrs.
Martin P. Burks and James Adam Bear, Jr.
Scope and Content Information
This collection consists of a scrapbook belonging to James A. Bear (1881-1956) of Roanoke, Virginia, and includes miscellaneous loose items of correspondence, printed materials and programs, news clippings, and speeches, ca. 65 items, 1922-1957 and n.d., formerly placed in the front of the scrapbook, and chiefly concerning Bear's civic and political activities.
The collection includes the following correspondents: H.S. Bales, George Preston Coleman (1870-1948), E. Griffith Dodson, Bill Harmon, L. D. James (City Clerk of Roanoke), J. Kenneth McCotter, Thomas B. Stanley, and Jim White. The speeches were all given when James A. Bear was a candidate for Roanoke City Council.
Also present is an oversize certificate issued upon Bear's election to the General Assembly in 1929 for the 1930 term.