Alexander James Dallas

Dallas County Alabama was named in honor of Alexander James Dallas, 1759–1817. Alexander James Dallas was the son of a Scottish physician who immigrated to Jamaica in the West Indies about 1750. He was born in the Island of Jamaica, 21 June 1759.

He was educated in Edinburgh and at Westminster and studied law in London. After his father's death he moved to Philadelphia in April of 1783 to practice law and was admitted to the bar in July 1785. As a lawyer while in Philadelphia he became very successful. He contributed articles for several periodicals and was an editor for "Columbian Magazine". From 1791 to 1801 he served as Secretary of state in Pennsylvania where he compiled an edition of Pennsylvania law and wrote several volumes of case reports.

In 1801 President Thomas Jefferson appointed him U.S. district attorney for the eastern district of Pennsylvania. He held the position until 1814.

From 1814-1816 he served in the cabinet of President Madison as Secretary of the Treasury.

After the war of 1812 The United states government was in dire financial condition. Mr. Dallas proposed a bill for increasing taxes, issuing treasury notes and establishing a government bank to bolster confidence in the U.S. currency. In November 1816, he retired from public service and died within weeks of returning to Philadelphia.

Alexander James died January 16, 1817 and is buried at St. Peter's Churchyard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

His son, Alexander James Dallas was a U.S. naval officer of note. He served during the war of 1812 and later in the extermination of sea pirates of the West Indies.

His son, George Mifflin Dallas graduated with honors at Princeton and studied law in his fathers' office. He served as solicitor of the U. S. bank, attorney general for Philadelphia County, Mayor, U. S. attorney, U.S. Senator and Vice President with James K. Polk.



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