James Monroe (congressman) city of Oberlin. "Notes"' Sources James Monroe (congressman) James Monroe (July 18, 1821 – July 6, 1898) was a U.S. Representative from Ohio. Born in Plainfield, Connecticut, Monroe attended the common schools and Plainfield Academy. He was graduated from Oberlin College in 1846. He pursued a postgraduate course in theology and was a professor at Oberlin College from 1849–1862. He served as a member of the State house of representatives of Ohio in 1856–1859. He served in the State senate from 1860–1862, during which time he was chosen to serve as president pro tempore from 1861 and 1862. In October
James Monroe of Virginia and rose to national prominence as a diplomat in France when he helped negotiate the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. During the War of 1812, Monroe served in critical roles as Secretary of State and the Secretary of War under President James Madison. Facing little opposition from the waning Federalist Party, Monroe was easily elected president in 1816, winning over eighty percent against Rufus King (who hadn't even been chosen by a convention since the Federalists were too weak to organize) of the electoral vote and becoming the last president during the First Party System era of American politics.