For nearly half a century has James Brizzolara been a prominent and influential resident of Fort Smith, Arkansas, and during that period his participation in public affairs has been marked by intrinsic loyalty to duty and a contribution of time and energy to all matters tending to advance the general welfare. He has had an exciting and adventurous military career and in the business world holds preeminence as a financier of remarkable executive ability, his rapid rise to a place of distinction as a lawyer and business man being ample evidence of his success.

A native son of the fine old Virginia commonwealth, James Brizzolara was born at Richmond on the 9th of January, 1848, and he is a son of James and Rose Brizzolara. The father was a merchant by occupation during his lifetime and he was summoned to eternal rest about the year 1851, his cherished and devoted wife passing away in 1857. To them were born three children and of the number the subject was the second in order of birth. When a child of six months Mr. Brizzolara's parents removed from the Old Dominion state to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, they being residents of that city during the cholera epidemic. After availing himself of the advantages afforded in the public schools of Pittsburg, Mr. Brizzolara, as a youth of twelve years of age, went to Memphis, Tennessee, where he began to read law in the offices of Heiskel, Scott & Heiskel and later in those of Chalmers & Turley. He also studied law under the able preceptorship of General Albert H. Pike and he was admitted to the bar at Memphis in 1867. He initiated the active practice of his profession in that city and rapidly built up a large and representative clientage, gaining prestige as one of the most brilliant young lawyers in Shelby county, Tennessee. Now a stalwart Republican in his political adherency, he became an active factor in local politics and in due time was elected prosecuting attorney of the city of Fort Smith, in which office he acquitted himself with all honor and distinction.

In 1869 he came to Fort Smith, which city has since represented his home. He immediately entered upon the practice of law and is widely renowned as an able and versatile trial lawyer and as a well fortified counselor. In the Brooks-Baxter gubernatorial war of the early '70s he was precipitated into military life and during that strenuous period he was made inspector general of state troops, under General Fagan.

As previously noted, Mr. Brizzolara is aligned as a loyal supporter of the cause of the Republican party in his political proclivities and he has been honored by his fellow citizens with many offices of distinct trust and responsibility. He served with efficiency for four terms as mayor of Fort Smith and for three terms he was postmaster of the city, under appointment by President McKinley and President Roosevelt. At one time he was assistant United States district attorney for the Western district of Arkansas, under Judge Isaac H. Parker, and he has also been United States circuit court commissioner under Judge Parker. One of his early law partners was W. H. H. Clayton, a former United States district attorney, and he is now a member of the well known law firm of Hill, Brizzolara & Fitzhugh. Aside from his extensive legal practice he is deeply interested in various important financial concerns. He is secretary and attorney of the Fort Smith Light & Traction Company, which operates the street-car system and electric-lighting of Fort Smith, and in all his legal and business affairs he is known and honored for his fair and straightforward methods. He is affiliated with several professional and fraternal organizations of representative character. Mr. Brizzolara is a man of high principles, fine character and in all the relations of life he has so conducted himself as to command the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens. He is decidedly popular in his home city and state, where the circle of his friends is coincident with that of his acquaintances.