James E. Broome
James Emilius Broome (
December 15,
1808–
November 23,
1883) was an
American politician who was the third
governor of
Florida.
Broome was born in
Hamburg, South Carolina and moved to Florida in
1837. He engaged in the mercantile business until he retired in
1841. In that same year, Governor
Richard Keith Call appointed him to the position of
Probate Judge of
Leon County. He served in that position until
1848. He was elected governor in
1852 as a
Democrat, and took office on
October 3,
1853. He was an early
States'-Righter. During his term, the
Whig Party, the opposition to the
Democrats at the time, controlled the
Florida State Legislature. He vetoed so many of the bills that were passed by the legislature that he became known as the "Veto Governor". After his gubernatorial stint ended on
October 5,
1857, Broome served as a member of the
Florida Senate in
1861. A large
plantation owner, he was very sympathetic to the
Confederate cause.
James E. Broome was married five times. In
1865, he moved to
New York City. On a visit with his son in
DeLand, Florida, Broome died in
1883.
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Official Governor's portrait and biography from the State of Florida
