James Gould Polk (October 6, 1896 - April 28, 1959) was a prominent U.S. politician of the Democratic Party during the middle of the 20th century. A native of Highland County, Ohio, Polk grew up on a farm and graduated from high school in New Vienna, Ohio. He did not serve during World War I because of a physical disability, and graduated from Ohio State University in 1919.
Polk worked as a school administrator in small towns in Ohio during the 1920s, and was first elected to office in 1930, as a U.S. Congressman from Ohio's 6th District. He won five elections in a row before stepping down in 1941.
During World War II, Polk worked as a special assistant in the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C.
After the war, Polk re-entered politics, and won back his old Congressional seat in the 1948 election. He remained in Congress until his death.
Polk's remains are buried in Highland Cemetery in Highland, Ohio.
