James V Allred

             James V Allred (1899 - 1956) served as governor of Texas from 1935 to 1939. He enlisted in the Navy during World War I, then served as district attorney in Wichita Falls beginning in 1923. Appointed to the federal district judgeship by President Roosevelt, he served until 1942 when he resigned to run for the US Senate. Defeated, he returned to Texas and in 1949, President Truman reappointed him as federal judge. He was prominent and popular for his support of policies that benefited the state. Find some nice information on him at the Texas Archival Resources Online.

            My first question comes from seeing the "V" in his name with a period and without. Both the Texas Archival Resources Online and the Texas State Historical Association state that the "V" in his name does not stand as an initial but is a name all by itself. 

Floyd F. Ewing, "ALLRED, JAMES BURR V," Handbook of Texas Online(http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fal42), accessed February 23, 2015. Uploaded on June 9, 2010. Published by the Texas State Historical Association.

James V Allred marker flanked by markers for the first county officials and Joseph Hudson Barwise.  

The front of the Wichita County courthouse in January 2015.

The marker reads:

Texas Governor

James V. Allred

(1899 - 1959)

From this courthouse, James V.

Allred began his career that

led to highest state office.

As Lawyer with firm of ONeal

& Martin, he won elections as

district attorney in 1923 and

Attorney General of Texas, 1931.

Governor from 1935 to 1939,

he corrected many social and

economic ills, ushering in era 

of better government for state.

In his last years, he was a 

federal judge. He is remembered

for his crusading liberalism

and his personal integrity.

He married Joe Betsy Miller.

They had three sons. (1970)

James V Allred

           The markers for Allred and the first officials and courthouse in July 1970 during the unveiling. Pictured left to right are Stephen David and Rebecca Allred and James Huff Brookman, Wichita Falls Times, page 2A, July 10, 1970. 

 

           Mrs. James V Allred, (Joe Betsy Miller) widow, at the dedication ceremony, Wichita Falls Times Record News, July 11, 1970.

    The marker is located in front of the Wichita County courthouse, 900 Seventh Street 76301.
    GPS coordinates: 33-degrees 54' 43.3"  -98-degrees 29' 40.2".