James A. Elkins
Encyclopedia
James Anderson Elkins Sr. (1879 – 1972) was a Houston, Texas
lawyer. He co-founded the law firm, Vinson and Elkins
.
Born in Huntsville, Texas
, his father was a former Walker County sheriff, but died when Elkins was just a boy. He was reared by his mother and attended public schools. He later attended the University of Texas, receiving his law degree in 1901. After this Elkins returned home to Huntsville, then served as county judge there from 1903 to 1905. Although serving as a judge for only a few years in the earlier part of his career, the title "Judge" remained synonymous with Elkins throughout his years practicing law and banking. He joined with his friend, William Ashton Vinson, to open up a law practice together in Houston - Vinson and Elkins. In 1924, Elkins ventured into the banking industry, opening the Guaranty Trust Co. The bank eventually grew into Houston’s largest — First City National Bank. Politically well connected, Elkins was one of the most powerful business leaders in Houston during the city’s most formative years. http://www.houstonhistory.com/whoswho/history7hof.htm Elkins was a fundraiser for the University of Houston
, and served as a regent for the university as well
Elkins was a regular attendee of the so-called Suite 8F Group
(named after the room in the Lamar Hotel where gathering were held). This behind-the-scenes socialization amongst leading Texas politicians and businessmen included the likes of Jesse Jones, Gus Wortham
, James Abercrombie, George R. Brown
, Herman Brown, Lyndon Johnson, William L. Clayton
, William P. Hobby
, Oscar Holcombe, Hugh Roy Cullen
, and John Connally
.
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
lawyer. He co-founded the law firm, Vinson and Elkins
Vinson and Elkins
Vinson & Elkins LLP is an international law firm headquartered in the First City Tower in Downtown Houston, Texas. The firm has offices in 15 major energy, financial, and political centers worldwide, including Abu Dhabi, Austin, Beijing, Dallas, Dubai, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Moscow, New York...
.
Born in Huntsville, Texas
Huntsville, Texas
Huntsville is a city in and the county seat of Walker County, Texas, United States. The population was 35,508 at the 2010 census. It is the center of the Huntsville micropolitan area....
, his father was a former Walker County sheriff, but died when Elkins was just a boy. He was reared by his mother and attended public schools. He later attended the University of Texas, receiving his law degree in 1901. After this Elkins returned home to Huntsville, then served as county judge there from 1903 to 1905. Although serving as a judge for only a few years in the earlier part of his career, the title "Judge" remained synonymous with Elkins throughout his years practicing law and banking. He joined with his friend, William Ashton Vinson, to open up a law practice together in Houston - Vinson and Elkins. In 1924, Elkins ventured into the banking industry, opening the Guaranty Trust Co. The bank eventually grew into Houston’s largest — First City National Bank. Politically well connected, Elkins was one of the most powerful business leaders in Houston during the city’s most formative years. http://www.houstonhistory.com/whoswho/history7hof.htm Elkins was a fundraiser for the University of Houston
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
, and served as a regent for the university as well
Elkins was a regular attendee of the so-called Suite 8F Group
Suite 8F Group
The Suite 8F Group was a network of politically active businessman in Texas and other southern states in the early 1960s. The name comes from the room in the Lamar Hotel in Houston, Texas where they held their meetings.- Membership :...
(named after the room in the Lamar Hotel where gathering were held). This behind-the-scenes socialization amongst leading Texas politicians and businessmen included the likes of Jesse Jones, Gus Wortham
Gus Wortham
Gus Sessions Wortham , was a businessman and civic leader.-Biography:He was born on February 18, 1891 in Mexia, Texas to John Lee Wortham and Fannie Sessions. He moved with his father, John Lee Wortham, to Houston, Texas, and opened John L. Wortham and Son, an insurance agency...
, James Abercrombie, George R. Brown
George R. Brown
George Rufus Brown was a prominent Houstonian entrepreneur. Brown led Brown & Root Inc. to become one of the largest construction companies in the world and helped to foster the political career of Lyndon B. Johnson. The George R. Brown Convention Center and the George R...
, Herman Brown, Lyndon Johnson, William L. Clayton
William L. Clayton
William Lockhart "Will" Clayton was an American business leader and government official.-Early life and career:...
, William P. Hobby
William P. Hobby
William Pettus Hobby was the publisher of the Houston Post and the 27th Governor of the U.S. state of Texas from 1917 to 1921....
, Oscar Holcombe, Hugh Roy Cullen
Hugh Roy Cullen
Hugh Roy Cullen was an American industrialist and philanthropist. Cullen was heavily involved in the petroleum industry, was a large supporter of the University of Houston, and longtime chairman of the board of regents for the university...
, and John Connally
John Connally
John Bowden Connally, Jr. , was an influential American politician, serving as the 39th governor of Texas, Secretary of the Navy under President John F. Kennedy, and as Secretary of the Treasury under President Richard M. Nixon. While he was Governor in 1963, Connally was a passenger in the car in...
.