Jesse James

Jesse William James (October 10, 1904 – September 29, 1977) was an American politician from Texas. A member of the Democratic Party, James served as Texas State Treasurer from 1941 until his death in 1977. His near 36-year tenure made him the longest serving Texas State Treasurer.

James served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1933 to 1937, when he resigned to accept a position in the office of the state treasurer. When the incumbent state treasurer, Charley Lockhart, resigned due to poor health, Governor Coke R. Stevenson appointed James to the office. James continued to be reelected as state treasurer until he died in office. He was succeeded by Warren G. Harding, whom James had defeated for reelection in 1956.

Early life James was born on October 10, 1904, in Sand Grove, south of Milano, Texas, in Milam County, to John A. and Delia James. Jesse was one of 11 children. His father worked on a local railroad and was called "Jesse James" by his associates; as a result, he decided to name his son after the bank- and train-robber. He became a merchant in his home county.

Career In 1932, James was nominated by the Democratic Party for the Texas House of Representatives seat for District 65, representing parts of Milam, Burleson, and Lee counties. He won the election, In 1937, Charley Lockhart, the Texas State Treasurer, appointed James as the first assistant chief clerk. James resigned from the Texas House to take the role on September 1. Later in his career, he was criticized for keeping the state's funds in checking accounts rather than savings accounts, with one political challenger claiming that this cost the state an estimated $91 million in interest. James also sold boats and developed the Lake Travis Lodges. He was hospitalized at Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas, on September 19. He suffered a fatal heart attack on September 29, and was buried in the Texas State Cemetery in Austin.