James Walter Elder (October 5, 1882 – December 16, 1941) was an American lawyer and politician who served one-term as a United States Representative for Louisiana's 5th congressional district from 1913 to 1915.
James W. Elder | |
|---|---|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 5th district | |
| In office March 4, 1913 – March 3, 1915 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph E. Ransdell |
| Succeeded by | Riley J. Wilson |
| State Representative from Catahoula Parish | |
| In office 1900–1904 | |
| Preceded by | Henry Breithaupt |
| Succeeded by | E. B. Cottingham |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James Walter Elder October 5, 1882 Grand Prairie, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | December 16, 1941 (aged 59) Ruston, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Resting place | Greenwood Cemetery in Ruston, Louisiana |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Ruston, Louisiana |
| Alma mater | Baylor University |
| Occupation | Attorney |
Biography
editA native of Grand Prairie, Texas, James W. Elder attended the public schools and from 1895 to 1901 Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He later studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1903, and commenced practice in Farmerville in Union Parish, Louisiana.
Early career
editElder served as mayor of Farmerville before he moved to Monroe in Ouachita Parish to continue his legal practice.
Politics
editHe was a member of the Louisiana State Senate for one term from 1908 to 1912 and was elected as a Democrat to the Sixty-third Congress, in which he served from March 4, 1913, to March 3, 1915. He was defeated for renomination in 1914 by Riley J. Wilson.
Later career and death
editAfter leaving Congress, Elder returned to the practice of law in Farmerville. On January 1, 1925, he relocated to Ruston, where he continued the practice of law until his death on December 16, 1941.
He is interred at Greenwood Cemetery in Ruston.
References
edit- United States Congress. "James Walter Elder (id: E000102)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.