Jim Wells County, Texas Biographies

Hon. W. R. Perkins. It would seem an anachronism to designate the Hon. W. R. Perkins, '' the father of Jim Wells county," for his life span includes little more than a score and a half of years, but to him the county must give credit for its existence, his faithful labors in the State Legislature and among the citizens of this section having brought about the movement which culminated May 9, 1911, in the forming of this new county. At that time his fellow citizens gave evidence of their appreciation of his efforts by electing him the first county judge, a position he has continued to fill with dignity and efficiency, and in addition thereto he is ex- officio county superintendent of schools. His career since coming to Alice, in 1905, has been one of great activity and high achievement, and in public, professional and social life he is recognized as one of the leaders of the younger generation. Mr. Perkins was born in 1881, in Holmes county, Mississippi, and is a son of the Rev. C. W. Perkins. His father, also a native of that county, was for many years a minister of the Methodist church there, but in 1893 came to Texas and took charge of a church of the Methodist denomination in San Antonio, but has now retired. W. R. Perkins received his early education in the public schools of his native county, and was twelve years of age when he accompanied his parents to Texas, where he resumed his studies in Southwestern University, Georgetown. Following his graduation from that institution, he entered Sam Houston Normal School, at Huntsville, and on leaving that school in 1901 entered upon the study of law. After two years spent in the law department of the University of Texas, at Austin, he was admitted to the bar in .that city in 1905, and at once came to Alice, which city has since been his field of activity. Immediately upon locating here, Mr. Perkins identified himself with matters of a public nature, enterinig actively into political affairs, with the result that .in 1909 he was sent to the Thirty-first Legislature. He' had organized the voters of this section for the purpose of forming the new county of Jim Wells from the western portion of Nueces county, and the greater part of his attention while in the Legislature was devoted to having his bill passed. Mr. Perkins was elected the first county judge of Jim Wells county, May 9, 1911, and in November, 1912, was re-elected to succeed himself for the regular term. In the administration of the affairs of his office he has shown the highest degree of impartiality and executive ability. He has commanded the respect of his co-workers and fellow citizens, creating the impression that he is a man of convictions and judgment, one who can voice his sentiments before a body politic when the occasion arises. Perhaps the greatest factor in his success is his reliability. The people always know that he is one of them, and is with them on all questions pertaining to their welfare, and they have long since become convinced that his policy is safe and sure as it is broad, generous and progressive. It is to such citizens that the county must look for its future greatness, and a community is indeed fortunate which possesses men of this caliber. Mr, Perkins was married to Miss Edith Williams, who was born and reared at San Marcos, Texas, and to this union there have been born three daughters, namely: Dorothy, Lucile and Eulalie.   William A. Hinnant, sheriff of Jim Wells county, a position which he has held since the county came into existence May 9, 1911, is one of the most progressive and prominent citizens of Alice, Texas, one who has prospered in business, and has earned success in public life by his enterprise, natural sagacity, and well-established reputation for integrity and courage. It is a pleasure to bear testimony to his real worth, a testimony that unmistakably voices the sentiments of the entire community. Mr. Hinnant was born in Gonzales county, Texas, in 1852, and is a son of John and Nancy (Hundson) Hinnant. John Hinnant was born in North Carolina, and there sient his early years, in young manhood moving to Mississippi, where he met and married Nancy Hudson, who had been born and reared in that State. About 1844 or 1845 he came to what was then the Republic of Texas, locating in Gonzales county, and there took up the lite of a cattleman on the wide open range. He continued successfully in Gonzales county until 1857, at which time he moved to Nueces county, and settled on the range on the Nueces river, about twelve miles from the county seat of Corpus Christi. He continued his operations in raising and shipping cattle, became successful in. his business, and when he died was known as one of his community's prominent and highly respected citizens. William A. Hinnant secured instruction in the public schools of Gonzales and Nueces counties, and was reared to the life of the range. When still a lad he began assisting his father as a cowboy, making long trips over the trails with large herds of cattle, often as far as Kansas. He was an active participant in the stirring history of the cattle business in the days of the great open range, ending in the early '80s, and assisted in no small manner in the development and progress of his section of the country. He continued to have his home in Nueces county until the present county of Jim Wells was formed out of the western portion of Nueces, when the geographical change made him a resident of the new county. Jim Wells county was organized and began its existence on May 9, 1911, and on that date Mr. Hiunant became, by election, the first sheriff of the new county. Subsequently, in the regular election of November, 1912, he was elected to succeed himself for the regular term of two years. A man of courage, sagacity and high ideals as to the responsibilities of public service, he has given the public splendid service, and his record is one to which he may point with pride. He has had at all times the support and co-operation of the law-abiding element, and his success in bringing malefactors to justice has made him justly feared by the criminals of this section. In addition to the duties of sheriff, he combines those of tax collector, and his services in this office have also been above reproach. Mr. Hinnant was married in Nueces county to Miss Fannie Beckham, and they have been the parents of one daughter and six sons, as follows: May, who is now the wife of Charles B. Du Bose; and Claud W., Raymond L., Thomas J., Bertie, Archie and King. The members of the Hinnant family are widely known and have many warm friends throughout this section.