James German

Last updated
James German
Member of the TexasHouseofRepresentatives
from the 11th district
In office
January 13, 1874 April 18, 1876
Personal details
Born(1835-05-08)May 8, 1835
Versailles, Missouri, United States
DiedApril 19, 1913(1913-04-19) (aged 77)
Political party Democratic Party
Relatives William Silas Vernon (son-in-law)

James Lafayette German was an American politician who served in the Texas House of Representatives from January 1874 to April 1876.

Biography

James Lafayette German was born on May 8, 1835, near Versailles, Missouri, to Zacheus German and Nancy Webb. He attended private school until he began teaching at 15. In 1861 he attended the University of Missouri, but he joined the Confederate State of America's Army at the start of the American Civil War. He reached the rank of adjutant general under Sterling Price and was wounded at the Battle of Pea Ridge. After the war he moved to Kentucky Town, Texas, to work as a teacher. He married a former student, Eliza Paxton, on January 9, 1870. The couple had eleven children. [1] One of his daughters, Clara P. German, married William Silas Vernon. [2]

German supported prohibition and was elected to the 14th Texas Legislature representing the 11th district. [1] He served in the Texas House of Representatives from January 13, 1874, to April 18, 1876, as a member of the Democratic Party. [3] He was also a delegate to the 1875 Texas Constitutional Convention. He died on April 19, 1913. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Kumler, Donna J. (January 1, 1995). "James L. German: Legislator, Educator, and Advocate for Prohibition". tshaonline.org. Texas State Historical Association . Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  2. "Necrology: William Silas Vernon" (PDF). Chronicles of Oklahoma . 8 (3): 350. September 1930. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  3. "James Lafayette German". lrl.texas.gov. Legislative Reference Library of Texas. Retrieved October 19, 2025.