James David Shaver (1861 - 1951)

Born 28 Feb 1861 in Reeds Creek Township, Lawrence, Arkansas, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah Hunter (Borden) Shaver — married 16 Dec 1884 in Pulaski, Kentucky, United States

Died 14 Mar 1951 at age 90 in Ashdown, Little River, Arkansas, United States

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Biography

James David Shaver was born on February 28, 1861, in Reeds Creek, Lawrence County, Arkansas, to his parents Robert Glenn Shaver and Adelaide Louise (Ringgold) Shaver. In 1873, his family relocated to Centre Point, Arkansas, marking a significant move in his formative years. He received his early education in the common schools of the era and showed an aptitude for learning.

In 1882, James embarked on a career in law by becoming an apprentice to his father, eventually earning his admission to the bar in 1884 in Centre Point, Howard County, Arkansas. He established a law practice alongside his father, and together they became known for their formidable legal skills. Notably, they took on the defense in the infamous Brooks murder case, successfully clearing their clients of the charges. Their legal prowess was further demonstrated in the Bussell murder case, where they represented the defendants, although a verdict was not reached.

On December 16, 1884, James David Shaver married Sally Hunter Borden in Pulaski County, Kentucky, marking a significant milestone in his personal life.

In 1888, he entered the political arena and was elected to represent Howard County in the Arkansas House of Representatives, a position he held until 1890. During his tenure in the legislature, he introduced legislation aimed at amending the state constitution to alter the method of levying and collecting school taxes, although his efforts in this regard were unsuccessful. However, another one of his bills, which sought to place sealed writings on equal footing with unsealed writings in terms of statute of limitations, became law.

In 1889, James and his father amicably dissolved their law partnership, with James choosing to continue practicing law independently in Centre Point.

In 1890, he embarked on a new chapter of his career by being elected as the prosecuting attorney for what is now known as the Ninth Judicial Circuit, serving two consecutive terms, totaling four years.

His dedication to public service extended to local governance, as he served as the mayor of Centre Point for two terms and was chairman of the Democratic Central Committee.

By 1900, James had relocated to Mena, Polk County, Arkansas, where he continued to work as an attorney in private practice. In 1901, he was appointed the chancellor of the sixth chancery district of Arkansas, a position he held for an impressive 22 years until 1923, at which point he transitioned back into private law practice.

Throughout the years, James's commitment to the legal profession remained steadfast. In the 1910s, he lived in Mena, Polk County, Arkansas, and continued to serve as an attorney in private practice. In 1920, he was located on East Elm Street in Texarkana, Miller County, Arkansas, and assumed the role of a judge in chancery court.

Even in the 1930s and 1940s, James David Shaver continued his legal career, residing in Texarkana, Miller County, Arkansas. He remained actively engaged in private law practice.

Remarkably, he was the senior figure in the Texarkana law firm of Shaver, Shaver, and Williams, only retiring from active practice in 1941 at the remarkable age of 80.

Sadly, on March 14, 1951, James David Shaver passed away while en route to the hospital in Ashdown, Little River County, Arkansas, due to a coronary occlusion. He was laid to rest at East Memorial Gardens in Texarkana, Miller County, Arkansas, leaving behind a legacy of legal excellence and dedicated public service that would be remembered for generations to come.

Sources

• 1880 United States Federal Census: Year: 1880; Census Place: Centre Point, Howard, Arkansas; Roll: 46; Page: 56D; Enumeration District: 115 Ancestry Record 6742 #39642021
• 1900 United States Federal Census: Year: 1900; Census Place: Mena, Polk, Arkansas; Roll: 72; Page: 15; Enumeration District: 0096 Ancestry Record 7602 #75856908
• 1910 United States Federal Census: Year: 1910; Census Place: Mena Ward 3, Polk, Arkansas; Roll: T624_61; Page: 7a; Enumeration District: 0103; FHL microfilm: 1374074 Ancestry Record 7884 #713243
• 1920 United States Federal Census: Year: 1920; Census Place: Texarkana, Miller, Arkansas; Roll: T625_72; Page: 20B; Enumeration District: 70 Ancestry Record 6061 #65334059
• 1930 United States Federal Census: Year: 1930; Census Place: Texarkana, Miller, Arkansas; Page: 29B; Enumeration District: 0012; FHL microfilm: 2339819 Ancestry Record 6224 #86894931
• 1940 United States Federal Census: Year: 1940; Census Place: Texarkana, Miller, Arkansas; Roll: m-t0627-00154; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 46-12 Ancestry Record 2442 #103285832
• Arkansas, Death Certificates, 1914-1969: Arkansas Department of Vital Records; Little Rock, Arkansas; Death Certificates; Year: 1951; Roll: 2 Ancestry Record 61777 #622941
• Kentucky, U.S., Compiled Marriages, 1851-1900: Dodd, Jordan, comp. Kentucky, U.S., Compiled Marriages, 1851-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2001. Original data: Dodd, Jordan, comp. Kentucky Marriages, 1851-1900. See extended description for original data sources listed by county. Ancestry Record 4428 #55792
• Kentucky, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1783-1965: Ancestry.com. Kentucky, U.S., County Marriage Records, 1783-1965 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. Original data: Marriage Records. Kentucky Marriages. Madison County Courthouse, Richmond, Kentucky. Ancestry Record 61372 #1677616
• Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Southern Arkansas: Comprising a Condensed History of the State, a Number of Biographies of Its Distinguished Citizens, a Brief Descriptive History of Each of the Counties Mentioned, and Numerous Biographical Sketches of the Citizens of Such County. United States: Southern Historical Press, 1890. "Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Southern Arkansas." Accessed 18 Sep 2023.
• Newspaper Clipping, The Times, Shreveport, Louisiana, 16 Mar 1951, Fri. - Page 6. "Rites Slated Saturday for Ark. Judge." Accessed 18 Sep 2023.
• Newspaper Clipping, The Mena Weekly Star, Mena, Arkansas, 5 Oct 1911, Thu. - Page 1. "James D. Shaver For Congress." Accessed 18 Sep 2023.
• Newspaper Clipping, Kentucky Advocate, Danville, Kentucky, 19 Dec 1884, Fri. - Page 5. "Marriages." Accessed 18 Sep 2023.
• Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/114736308/james-david-shaver: accessed 18 September 2023), memorial page for Judge James David Shaver (28 Feb 1861–14 Mar 1951), Find A Grave: Memorial #114736308, citing East Memorial Gardens, Texarkana, Miller County, Arkansas, USA; Maintained by KindredWhispers (contributor 46986453).