James A. Baker Jr.

James A. Baker Jr.
Born (1892-11-03)November 3, 1892
Died May 21, 1973(1973-05-21) (aged 80)
Education Hill School, Princeton University, University of Texas Law School
Occupation Attorney and developer
Known for Baker Botts
Notable work Broadacres subdivision, Houston, Texas
Spouse(s) Bonner Means (m. 4 August 1917)
Children James Addison Baker III
Bonner Means Baker
Parent(s) James A. Baker
Alice Graham Baker
Military career
Allegiance Allied Powers
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service 1918–1919
Rank Captain
Unit 359th Infantry Division
Battles/wars World War I: St. Mihiel, Verdun

James Addison Baker Jr. (3 November 1892 – 21 May 1973) was an American attorney,[1] banker, and real estate developer in Houston, Texas. He was the third in a succession of men named James Addison Baker, all of whom were attorneys for Baker Botts or its antecendents.[2][3] His son is James Addison Baker III, former President's Chief of Staff and former cabinet secretary.[3]

Early life

James A. Baker Jr. was born on 3 November 1892 to Captain James A. Baker and Alice Graham Baker in Houston, Texas.[4] In 1911, Baker graduated from The Hill School, and enrolled at Princeton University in the fall.[5]

Career

Esplanade of the Broadacres subdivision, Houston
Portrayal of Battle of St. Mihiel

Baker interrupted his law classes at the University of Texas to volunteer for World War I. He reported to Quartermaster School in San Antonio commissioned as a lieutenant, and began his tour with the 359th Infantry Division on the western front in July 1918. His company fought from the trenches during the Battle of Saint-Mihiel in the fall.[6] After a two week break from the front, his division took over for the 5th Division and endured the trenches for seventy-five days straight. He was the only officer in his unit to survive without being wounded, and he was promoted to Captain while being cited for valor. He joined the occupation forces in Germany after the cessation of hostilities. The Army ordered him discharged and he reached American soil on 4 April 1919.[7]

Baker and his father developed Broadacres, an exclusive subdivision sited north of Rice University. At its conception in 1922–1923, this tract was surrounded by non-commercial uses. In addition to the university, Hermann Park, the land for the future Museum of Fine Arts were in proximity. Two other wealthy subdivisions, Southampton and Shadyside, buffered Broadacres from commercial development. The Bakers sold seventeen large lots to investors who also advanced $150,000 to the development for capital improvements. Baker took over the management of the subdivision, while Herbert A. Kipp platted and engineered the twenty-five lot site. Rice architect William Ward Watkin laid out the landscaping and designed a new Spanish-Mediterranean home for Captain Baker. When the infrastructure for Broadacres was completed by 24 September 1924, Baker announced that the assessments to lot owners would be reduced because the final bills came in below estimated costs. Though his parents resided at Broadacres, Baker developed a lot in a neighboring subdivision on Poor Farm Road in 1926.[8]

Personal life

Baker married Bonner Means on 4 August 1917. The two met while they were attending the University of Texas and they engaged on 9 May 1917. As Baker anticipated his military orders, the couple accelerated their wedding schedule and scaled down the event. After the marriage, they honeymooned at Mackinac Island, Michigan.[9] From 1927, the Bakers resided at their house on the curve on Poor Farm Road (Bissonnet Street) in the Turner Addition. Their neighbors included relatives and friends: Browne and Adelaide Lovett Baker, Malcolm Lovett, and William Kirkland. The Bakers lived at this address for the rest of their married lives.[10]

His father, also named James Addison Baker, was a partner of Baker, Botts and Baker and other antecedent of Baker Botts. James Addison Baker Jr. became a partner after ten years with the firm. Today, the law firm is called Baker Botts, a major United States-based international law firm of around 800 attorneys.

His son, James A. Baker III, is the political figure especially known from the Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush administrations.

References

  1. ↑ "Guide to the Baker Family papers, 1853-1971 MS 040". Texas Archival Resources Online. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  2. ↑ Lipartito, Kenneth J.; Pratt, Joseph A. (1991). Baker & Botts in the Development of Modern Houston. Austin: University of Texas Press. pp. 2–3. ISBN 0-292-70782-7.
  3. 1 2 Gwynne, S. C. (December 2003). "James Baker Forever". Texas Monthly. Missing or empty |url= (help); |access-date= requires |url= (help) Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  4. ↑ Kirkland, Kate Sayan (2012). Captain James A. Baker of Houston, 1857–1941. Austin: University of Texas Press. p. 62. ISBN 978-1-60344-800-0.
  5. ↑ Kirkland (2012), p. 217.
  6. ↑ Kirkland (2012), pp.257–259.
  7. ↑ Kirkland (2012), pp. 261–262.
  8. ↑ Kirkland (2012), pp. 297–299.
  9. ↑ Kirkland (2012), pp. 257-258.
  10. ↑ Kirkland (2012), p. 299.
  • "Guide to the Baker Family papers, 1853-1971 MS 040". Texas Archival Resources Online. Woodson Research Center, Rice University. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.