James R. Armstrong

James R. Armstrong
Justice of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals
In office
1910–1920
Preceded byPosition established
Judge for the 6th Judicial District of Oklahoma
In office
1910–1910
Personal details
BornJackson County, Alabama
Political partyDemocratic Party
EducationOuachita Baptist College
Southern Normal University
Southwestern University

James R. Armstrong (January 1876 – November 25, 1956)[1] was an American judge who served on the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals between 1910 and 1920.

Biography

James R. Armstrong was born in Jackson County, Alabama and attended Ouachita Baptist College, Southern Normal University, and Southwestern University. He was admitted to the Tennessee bar in 1901 and moved to Hugo, Oklahoma (then-Indian Territory) in 1904. He supported the admission of one state instead of two during statehood talks. He was appointed to the Sixth Judicial District covering Choctaw County in 1910 and later that year was elected to the first Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. He served on the court until 1920.[2]

After retirement, he served as the vice president of Middle States Oil Corporation and president of the Columbia Petroleum Corporation. In the 1920s he was an adviser to Governor Henry S. Johnston. He was Baptist, a Freemason, member of the Elks Club, and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He married Bertha Scott Armstrong and they had two children: William Jefferson Armstrong and Jasper Armstrong.[2] Armstrong died in Oceanside, California, at the age of 80, from injuries received in an automobile accident there two weeks before his death.[1]

Electoral history

1910 Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals Eastern District election[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James R. Armstrong 117,409 55.6%
Republican Thos. C. Humphrey 93,601 44.3%
Democratic gain from

References

  1. ^ a b Otis Sullivant, "Statehood Leader Dies in California", The Daily Oklahoman (November 27, 1956), p. 12.
  2. ^ a b "Armstrong, James R." okcca.net. Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  3. ^ "1907-1912 Results" (PDF). oklahoma.gov. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved 23 September 2023.