Centennial Digital Exhibit > Founders of the Law Library

The Harris County Law Library officially opened on October 1, 1915. However, a great deal of work was necessary to secure funding for the new library, build a collection of legal research materials, secure a suitable space, and furnish the space adequately to serve the needs of practicing attorneys. The seven prominent Houston attorneys whose photographs and short biographies appear below incorporated the Lawyers Library Association in 1913 and worked for more than two years to build a library for the growing bench and bar of Harris County, Texas. In testament to their hard work and dedication, the Harris County Law Library will celebrate a century of service to the local legal community on October 1, 2015.

Judge Charles E. Ashe helped incorporate the Lawyers Library Association and was elected the first President of the organization. Judge Ashe remained an active member for many years. Aside from his services in support of the Law Library, Judge Ashe presided over the 11th District Court in Houston from 1900 to 1936, and his service to both the Houston Bar Association and the State Bar of Texas is well-documented. The grandson of President Anson Jones, last president of the Republic of Texas, he was also an active member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas.

Lewis R. Bryan, a signatory to the Lawyers Library Association's application for incorporation, was elected the first Vice-President of the organization. He remained an active member of the Association for many years and served as a board member repeatedly in the Law Library’s early history. In addition to his service to the Association, he served the local and statewide legal communities as president of the Houston Bar Association (1911) and as president of the State Bar of Texas (1902-1903). A talented litigator, Mr. Bryan argued many cases before the Supreme Court of Texas and U.S. Supreme Court. He could also trace his lineage to the Republic of Texas as a nephew of Stephen F. Austin and son of Moses Austin Bryan, a soldier at the Battle of San Jacinto.

R.W. Franklin was an incorporator of the Lawyers Library Association and served as the first Secretary of the organization. Mr. Franklin, in collaboration with Lewis R. Bryan, played an integral part in the Law Library’s acquisition of its original collection. Within the City of Houston, Mr. Franklin was a prominent attorney and counted several large railway and shipping companies among his clients.

James A. Baker assisted with the incorporation of the Lawyers Library Association and was elected the first Treasurer of the organization. Mr. Baker also served as President of the Houston Bar Association. Part of a family of attorneys, his father, Judge James Addison Baker, was an early partner of the law firm Baker Botts, then called Gray, Botts, and Baker. Mr. Baker also became a partner at the firm and added his name, making it Baker, Botts, and Baker. Over the years, Mr. Baker’s surname has remained primary among other named partners of the century-old firm. Mr. Baker's family continues to serve the local legal community, including his grandson, James A. Baker III, who served as the 61st U.S. Secretary of State, is a partner at Baker Botts, and founded Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, and his great-granddaughter, Judge Caroline E. Baker, who presides over the 295th District Court in Harris County, Texas. In his work as an attorney, Mr. Baker is credited with ensuring the establishment of Rice University by saving the bequest of Houston millionaire William Marsh Rice from conspirators in a murder-for-hire plot involving a forged will. For more on the extraordinary life of Mr. Baker, read his recent biography, Captain James A. Baker of Houston, 1857-1941 by Kate Sayen Kirkland, available from the Harris County Public Library.

John C. Williams can also be counted among the original incorporators of the Lawyers Library Association and served as a director of the organization. Mr. Williams was a prominent Houston attorney who represented large oil companies and insurance companies.

Thomas H. Ball helped incorporate the Lawyers Library Association and served as one of the first directors of the organization. A prominent Houston attorney, Mr. Ball partnered with Frank Andrews in 1902 to form the law firm that would later become Andrews Kurth. Through his work as an attorney, Mr. Ball represented several railroad corporations and was instrumental in planning railway routes through Northwest Harris County. In 1907, the citizens of Peck, Texas honored him for locating one route near their town by renaming it Tomball, Texas. Mr. Ball was also a prominent politician. After serving as mayor of Huntsville, Texas, and as a U.S. Representative, he played an integral part in lobbying at the state and federal level for the development of the Houston Ship Channel.

James A. Breeding assisted with the incorporation of the Lawyers Library Association and served on the first board of directors for the organization. Mr. Breeding was a prominent Houston lawyer and served as Justice of the Peace of Harris County Precinct One.

The photographs on this page appear in the Houston Bar Association attorney composite photograph currently on display on the sixth floor of the Harris County 1910 Courthouse. The Harris County Law Library would like to thank the Houston Bar Association and the Harris County Archives for making the above photographs available.