1925 Biography - James T. Shell

James T. Shell has practiced law at Bastrop since 1909, and has combined a very successful law practice with much activity in public affairs. He was twice elected a member of the Legislature and some of the important legislation of recent years is associated with his name, Mr. Shell was born in Jackson Parish, Louisiana, in 1870, son of W. P. and Millie (Hearne) Shell, who were born in Georgia, their respective families being early settlers in Jackson Parish.

James T. Shell was liberally educated in private and boarding schools, and was a teacher for several years. He also had some mercantile experience at Ouachita City and Mer Rouge, La. Shell was admitted to the bar in 1908. On January 1, 1909, he engaged in private practice at Bastrop, the parish seat of Morehouse Parish, and his activities as a lawyer have been continuous since that date.

Mr. Shell was elected a member of the Legislature in 1912, representing Morehouse Parish in the House of Representatives for the four-year term, He was re-elected without opposition in 1916. However, he resigned midway in his second term in 1918. In 1914 Mr. Shell led the prohibition fight in the Legislature, and had charge of the "near beer bill." In 1916, as vice chairman of the ways and means committee, he had charge of the first conservation bill, including the modern provision covering the natural gas industry in Louisiana. He was on a number of other important committees.

Mr. Shell has been a member of the Bastrop School Board since 1914, being elected to that body without opposition. While a lawyer with a very large practice, his time and effort have been bestowed upon educational and other movements for the general advancement of the community. Mr. Shell is a Knight Templar Mason and Shriner, and is chairman of the Board of Stewards of the First Methodist Church. By his marriage to Miss Jessie Matheny he has two children, Mildred and James Thomas, Jr.

Contributed 2021 Nov 04 by Mike Miller, from A History of Louisiana, by Henry E. Chambers, published in 1925, volume 2, page 238.