James V. Allred began his career from this courthouse and, as a lawyer with the firm of O'Neal and Martin, won election as district attorney in 1923 and as Attorney General of Texas in 1931. Governor from 1935 to 1939, he corrected many social and economic ills and ushered in an era of better government for the state. In his last years, he was a federal judge. He is remembered for his crusading liberalism and his personal integrity. He married Joe Betsy Miller, and they had three sons.