Texas Legislators: Past & Present

J. Franklin Spears

Full Name: Jacob Franklin Spears
Birth date: October 6, 1899
Death date: May 29, 1946

Terms of Service

Senate, 49th ⁽¹⁾ Legislature
1/9/1945 - 5/29/1946
Democrat
Senate, 48th & 47th Legislatures
1/14/1941 - 1/9/1945
Democrat
Senate, 46th ⁽³⁾ & 45th ⁽²⁾ Legislatures
1/12/1937 - 1/14/1941
Democrat
House, 44th Legislature
1/8/1935 - 1/12/1937
Democrat

(1) Walter Tynan, in special election 7/27/1946, succeeded J. Franklin Spears, died 5/29/1946. Members of the Texas Congress 1836-1845; Members of the Texas Legislature 1846-2004 2005.
(2) 45th Legislature - Oath of Office Administered to Senators-Elect, 1/12/1937, p. 2. Senate Journal .
(3) 46th Legislature - Roll Call of Senators, holdover Senators "who were Members of the Forty-fifth Legislature and whose terms of office continue for the duration of the Forty-sixth Legislature," 1/10/1939, pp. 1-2. Senate Journal .

Biographical Notes and Resources

Selected Newspaper articles

Resolutions and Journal entries

50th Legislature, R.S., SR 18, 1/27/1947, p. 80. Resolutions - Memorial .
World War I and World War II. Spears "also served his country in both World Wars. He served in World War II with great distinction, having received the rank of Lieutenant Colonel." 50th Legislature, R.S., SR 18, 1/27/1947, p. 80. Resolutions - Memorial .

Photographs

Photograph. J. Franklin Spears, State Preservation Board
Photograph. J. Franklin Spears, State Preservation Board
Photograph. J. Franklin Spears, State Preservation Board
Photograph. J. Franklin Spears, State Preservation Board
Photograph. Lt. Col. J. Franklin Spears, State Preservation Board
Photograph. J. Franklin Spears, State Preservation Board

Other Resources

World War II service, Lieutenant Colonel, "Legislature Faces Problem of Absences: Men in Armed Forces Can't Get Leave to Attend Sessions," 1/1/1943. Dallas Morning News .
United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel, 36th Division. Jacob Franklin Spears, born 10/6/1899, died 5/29/1946, burial in Mission Burial Park South, San Antonio, Bexar County. Includes photographs. Find a Grave .
Biographical sketch and portrait, Franklin Scott Spears, Associate Justice, Texas Supreme Court, 1979-1990. Relatives: J. Franklin Spears - father, Franklin Scott Spears - son. Justices of Texas, 1836-1986 (Tarlton Law Library, The University of Texas at Austin) 2004.
Mentioned in preview of 44th Legislature and discussion of legislative turnover, "Texas House Gets 80 New Members," 10/15/1934, p. 14. San Antonio Express .
Pictured in uniform in 47th and 48th Senate composite photo and listed as Lt. Col. J. Franklin Spears. State Preservation Board . State Preservation Board
Memorial, October 1946, p. 410. Texas Bar Journal .
United States Cavalry, World War I; United States Army, Lieutenant Colonel, World War II. "He entered the Army as a National Guard officer in 1940 and was separated in 1944 as a Lieutenant Colonel. At 17 he had enlisted in the U.S. Cavalry, serving during World War I." Memorial, October 1946, p. 410. Texas Bar Journal .
United States Cavalry, United States Army. Photo and salute. With Honor and Gratitude: A Special Thank You to Our Texas Senate Members Who Served Our Country 2017.