Simkins, Eldred James, 1838-1903

Eldred J. Simkins (1838-1903) was a lawyer born in South Carolina who fought in the Civil War, lived on a plantation in Florida, and later in his life became a Texas state senator. He married Eliza Josephine Trescot, whose father, Edward Henry Trescot, was a physician who traveled to California in 1849 in search of gold and settled in Mariposa County, never returning to South Carolina. Eliza and Eldred had five children: Martha, Benjamin B., Joseph Stewart, Frances Earle, and Emma.

From the description of Papers of Eldred J. Simkins, 1842-1977 (bulk 1842-1929). (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 122593747

Native of Edgefield District, S.C., and Texas legislator and judge. Simkins graduated from South Carolina College in 1859. After serving in the Confederate army, he and his brother William Stewart Simkins moved to Monticello, Fla., where they organized the Florida Ku Klux Klan. In 1871, they relocated to Corsicana, Tx., and opened a law practice. Eldred's political career took him to the state senate and a seat on the Court of Criminal Appeals. He played a prominent role in establishing the University of Texas and the Texas Railroad Commission. Simkins married Eliza Josephine Trescot, whose father, Edward Henry Trescot, was a physician who traveled to California in 1849 in search of gold and settled in Mariposa County, Calif., never returning to South Carolina. Eliza and Eldred had five children: Martha, Benjamin B., Joseph Stewart, Frances Earle, and Emma.

Simkins' middle name sometimes appears as Joseph; birth date sometimes listed as 1839 (based on entry in Handbook of Texas, which appears to be in error)

From the description of Eldred James Simkins college notebook, ca. 1857-1859. (University of South Carolina). WorldCat record id: 271280779