Judge John W. Wildenthal was born in Cotulla, Texas on November 10, 1922. He attended Southwest Texas State Teacher’s College, and the University of Texas. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas in February, 1944. Following his graduation, Wildenthal served in the US Navy during World War II. After his discharge as a lieutenant, Wildenthal gained his law degree from the University of Texas in 1950. Following his graduation, Senator Lyndon B. Johnson appointed Wildenthal a member of his “Washington Legal staff.” Under Johnson, Wildenthal also served as attorney for the Senate Preparedness Subcommittee. He joined the General Counsel’s office of the Renegotiation Board in 1952. After three years in Washington, Wildenthal returned to Cotulla in 1953 to open a private law practice. John Wildenthal was elected County Attorney of La Salle County in 1958, and appointed Assistant Attorney General of Texas in 1959. He demonstrated his party commitment and loyalty when he became a member of the State Democratic Executive Committee, and managed the Dollars for Democrats campaign in 1959. During the same year, Wildenthal married Ms. Carolyn Harris. They had two children, Jon Mark Wildenthal and Mary Elizabeth Wildenthal.
In 1961, Wildenthal pursued his law practice in Houston, Texas, and became the campaign manager for Louie Welch. Louie Welch ran unsuccessfully for the Mayor of Houston in 1961, but won the same position in 1963. Welch selected Wildenthal as city attorney in 1964. Much of the research included in this collection – saltwater barriers on the Trinity River, bus service, etc. – are projects Wildenthal addressed during his time as Houston City Attorney. Wildenthal worked on projects such as gaining water and sewer lines and service for Acres Homes during his time as Houston City Attorney.
His political career included a run for the Democratic nomination of the Seventh congressional District in 1965. His Democratic opponent was Frank Briscoe, and the Republican opponent was future US President George Bush. Wildenthal also served as Vice President of the Gulf Coast Waste Disposal Authority from 1968 to 1972.
Wildenthal was a trustee and member of Bellaire Christian Church, and a delegate for the Gulf Coast Area Christian Churches and the Texas Council of Churches. He worked with religious projects such as the Texas Conference of Churches and Institute of Religion including his legal contributions to the establishment and dedication of the Rothko Chapel. Judge Wildenthal was a member of the Houston Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, the Bar of the Supreme Court of Texas, and the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States.
From the guide to the Judge John W. Wildenthal Collection MSS 0313., 1959-1982, 1964-1978, (Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library)
