Aswell, James B. (James Benjamin), 1869-1931

James Benjamin Aswell, educator and congressman, was the son of Benjamin W. Aswell and Elizabeth A. Lyles. He was educated at Peabody Normal College, the University of Nashville, and the University of Arkansas. He was married twice--to Mary Lee Wright and to Ella Foster--and had two children. Aswell was president of Louisiana Polytechnic Institute (now Louisiana Tech University) from 1900-1904 and the Louisiana State Normal School (now Northwestern State University of Louisiana) from 1908-1911. Between 1904 and 1908 Aswell was Louisiana's State Superintendent of Schools, and in 1911 he ran for governor of Louisiana. Aswell served as a Democrat in the U. S. House of Representatives, 1913-1931, where he was a ranking minority member of the Agriculture Committee. Known as the "dean of the Louisiana delegation," Aswell established Kisatchie National Forest and Fish Hatchery in his district and was the author of drought relief measures. Aswell visited Europe in an official capacity as congressman during World War I and after.

From the description of James B. Aswell family papers, 1892-1959 (bulk 1909-1931). (Louisiana State University). WorldCat record id: 122573821

James B. Aswell was an educator who served as congressman from Louisiana, as well as Louisiana State Superintendent of Schools. He made an unsuccessful bid for governor of Louisiana in 1911.

From the description of James B. Aswell letter, 1925 Aug. 8. (Louisiana State University). WorldCat record id: 70665680