Iowan To Oklahoman
Chandler had been opened via Land Run on September 28, 1891 and the administrative center of Lincoln County needed leaders in all aspects of municipal government. Seizing the opportunity, Robertson set up teaching and practicing law in the fledgling city. His popularity throughout Lincoln County easily won him the office of county attorney, the chief legal officer of the county. While in Chandler, Robertson met Olive Stubblefield, whom he would marry in 1898. They had two children: Olive Frances and a boy named after his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, James Brooks Ayers Robertson IV (referred to as James Brooks Ayers Robertson Jr.).
Robertson's reputation attracted a wide variety of clients. He became known as one of the most resourceful trial lawyers and legal counselors in the Oklahoma and Indian territories. In 1906, Robertson became a partner in Hoffman and Robertson, a law firm he practiced with for the next two years.
Oklahoma was admitted to the Union as a state in 1907. The first governor of Oklahoma, Charles N. Haskell, recognized Robertson's abilities and named him to the District Court of the Tenth Judicial District of Oklahoma in 1908. The job required Robertson to move from Chandler to Oklahoma City, where he spent the rest of his years.
Before his appointment to the court, Robertson played an active role in the Oklahoma and national Democratic parties. Robertson was one of the most prominent, influential, and courageous Democrats in Oklahoma. He offered to help any Democratic candidate in any way he could. On a trip with Governor Haskell to Denver, Robertson represented the Oklahoma Democratic Party. Robertson zealously supported the Democratic nomination of William Jennings Bryan for the presidency.
Robertson continued to serve as a judge in the Oklahoma judiciary until Governor Haskell, now his friend, did not seek re-election in 1910. Resigning his seat on the court to run for governor, Robertson ultimately withdrew from the Democratic primary to support Lee Cruce, who went on to win the party's nomination and the governorship.
Not satisfied with returning to private life, Robertson ran for Congress. The 1910 Federal Census had resulted in Oklahoma being granted three seats in the United States Congress, tempting him to run in the Democratic primary for his district's seat, but he failed to receive the party’s nomination.
Robertson returned to private law practice in Oklahoma City. However, in 1914, Governor Cruce, like Haskell before him, decided not to run for a second term. Once again, Robertson tried to get the Democratic nomination for governor, but the popular former Chief Justice of Oklahoma Robert L. Williams won it instead.
Robertson’s beloved wife Olive died on June 1, 1914, leaving Robertson to raise their two children.
Read more about this topic: James B. A. Robertson