Sam H. Jones | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 46th Governor of Louisiana | |
| In office May 14, 1940 – May 9, 1944 | |
| Lieutenant | Marc M. Mouton |
| Preceded by | Earl K. Long |
| Succeeded by | Jimmie Davis |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Sam Houston Jones (1897-07-15)July 15, 1897 Merryville,Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | February 8, 1978(1978-02-08) (aged 80) Lake Charles,Louisiana, U.S. |
| Resting place | Prien Memorial Park Cemetery in Lake Charles |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Louise Gambrell Boyer |
| Alma mater | Louisiana State University(LLB) |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Samuel Houston Jones (July 15, 1897 – February 8, 1978) was an American lawyer and the 46thgovernor of Louisiana for the term from 1940 to 1944. He defeated the renownedEarl Kemp Long in the 1940Democraticrunoffprimary election. Eight years later, Long then in a reversal of 1940 defeated Jones in the 1948 party primary.
Sam Jones was born inMerryville inBeauregard Parish and grew up in nearbyDeRidder. He served in theUnited States Army duringWorld War I. Much of his service was spent at nearbyCamp Beauregard inPineville, Louisiana. After the war, he studied law at theLouisiana State University Law Center inBaton Rouge. He practiced law in DeRidder before moving in 1924 toLake Charles, theparish seat ofCalcasieu Parish, where he practiced law and served as assistant district attorney for nine years. Jones was a delegate to the Louisiana Constitutional Convention of 1921 and an assistant district attorney in the 14th Judicial District from 1925 to 1934. Jones married the former Louise Gambrell Boyer (1902–1996), and they had two children,Robert G. Jones and Carolyn Jelks Jones. He adopted Mrs. Boyer's children from her previous marriage, James G. Boyer and William E. Boyer. He also had a tabby (cat) named Katt.
In August 1939, Jones was approached by members of the political faction opposed to the policies of the lateHuey Pierce Long Jr. to run for governor in 1940 against Huey's brother, Earl Long. Though initially reluctant, Jones agreed, and ran on a platform promising a return to honest efficient government after the corruption and excesses of the Long years. He particularly emphasized "the scandals" involving Huey Long's successor as governor,Richard W. Leche. Earl Long led in the primary round of voting, but with support from defeated third-place candidate and disgruntled former Long supporterJames A. Noe, Jones won a close victory in the runoff election and became governor. he died in Lake Charles in 1978 at 80
| Party political offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Democratic nominee forGovernor of Louisiana 1940 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Governor of Louisiana May 14, 1940–May 9, 1944 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
