| 1934 |
James Eubert Holshouser, Jr. is born in Boone, NC to Virginia Dayvault Holshouser, a nurse, and James Eubert Holshouser, U. S. District Attorney and a district court judge, on October the 8 th. James is born into a family of what he later describes as “Lincoln Republicans.” His maternal grandfather, however, was a Texas Democrat and was named after Andrew Jackson. His parents were married in 1933. |
| |
|
| 1938 |
The family attends the Presbyterian Church in Blowing Rock until James was five years old when a new Presbyterian church was built in Boone. Holshouser’s family very involved in the church, and everyone in the community pitched in for the new building. James says he remembers bringing water to the builders. |
| |
|
| 1939 |
James attends public schools in Boone, NC. |
| |
|
| 1952 |
Graduates from Appalachian High School, Boone, NC in June. He was Senior Class President, Vice-President of the National Honors Society, played Baseball, was Sports Editor of school newspaper, Senior Editor of Annual, played trombone in All-State band, and the Orchestra and sang in the Chorus. On his bio for entering freshmen at Davidson College, James Holshouser Jr. lists golf, tennis, ping-pong, music and sports writing as his hobbies and interests. |
| |
|
| 1956 |
Graduates from Davidson College, Davidson, NC with a B.S. in History. He was President of his senior class, sports editor of the Davidsonian, sports editor of Quips and Cranks (annual), International Relations club, played trombone in Pep Band, Chapel Choir, varsity baseball, Historians club (Phi Alpha Delta), Phi Delta Theta (social fraternity.) |
| |
|
| 1957 |
Enters UNC-Chapel Hill law school in September. It is during his tenure at UNC that he develops his interest in politics, particularly in the area of judicial reform. He frequently attends sessions of the state legislature while a student at UNC. |
| |
|
| 1960 |
Graduates from UNC-Chapel Hill Law School where he serves as class president.
After graduating from UNC Law School, returns to Boone and joins his fathers law practice (Holshouser and Holshouser) and becomes actively involved in community improvement organizations by serving as county chairman of the Heart Fund, the United Fund Board of Directors, the advisory board of the Regional Mental Health Authority, the board of directors of the Southern Appalachian Historical Association, and the Mountain Scenic Economic Development Commission.
|
| |
|
| 1961 |
Marries Patricia Ann Hollingsworth in the Davis Chapel at Wake Forest College on June 18 th. The bride’s father, a Baptist minister, Dr. Leon H. Hollingsworth, performs the ceremony. Miss Hollingsworth graduated cum laude from Appalachian State University with a B.S. in Home Economics the same year. Her twin sister, Miss Nancy Hollingsworth, was the maid of honor. The bridegroom’s father serves as the best man. They live in Boone, NC. |
| |
|
| 1962 |
Elected chairman of the Watauga County Young Republicans.
Serves as Chairman of the Miss Watauga Pageant.
Elected to the N.C. House of Representatives in a small but growing Republican Party on a platform to expedite application of the new court reform law, reduce taxes and establish an automobile inspection plan. He will go on to serve four terms in the legislature. During his tenure he championed such causes as reorganization of state government, restructuring of higher education, judicial reform and drug abuse legislation.
Serves on Board of Directors of both Davidson College Alumni Association and the UNC Law Alumni Association. |
| |
|
| 1963 |
Elected Secretary of the Republican Joint House-Senate caucus in the Legislature. He fights for court reform.
Daughter, Virginia Walker Holshouser is born on September 27 th. She is named for James’ mother, Virginia Dayvault Holshouser. |
| |
|
| 1964 |
Named Watauga County’s Young Man of the Year, and is re-elected to second term in the House of Representatives.
Lyndon Johnson presidential victory (a landslide) starts a Republican revival in the South. This helps Holshouser’s career in politics and his rise within the Republican Party. |
| |
|
| 1965 |
Elected house Minority Leader by Republicans in Legislature and becomes the highest-ranking republican in the state of NC. He is soon appointed Vice-Chairman of House Judiciary Committee. Appointed to powerful Joint House-Senate Appropriations Sub-Committee. |
| |
|
| 1966 |
Elected to five-year term as State Chairman of the Republican Party. At age 31, he is the youngest chairman-elect in state history. Largest Republican Legislative delegation in history is elected. |
| |
|
| 1967 |
As chairman of the state Republican party, establishes the first full-time G.O.P. executive staff. |
| |
|
| 1968 |
Re-elected State Chairman of the Republican Party. Organizes state campaign for Richard Nixon. Two new Republican Congressmen are elected. The state goes for Republican presidential campaign for first time in 40 years. Re-elected to House of Representatives.
Selected for membership in “Outstanding Young Men of America” in October after nomination by his Alma Mater, Davidson College. Named “Tar Heel of the Week” by the Raleigh News and Observer and serves as member of the Court Study Commission of the State Bar Association.
Becomes NC campaign manager for Richard Nixon's bid for US President.
|
| |
|
| 1969 |
Selected for inclusion in the 1969 editions of “Personalities of the South” and “Who’s Who in the South and Southwest”
As a member of the state legislature, he is re-elected Chairman of the Joint House-Senate Republican Caucus. Leads fight against governor Bob Scott’s (1969-1973) new tobacco, soft drink and gasoline taxes. Re-appointed to Joint Appropriations Sub-committee. |
| |
|
| |
