James F. Hinkle Chaves County, New Mexico

The name of James F. Hinkle is deeply engraved on the pages of Chaves County's history, for he has been an active factor in administering the affairs of government, and is widely recognized as a Democratic leader. He is a native of Missouri. He came to New Mexico from Texas in 1885 and established the Penasco Cattle Company, with which he was connected until 1891. This county was then known as Lincoln, and he maintained his headquarters sixty-five miles from Roswell. He had about twenty-five thousand cattle on the range, and his was one of the largest cattle ranches in the Territory, but in 1901 he disposed of his interests and took up his abode in Roswell. In the following year, 1902, he became associated with J. J. Hagerman, with whom he has since been connected.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Hinkle is a member of the Masonic order, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree, and is a member of all its branches, and also holds membership relations with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 169, of which he is the exalted ruler. His political support is given to the Democratic Party, and on its ticket he was elected to the legislature in 1892, and again in 1895, to the territorial council in 1901, and as mayor of Roswell in April, 1904, two-year term. He is also a director of the First National Bank of Roswell.

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Source: History of New Mexico, Its Resources and People, Volume II, Pacific States Publishing Co., 1907.