The Handbook of Texas Online: & A History of Texas and Texans. Charles D.Mims (1860-1923),Texas Sec. of State,lawyer,politician,son of Wm D. and Sarah B. Hudspeth Mims, was born in Monticello,Ark. Jan 15,1860. Shortly after his birth the family moved to Tyler,Tex where his father was editor of the Tyler Reporter. Mims had a meager education,yet at age 14 he began to read law with Thomas Jefferson Jennings. In 1881 he was chairman of the Jim Hogg Club in Tyler; After his admission to the bar in 1887 he began law practice in Tyler. He was elected city attorney by 1889 and served for 2 years before returning to private practice. In 1893 he moved to Beesville,where he took active interest in politics. Seven yrs later his wife's health problems necessitated a move to Nacogdoches,where he was active in the Good Roads Movement. He became county judge in 1907 and served for 2 years. In Oct,1909 he moved west to Merkel,where he became towns first mayor in 1910. In 1907 he was elected chairman of Democratic executive committee. He was appointed by Gov. Wm P.Hobby as Secretary of State, a post he helf from 1920-1921. Mims reflected the shifting attitudes of Texas Democrats in early 1920's in pleading for greater restraint in regulating corporations. In 1921 he moved to Houston to practice law. He died there Mar 11,1923, in an elevator accident. Both the Tecxas House of Rep and Senate passed resolutions honoring his leadership and contributions to Texas. Mims, a Methodist, was survived by 4 children & wife. Jeanne