Descriptive Summary
Pickle, J.J. "Jake"
Pickle, J.J "Jake"
circa 1910's-2010
The J.J. "Jake" Pickle Papers consist of documents comprising his career
and personal life as a prominent politican in Texas.
Materials are in English.
8 feet
Dolph Briscoe Center For AmericanHistory, The University of Texas at Austin
Biographical Note
James Jarrell “Jake” Pickle represented the Texas 10th District for 30 years in the House of Representatives from 1963 to 1993. Pickle was born in Roscoe, Texas on October 11, 1913 to Joseph Binford Pickle and Mary Theresa Duke, and had five siblings. He grew up in Big Spring, Texas, and was an active Eagle Scout. In 1932 Pickle moved to Austin to attend The University of Texas. He was elected Student Body President as a senior in 1937, and began to consider politics as a career path. After graduation, he went to work for the National Youth Administration, where he met Lyndon B. Johnson, who would become his political mentor. Pickle married Ella Nora “Sugar” Critz in 1942. Shortly after, he was commissioned by the United States Navy. Pickle served on gunboats in the Pacific War for the next four years and was discharged as a senior lieutenant.
Upon his return to Austin in 1945 Pickle co-founded a local radio station, KVET, with seven other World War II veterans. Sugar and Pickle’s daughter, Peggy, was born in 1946. In 1949, Pickle left KVET to co-establish the public relations and advertising firm of Syers-Pickle and Winn. Through his work conducting smear campaigns at Syers-Pickle and Winn, Pickle became embroiled in the Texas political scene.
During the 1950s and early 1960s, Pickle participated in or managed the political campaigns of several state and national officials, including Meade Griffin, Lyndon Johnson, Price Daniel, Allen Shivers, and John Connally. Throughout the 1950s Pickle served on the State Democratic Executive Committee. In 1960, Texas Governor Price Daniel appointed Pickle to serve on the Texas Employment Commission. That same year, eight years after he lost his first wife to breast cancer, Pickle married Beryl Bolton McCarroll, a widow with two teenage sons.
In 1963 Pickle campaigned for the Texas 10th District Congressional seat and won. Pickle was elected to the House of Representatives in November and sworn into office on Christmas Eve. Pickle represented the Texas 10th District for the next 30 years until his retirement in 1993. A Southern Democrat in Congress in the 1960s and 70s, Pickle voted on the major legislative and social reforms of Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society. Pickle was one of only six Southern Congressmen to vote for the 1964 Civil Rights Bill, and recalled it as the vote of which he was most proud. Other significant legislation that he supported includes the Social Security Reform Bill of 1983, and the Pension Reform Act of 1994. Pickle worked hard to protect The University of Texas at Austin by making sure “his university” received favorable tax legislation. While in Congress, Pickle served on the Social Security Subcommittee and the powerful Ways and Means Committee. During his tenure Pickle formed close, working relationships with Presidents (Johnson, Nixon, Carter, and Clinton) and other Congressmen and politicians, and was a respected veteran legislator.
In 1993, at age 80, Pickle retired from Congress but continued to exercise his political spirit. Pickle served on the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Bergstrom and dozens of other projects. Pickle and his daughter Peggy co-authored an autobiography titled Jake, published in 1997. Pickle’s philanthropy can be seen in many Texas and Austin institutions and buildings that bear his name. In 1991, Pickle was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer, and in 2001 he developed Lymphoma and began chemotherapy treatment. In 2002, Pickle and his wife Beryl moved into a Central Austin assisted living home called Westminster Manor, where he and his daughter Peggy hosted his 90th birthday party in 2003. Pickle died in 2005 at age 92.
Sources
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Biographical note for larger J.J. “Jake” Pickle collection finding aid at Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
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Austin American Statesman obituary for J.J. “Jake” Pickle
Scope and Contents
Correspondence, photographs, newspaper clippings, financial documents, scrapbooks, artifacts, and awards and honors document the personal and professional life of Congressman JJ “Jake” Pickle, depicting his activities from his early years in Big Spring, Texas, through his time in serving in Congress and his eventual retirement and death, 1913-2010. The material is arranged into four series: Personal, Professional, Photographs, and Scrapbooks. The bulk of the collection dates between 1963 and 1993.
The materials in this collection were held by Pickle’s daughter Peggy before donation. She has attached written descriptions to a number of letters, photographs and newspaper clippings and also included items collected after Pickle’s death such as an invitation to Lady Bird Johnson’s funeral and a publication from the retirement home Pickle resided in prior to his death, which includes a piece on Pickle.
Most of the Professional series encompasses Pickle’s congressional career, the majority being correspondence, newspaper clippings, and campaign materials. The bulk of the newspaper clippings concern Pickle’s congressional campaigns. Notable correspondents include John Connally, Vice President Hubert Humphrey, and President Bill Clinton. Of particular interest is a letter from Clinton thanking Pickle for his support of the Social Security Reform Act of 1994. Apart from his congressional activities, the Professional series includes correspondence and official records from his other professional activities. Included here are service records from the U.S. Navy, financial records from Syers-Pickle and Winn, brochures from the Lion’s Club and KVET, and newspaper clippings regarding the Gary Job Corps.
Another significant portion of the Professional series consists of letters, photographs, and published materials, highlighting the close personal and professional relationship between President Lyndon B. Johnson and Pickle. Among the correspondence between Pickle and Johnson is a long letter celebrating the success of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In addition, there is significant documentation of the LBJ Memorial Grove Project.
The Personal series includes correspondence, financial records, newspaper clippings, honors and awards and published materials relating to Pickle’s childhood, college career, and family. The materials illuminate Pickle’s relationships with various family members, including his first and second wives and daughter, Peggy. Newspaper clippings and letters demonstrate his interest in family history. Pickle’s personal correspondence includes letters from Lady Bird Johnson and Price Daniel as well as members of Pickle’s immediate and extended family. The series also contains extensive documentation of the writing and publication of Pickle’s autobiography Jake written with his daughter Peggy, including fan mail, notes from contributors including Dan Rather, and publicity materials.
The Photography and Scrapbooks series encompasses materials from Pickle’s professional and personal life. The photos cover much of the same subject matter as the Personal and Professional series. Of the eleven scrapbooks included in this collection, four document Pickle’s relationship with the Johnson family through photos and letters. An entire album of photographs is devoted to Lyndon B. Johnson’s funeral, which also holds copies of the eulogy Pickle gave. The other scrapbooks detail Pickle’s career in Congress and service with the Lion’s Club as well as various dinners, campaign events and award ceremonies.
Arrangement
The papers are arranged into four series which are further divided into multiple subseries. The contents are largely arranged chronologically as well as alphabetically.
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1. Personal
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2. Professional
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3. Photographs
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4. Scrapbooks
Access Restrictions
No restrictions
Use Restrictions
No restrictions
Preferred Citation
J.J. "Jake" Pickle Papers, 1910's-2010, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.
Index Terms
Subjects (Persons)
Pickle, J. J. -- Archives.
Pickle, Peggy, 1946-.
Pickle, Joe, 1910.
Johnson, Lyndon B. (Lyndon Baines), 1908-1973.
Johnson, Lady Bird, 1912-2007.
Subjects (Organizations)
United States. Congress. House.
United States. Navy.
University of Texas Press.
University of Texas at Austin. School of Law.
United States. National Youth Administration in Texas.
Subjects
Legislators -- United States.
Politics, Practical -- Texas.
Places
Texas -- Politics and government -- 1951-.
Big Spring (Tex.)
Roscoe (Tex.)
Stonewall County (Tex.)
The J.J. "Jake" Pickle papers were collected by J.J. Pickle during the course of his congressional career. The papers were held by Peggy Pickle before being donated to the BCAH.
Peggy Pickle. Acession date March 11, 2011. Acession number 2011-059
Processed by Jessica Gauthier, Emily Perkins, Eliot Scott, and Melissa Wopschall
Detailed Description of the Papers
2011-59/1
Personal
1932-2010
2011-59/1
Biographical Information
1932-2010
2011-59/1
Birth Certificate Photocopy
1942
2011-59/1
University of Texas
1934-1937
2011-59/1
Little Campus Dorm Preservation
1977
2011-59/1
Newspapers
1951,1981
2011-59/1
Personal Finances
1958-1991
2011-59/1
General
1958-1980
2011-59/1
Decker Lake Property Materials
1965-1977
2 folders
2011-59/1
Landa Oil Company Stock and Investment Information
1960-1972
2011-59/1
Lydon B. Johnson chair replica purchase
1977
2011-59/1
Stock and Investment Information
1966-1980
2011-59/1
Warwick Hotel Bills
1991
2011-59/1
Published Materials about Pickle, Pre-Retirement
1932-1993
2011-59/1
Retirement
1993-2010
2011-59/1
General
1994-2001
2011-59/1
Published Material about Pickle, After Retirement
1994-2010
2011-59/1
80th Birthday
1993
2011-59/1
90th Birthday
2003
2011-59/1
Death and Funeral
2005
2001-59/1
Funeral
2005
2011-59/1
Condolence Letters from Elected Officials
2005
2011-59/2
Correspondence
1954-1993
2011-59/2
General Correspondence
1954-1993
2011-59/2
Family Correspondence
1971-1972
2011-59/2
Family Correspondence
1975-1976
2011-59/2
Family Correspondence
1980
2011-59/2
First Day Covers-Stamps-Postal Service
1963-1978
2011-59/2
Personal Correspondence
1975-1976
2011-59/2
Family
1952-2011
2011-59/2
Around the Rim by Joe Pickle
1954-1961
2011-59/2
Beryl Pickle
1968, 1973
2011-59/2
Family Tree Research Inquiries
1969-1973
2011-59/2
Peggy Pickle
1977-2011
2011-59/2
Printed Materials about Pickle Family Members
1953-2005
2011-59/2
Sugar Critz Pickle
1952, 1985
2011-59/2
Jake
1995-1998
2011-59/2
Legal and Financial Documents
1995-1997
2011-59/2
Contract
1995-1997
2011-59/2
Financial
1996-1997
2011-59/2
Photo Permissions
1996-1997
2011-59/2
Notes, Drafts, and Correspondences
1995-1997
2011-59/2
Dedications and Drafts of Correspondence
1995-1996
2011-59/2
Photocopies of Illustrations for Book
1996
2011-59/2
UT Press Correspondence
1996-1997
2011-59/2
Publicity
1997-1998
(Video tape removed)
2011-59/2
General
1997-1998
2011-59/2
Articles and Reviews
1997-1998
2011-59/2
Book Signings
1997-2001
2011-59/2
Publicity Correspondence
1996-1997
2011-59/2
Temple Speech
1997
2011-59/2
Texas Book Festival
1997
2011-59/2
UT Press Dinner
1997
2011-59/2
UT Press Publication Packet
1997
2011-59/2
Fan Mail
1997-1998
2011-59/2
Honors and Awards
1965-2002
2011-59/2
General Honors and Awards
1965-1987
2011-59/2
General Honors and Awards
1993-2002
2011-59/2
Roscoe Pickle Day
1995
2011-59/3
Professional
1941-1995
2011-59/3
US Congress
1952-1995
2011-59/3
Campaign Materials
1963-1994
(Artifacts removed to Artifact Collection)
2011-59/3
Printed Materials
1963-1994
2011-59/3
Printed Materials
1968
2011-59/3
Certificates of Election
1963, 1974, 1976, 1982
2011-59/3
Correspondence
1963-1995
2011-59/3
Professional Correspondence
1965-1969
2011-59/3
Professional Correspondence
1970-1979
2011-59/3
Professional Correspondence
1980-1989
2011-59/3
Professional Correspondence
1991-1995
2011-59/3
Notes and Memos
1970-1983, undated
2011-59/3
Published Material
1963-1994
2011-59/3
Newspapers
1963-1994
2011-59/3
Newspapers
1963-1970
2011-59/3
Newspapers
1980-1989
2011-59/3
Newspapers
1990-1994
2011-59/3
Magazines
1964-1990
2011-59/3
Magazines
1964-1976
2011-59/3
Magazines
1979-1990
2011-59/3
Newsletters and Press Releases
1967-1981, undated
2011-59/3
Cartoons and Caricatures
undated
2011-59/3
Materials Relating to Lyndon B. Johnson
1952-1985
2011-59/3
Correspondence
1952-1972
2011-59/3
Published Materials Concerning Lyndon B. Johnson
1963-1999
2011-59/3
General
1969-1985
2011-59/3
Newspapers
1963-1999
2011-59/3
LBJ Memorial Grove
1977
2011-59/3
Other Professional Activities/Groups
1941-1971
2011-59/3
Correspondence
1952-1961
2011-59/3
Gary Job Corps
1965-1971
2011-59/3
Lion's Club/KVET
1941, 1953
2011-59/3
Navy Service
1942-1956
2 folders
2011-59/3
Syers-Pickle and Winn Firm
1947-1960
2011-59/4
Photographs
circa 1910's-2005
2011-59/4
Personal
circa 1910's-2005
2011-59/4
General
circa 1914-1998, undated
2011-59/4
Biographical Information
1925-circa 2000's, undated
2011-59/4
Big Spring
1925-1970
2011-59/4
University of Texas
circa 1930s-circa 2000s
2011-59/4
National Youth Administration
1939, 1940
2011-59/4
Retirement
1995, undated
2011-59/4
Family
circa 1910's-2001
2 folders
2011-59/4
Jake
1996-1997
2011-59/4
Honors and Awards
1977, 1996, undated
2011-59/5
Professional
1963-1997, undated
2011-59/5
General
1960 -1997, undated
3 folders
2011-59/5
Amtrak
1977, undated
2011-59/5
Bangkok
undated
2011-59/5
Campaign Materials
1963-1965, undated
2011-59/5
Groundbreakings and Dedications
undated
2011-59/5
Group Photographs
1977, 1984, undated
2011-59/5
Headshots
undated
2011-59/5
Material Relating to Lyndon B. Johnson
1964-1973, undated
2011-59/5
Other Professional Activities/Groups
1942 -1997, undated
2011-59/5
General
1956 -1959, undated
2011-59/5
Materials from Navy Service
1942 -1997, undated
2011-59/5
General
1960 -1996, undated
3 folders
2011-59/6
Scrapbooks (small)
1944-1995, undated
2011-59/6
Professional
1944-1988, undated
2011-59/6
General
1944-1988, undated
2011-59/6
JJ Pickle and Others Miscellaneous Pictures and Letters 1944 to June 1973
1944-1973
2011-59/6
Album of photos with political figures, Navy memorabilia, and article of honorary Doctorate
1980, 1983, undated
2011-59/6
25th Anniversary of Election and Wedding Party
1988
2011-59/6
Unknown Black Album
undated
2011-59/6
Material Relating to Lyndon B. Johnson
1964-1975
2011-59/6
President and Mrs Johnson M/M Pickle and Others, March 1964 to June 1972
1964-1972
2011-59/6
President and Mrs. Johnson M/M Pickle and Others, Miscellaneous Pictures and Letters June 1971 to January 1975
1971-1975
2011-59/6
Other Professional Activities/Groups
1995
2011-59/6
Materials relating to Lion’s Club
1995
2011-59/6
Welcome Home Jake
1995
2011-59/7
Scrapbooks (large)
1944-1988, undated
2011-59/7
Personal
1987-1988
2011-59/7
Honors and Awards
1987-1988
2011-59/7
Austin Board of Realtors Most Worthy Citizen 1987: Congressman J.J. Jake Pickle
1987-1988
2011-59/7
Professional
1952-1975
2011-59/7
Material Relating to Lyndon B. Johnson
1967-1975
2011-59/7
President and Mrs Johnson M/M Pickle and Others, Miscellaneous Pictures and Letters 1967-May 22, 1971
1967-1971
2011-59/7
Funeral Services for President Lyndon Baines Johnson, Pictures Taken in Washington, D.C. and Stonewall, Texas
1973
2011-59/7
Other Professional Activities/Groups
1952-1960
2011-59/7
Materials relating to Lion’s Club
1952-1960
2011-59/7
Lion's Club: Jake J Pickle President 1952-1953
1952-1960
2011-59/8
Oversized Materials
1931-1984, undated
2011-59/8
Personal
1969
2011-59/8
Honors and Awards
1969
2011-59/8
General
1969
2011-59/8
Professional
1969, undated
2011-59/8
Cartoons and Caricatures
undated
2011-59/8
NASA
1969, undated
2011-59/8
Photographs
1931-1984, undated
2011-59/8
Personal
1931
2011-59/8
Bigraphical Information
1931
2011-59/8
University of Texas
1931
2011-59/8
Professional
circa 1965-1984, undated
2011-59/8
General
1967, undated
2011-59/8
Group Photographs
1984, undated
2011-59/8
Headshots
undated
2011-59/8
Materials Relating to Lyndon B. Johnson
circa 1965, 1970, undated
2011-59/8
Other Professional Activities/Groups
undated
2011-59/8
Navy Service
undated
2011-59/9
Video Tape
1997
2011-59/9
Personal
1997
2011-59/9
Jake
1997
2011-59/9
Publicity
1997
2011-59/10
Audio Cassette
undated
2011-59/10
Personal
undated
2011-59/10
Biographical Information
undated
2011-59/10
Death and Funeral
undated