NEWTON, JAMES OSCAR (1875-1942). James Oscar Newton, Texas adjutant general, was born near Milano in Milam County, Texas, on October 16, 1875, the oldest of fourteen children of James Benjamin and Ophelia Jane (Evard) Newton. He attended public school at Milano and the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (now Texas A&M University). He became a second lieutenant in Company I, Third Texas Infantry, in 1893 and advanced through the ranks of the state militia to lieutenant colonel of the Second Infantry in 1903. He served as lieutenant colonel until January 23, 1907, when he was appointed Texas adjutant general with the rank of brigadier general. He organized the Tom Campbell Rifles of Milano and during his term as adjutant established rifle ranges over the state and had Texas National Guard^qv teams compete in the national rifle matches. He retired from office on December 15, 1910.

Newton married Annie Rumpel of Austin in 1908. They had three sons. Newton taught school, was assistant postal clerk of the Twenty-sixth Texas Legislature, was deputy tax collector of Milam County, and was a merchant at Milano. He was also director of banks at Milano, Gause, Thorndale, and Rockdale and with his sons was owner of the firm of Scarborough and Hicks at Rockdale. He died at Rockdale on January 31, 1942.