1892 Biography - J. B. Merritt

J. B. Merritt, Baker, has been a lifelong citizen of East Baton Rouge parish, La., and is a son of Turner and Ann (Bogan) Merritt. The father was born in Boston, Mass., in 1802, and removed to Louisiana in 1830, where he engaged in planting. He reared a family of four children, of whom our subject is the oldest. The mother was the daughter of the late John Bogan, who was prominently connected with the history of the state of Louisiana. She was one of a family of six children. Her death occurred in 1868, and that of her husband in 1882. They were both honored members of the Presbyterian church, though our subject is a Methodist. Young Merritt received a common-school education, and, after the war, engaged in agricultural pursuits on the same plantation which he now occupies. It is known as the "Cottonville plantation," and contains 350 acres. He also owned a steam-gin which was destroyed by fire in 1890, but this he expects to rebuild in the near future. Mr. Merritt was united in marriage in 1873, to Miss Lila Ligon, of Louisiana, and five children were born to them -- one son and four daughters. After the war he began with nothing, but by industry and good management he has accumulated a considerable amount of property. He is now postmaster of Baker, and is agent for the L., N. O. & T. railroad. He has some mercantile interests represented by two stores in which the annual sales amount to $10,000. He is a member of the Highland City lodge, No. 10, Knights of Honor, and takes a deep interest in the success of the fraternity. He is a man of push and enterprise, and it is due to such citizens that the South has so soon recovered from the depression and desolation to which she was reduced by four long years of warfare.

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Contributed 2021 Nov 04 by Mike Miller, from Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Louisiana, published in 1892, volume 2, page 251.

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