1892 Biography - H. C. Newsom

Hon. H. C. Newsom, farmer, Greensburg, La., whose life has been an active one, and who has by his own industry and intelligent management secured a substantial footing among the citizens of this community, was born in Baton Rouge parish. La., on September 22, 1830, being the sixth of thirteen children. His parents, James and Catherine (Chambers) Newsom, were natives of Georgia and South Carolina respectively. The paternal grandfather, Claiborne Newsom, was a native of Georgia and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The maternal grandfather, Jacob Chambers, was born in Darlington district, S. C., and was also in the Revolutionary war, serving as captain under General Marion. He left his native state and moved to Tennessee when his daughter Catherine was but a little child, remained there a short time and then came on a flatboat down the Tennessee river to the Mississippi river, sailing down that as far as Claiborne county. There he located and remained a short time. He then re-embarked and sailed down the river to Baton Rouge La., locating fourteen miles northeast of that city. He there erected (according to the best authority) the first Methodist church of Louisiana, known as "The Old Salem church," which stood until the Civil war, when it was torn down by Yankee soldiers. James Newsom (father of subject) was a soldier in the War of 1812, and followed farming until his death, which occurred in 1858. He and wife were both members of the Methodist church. Her death occurred in 1885. Their children were named in the order of their births as followed: William (deceased), Claiborne (deceased), Hester A., Wesley C., Joseph D. (has been a Methodist minister for forty-three years), Martha A. (deceased), James A. (deceased), Jacob B., Elam H. (deceased), Margaret R., Susan (deceased) and Frances O. (deceased). H. C. Newsom received a good practical education in the common schools of Louisiana and started out for himself as a farmer. He was married in 1849 to Miss Maria Williams, a native of St. Helena parish, born in 1829, and the eleventh of thirteen children born to Richard Williams and Nancy (Strauther) Williams, natives of Georgia. To Mr. and Mrs. Newsom were born seven children: William (deceased), Henry B., Jane E., Martha A., John W., Margaret C. and James A. (deceased, was a Methodist minister). During the struggle between the North and South, or in 1863, Mr. Newsom enlisted in the confederate service, Company I, Fourth Mississippi cavalry, under Captain Stockdale, and was in the battle of Harrisburg, Miss., and a great many skirmishes. He surrendered on May 13. 1865, at Gainesville, Ala. Previous to the war, or in December, 1856, he had moved to Wilkinson county and after peace was declared he returned to that county, where he remained until November, 1865, when he came to St. Helena parish, La. He has followed planting ever since and has met with good success. He is a strong supporter of churches, schools, etc., and is one of the leading men of the community. He and wife hold membership in the Methodist church and Mr. Newsom has been steward in the same for about twenty-four years. He has been recording steward for about fifteen years and has several times been a delegate to the annual conference. He has lived on his present property since 1865, and has a good farm. In politics he is a democrat and was elected to the state legislature in 1879, under the new constitution and has served in same for twelve years. He is a Royal Arch Mason and is a member of the Farmers' alliance, of which he is president and he is also president of the lodge of St. Helena parish.

Contributed 2021 Nov 04 by Mike Miller, from Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Louisiana, published in 1892, volume 2, pages 273-274.