1892 Biography - John J. Wax

John J. Wax, Baton Rouge, La., was born in the kingdom of Prussia, Germany in 1842, and was brought to America during his childhood by his parents, Jacob and Susan Anna (Conrad) Wax, natives of Germany. His father died of yellow fever in 1847, soon after landing in this country. He received his education in the common schools of New Orleans. In early youth he became an enthusiastic patriot and ran away from home to join the confederate army. He enlisted in Company E, First Louisiana volunteer infantry, April 28, 1861, and before the close of the conflict realized all the horrors of war. He was slightly wounded at Malvern Hill, and in the battle of Gettysburg he lost his leg, after which he was taken prisoner. For eight long, weary months he was held captive, and was then exchanged when he went to Richmond and remained in the hospital there for some time. At the time of the surrender he was in Georgia, and he reached his home September 2, 1865. He was promoted to the position of orderly sergeant after the battle of Chancellorsville, in recognition of the service he rendered in that contest. For two years after the war he was in New Orleans, and then he came to Baton Rouge and engaged in mercantile business. In 1877 he was elected a member of the city council. He is now mayor pro tem., and has served in this capacity many times. In January, 1869, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Rhoda Pino, who is descended from Spanish ancestors. Eleven children were born of this union: Hubert, Joseph, Nicholas, John, Sidney, Mamie, Bessie, Frankie, Anthony, Eugene, and Annie (deceased at the age of nineteen years). The family are members of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Wax is a Knight of Honor, a Knight of Pythias, and has held high official positions in both of these orders. He was president of the Firemen's Charitable association, and was one of the most zealous supporters of the organization. He is a man who fully appreciates the advantages of thorough mental discipline, and has given his children a good education.

Contributed 2021 Nov 04 by Mike Miller, from Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Louisiana, published in 1892, volume 2, page 445.