The Bastrop (La.) "Daily Enterprise", Wednesday, March 31, 1976
(Editor's Note -- In connection with Senior Citizens Day set for May 8, we are printing articles about various senior citizens in our parish who still lead active lives, contributing to the civic, religious and industrial life of the community. The first is about Marvin Trousdale Limerick, Oak Ridge's Senior Citizen.)
Marvin Limerick was the youngest of six children born to James Henry Limerick and the former Martha Bentley. He was born in Oak Ridge on Feb. 28, 1885.; His father, James Henry, migrated to Oak Ridge in 1867 after the Civil War and was at that time 22 years old. He came to the community to put in a gin on Colonel Gardner's place. It was during an overflow and the boat was landed at the head of Lake LaFourche. He had to walk many miles overland at the Gardner place. Later he went to Monroe where he became employed by the Illinois Central Railroad as a bridge foreman while the railroad between Monroe and Shreveport was under construction. While there he met a Miss Martha Bentley who was living with a relative, Mrs. Trousdale. Romance bloomed into marriage between Mr. Limerick and Miss Bentley.
The Limericks had returned to Oak Ridge and were residing in the MacIntosh house when "Mr. Marvin" was born. Mr. Marvin recalls from his eighth to his thirteenth year the family lived in New Iberia where his father was employed as a machinist by a sugar mill. He recalls that the move to South Louisiana was made by train and the family had to travel to Mer Rouge to board the train for the trip. In 1899, Barham and West Co., employed his father to build and run a sawmill in Oak Ridge. Mr. Marvin told an Enterprise reporter that he had worked many a day for fifty cents a day.
On reaching manhood he courted and won as his bride, Miss Minnie Irma Baker. They were married Sept. 8, 1908 in the Episcopal Church in Oak Ridge. He built a spacious, comfortable home in 1911 and they had two children, David B. Limerick and Mildred Limerick Loughridge. In January 1913, Mr. Limerick moved to Shaw, Miss, where he was employed. The stay was a short one as the town with its' board sidewalks was not to his liking. They returned to Oak Ridge in July of the same year where he has remained to the present time.
Mr. Marvin said he grew tired of "working for the other fellow" and in 1914, he went into business for himself. He rented a building which was soon sold. In 1917 he built a store building on a lot he rented from Emmett Mott for $100 a year. He was employed as an overseer in 1925 to run the Morehouse Planting Co. Finding that he liked the life of a farmer, he sold his store to Will Carroll. The same year, he leased a farm to work and decided to buy it in 1927. That was just before the big flood and overflow.
At the age of 91, Mr. Marvin still runs his farm of 900 acres. He has about 200 head of cattle and then farms about 200 acres of soybeans and cotton. He goes every day to his farm land when weather permits.
The Limericks became leaders in the community and opened their home to school teachers when no suitable quarters were available. He said at times, he gave up his bedroom to the teachers when it was needed until places were made available. When his wife's sister died in 1921 leaving three small children, the Limericks took them and raised them as their own. These children were Eileen Gibson Henry, Steve Martin Gibson and Irma Jane Gibson Files. Mr. Marvin's father, on his retirement, came to live with him and he lived to be 90 years old. His mother-in-law, Mrs. Baker, also spent her last years as an honored guest in his home.
Speaking about his farming, Mr. Marvin said that his cattle have pulled him through many a tight spot. Although he has seen many changes in Oak Ridge and Morehouse parish, he goes along with progress and the present. His keen mind can recall
many things that occurred to bring about the progress of the community. Every day, Mr. Marvin takes a long walk and visits his friends and relatives. On his 91st birthday recently he was honored by family and friends. He is truly a "citizen" although the classification "senior" is hardly necessary.
Article transcribed from The Bastrop (La.) "Daily Enterprise" by Jane Limerick Monroe. Mr. Marvin T. Limerick was my granduncle. He died Oct. 9, 1980, four years after this article was published.