Spearing, James Zacharie

Submitted by Mike Miller

Spearing, James Zacharie, of New Orleans, has won an enviable reputation as a lawyer and distinction as a friend and advocate of the cause of education, being now a member of the state board of education. Mr. Spearing was reared in New Orleans, where he has always made his home. However, he was born in Alto, Cherokee county, Tex., his birth occurring on the 23rd day of April, 1864, during the Civil war on account of which his mother had become a refugee to that state. His father, John Farmer Spearing, served throughout the entire time of the war between the states as a member of the Washington artillery. The father was born in New Orleans in 1830 and died here in 1893. He was a son of Henry Spearing, who was born in England, whence he came to America about 1813 with his wife and 1 son, and locating in New Orleans, at once established himself in the business of making sails, which had been the business of himself and father in England. He continued sail making until his death, which occurred when his son, John Farmer Spearing, was but a boy. His eldest son succeeded to the proprietorship of the business and conducted it until his death after the war of secession. John Farmer Spearing then carried on the business till he died, at which time his son, Robert Spearing, succeeded to the business, which he has since conducted. This business is one of less than a half-dozen of New Orleans which were established here a hundred or more years ago. In 1852 John Farmer Spearing married in New Orleans Miss Margaretta Jane Sanders, who was born in Mobile, Ala. They became the parents of 9 children that grew to maturity. Their son, who is the subject of this personal sketch, attended the public schools of New Orleans, and left school at the age of 13 years to begin the battle of life for himself. He became an office boy for a retail coal firm, later an employee of a clothing house. His first business adventure on his own account was with a partner in the book newspaper and magazine business. At the age of 20 Mr. Spearing took up the study of law with his brother, Joseph H. Spearing, who was then practicing law in New Orleans. In 1886 Mr. Spearing graduated from the law department of Tulane university. He was then associated with his brother in practicing law until 1891, when his brother withdrew from the profession of the law and entered the ministry of the gospel. Since then Mr. Spearing has successfully continued along in the practice of his profession. He cannot properly be classed as a politician, although he has always taken a commendable interest in political affairs and in support of the democratic party. In 1908 he was elected a member of the New Orleans school board, which position he held until 1912, when he resigned to accept a position on the state board of education, to which he was appointed by Gov. Hall. As a member of this board, Mr. Spearing has rendered valuable services, especially so in the matter of text books regulation, a cause he earnestly espoused while serving as a member of the school board of New Orleans. Mr. Spearing is a Knight Templar Mason, and a Mystic Shriner. He is also a member of the order of Knights of Pythias, in the subordinate lodge of which he has held all of the chairs, also served as a member of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana and as supreme representative. He is a communicant of the Episcopal church, together with his family. In 1889 he married Miss Lulie M. Cooke, a native of Mobile, Ala. Mr. and Mrs. Spearing have 2 daughters, Cora and Margaretta.

Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 410-411. Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.