Witherspoon, Jackson Thornwell

Submitted by Mike Miller

Witherspoon, Jackson Thornwell, prominently identified with sugar-refining interests, New Orleans was born in Marengo county, Ala., July 2, 1862; son of Rev. Andrew Jackson and Mary (Way) Witherspoon, the former of whom was born in South Carolina, 1824, and died at Moss Point, Miss., 1891; the latter born at Tuscaloosa, Ala., 1830, and died in New Orleans, 1908. Jackson Thornwell was 12 years old when he came with his parents to New Orleans. He attended the public schools about 6 months, and afterward a private school conducted by the late George C. Preot. In 1878, when 16 years old, he began work for the Edward J. Gay Sugar Refining Co., without pay, and remained with that concern until its absorption by the Planters Sugar Refining Co. He was then offered choice of the positions of bookkeeper and sample clerk, the latter position paying only half the salary of the former. He accepted the place of sample clerk, with the idea of learning the business of handling and marketing the product of the refinery. This proved the turning point in the career of the young man, and his advancement since that time has been rapid. He remained with the Planters' Sugar Refining Co. until it was absorbed by the American Sugar Refining Co., with which he at first occupied the position of salesman. In 1899 he became manager of all the interests of the American Sugar Refining Co. for Louisiana, and has occupied that important and responsible position since that time. Mr. Witherspoon has persistently refused to accept any position or office outside of the business of the firm with which he has so long been identified, preferring to concentrate his undivided attention upon the business of the company that has evinced so substantial an appreciation of his services. In 1893 Mr. Witherspoon was married to Miss Elvira Barkley, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Barkley, of New Orleans. To them have been born 4 children, viz.: Josephine Barkley, John Barkley, Jackson Thornwell, Jr., and James Wardlow. Mr. Witherspoon is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Presbyterian church, being a lineal descendant of John Knox, the founder of Presbyterianism. The Witherspoon family has affiliated with the Presbyterian church throughout the history of the family.

Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 471-472. Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.