1914 Biography - Thomas T. Land

Land, Thomas T., district attorney of the 3rd judicial district, was born in Bossier parish, Sept. 19, 1874, a son of Thomas T. and Ella M. (Watson) Land. His mother was from Caddo parish and a daughter of Col. Matthew Watson, who was sheriff of that parish for many years. The Land family were originally from South Carolina, the grandfather, Thomas T. Land, coming to Mississippi in the fifties, and later to Shreveport. He was a lawyer by profession, and served as justice of the Superior court for a number of years. He was also at one time judge of the District court. The father of the subject of this sketch was also an attorney, practicing in Caddo and Bossier parishes. He was also the owner of a plantation near Benton, La., where he spent the last years of his life, passing away in 1884 (age 43), 3 years after the death of his beloved wife in 1881. They were the parents of the following children: Mary E. (deceased); Sally, wife of G. G. Nesbitt, of Pecos, Tex.; Nellie, wife of Thomas S. Serpell, D. D. S., and Thomas T., the subject of this biography. He received his early education in the public schools of his community, after which he entered Thatcher's institute, graduating in the class of 1890. On leaving school he began the study of law in the offices of Land & Land, at Shreveport. He also spent 3 years on his father's plantation near Benton. In 1898 he was admitted to the bar, and immediately began the practice of his profession. When war was declared between the United States and Spain Mr. Land enlisted in the 1st Louisiana regiment, was mustered in at New Orleans, and proceeded with the regiment to Miami, Fla., and later to Jacksonville. After hostilities had ceased he returned to Benton where he resumed his practice, and at one time was mayor of that city. In 1900 he was elected district attorney of the 2nd judicial district, composed of Webster and Bossier parishes, and served in this incumbency until 1905. He then moved to an Indian reservation, in what is now Osage county, Okla., and later to Mineral Wells, Tex. In 1907 he returned to Homer, La., continuing his legal practice, and in 1912 became district attorney of Bienville and Claiborne parishes without opposition, which office he has filled most efficiently ever since. In Dec., 1907, he led to the altar Miss Elizabeth Lemerick, of Vicksburg, Miss. This union has been blessed by 1 child, Mary Elizabeth Landry.

Contributed 2021 Nov 04 by Mike Miller, from Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, edited by Alcee Fortier, published in 1914, volume 3, pages 535-536.