Biography - B. F. O'Neal

B. F. ONEAL, the subject of this sketch, residing in and doing business at Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La., first commenced business as a general merchant in 1878, which has been continuous and satisfactory ever since. He was born on October 28, 1845, in Bossier Parish, La., that portion then forming a part of what is now Webster Parish. His parents, Stephen C. and Sarah (Crownover) Oneal, were natives of Mississippi and Illinois, respectively, and came to what was then Claiborne Parish, later Bossier Parish, when they were small children, and where they were married in 1844. Six children were born to them, the subject of this sketch being the eldest and the only member of the family now living. In 1860 the family moved to Texas, where the mother died soon afterward. The family returned to Louisiana, and the father, leaving his three children at school, joined the Confederate army and went to Virginia in the early part of the war, dying at Culpepper Court House soon after the first battle of Bull Run, in which he took part. He was a planter and a son of Harry Oneal, who was a Mississippian and who removed to Northwest Louisiana in 1831. He was one of the first settlers of this region, and opened what is known as the Davis farm on French Creek in North Webster. The dwelling place, a large, double log house, which he built on the place in 1834, is still in excellent repair and inhabited. He died on the place in 1846. His wife, Mariah (Gipson) Oneal, is still living, and resides at Haughton, Bossier Parish, La. She was born in Copiah County, Miss., January 19, 1809, and is yet hale and hearty, showing but little the ravages of time. Her union with Mr. Oneal resulted in the birth of fourteen children, and her descendants now number 170, there being forty-four grandchildren and 112 great-grandchildren. The Oneals are related to the famous Bowie family, from which the Bowie-knife derived its name, and counties in Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas are named after that noted family. Harry Oneal's sister, Polly, married Stephan Bowie, and it was her sons, James, Stephen and Raine, who fought the famous San Bor duel. The knife James used with such telling effect was held up by him when wounded, and, calling on his Savior, asked that it be buried with him. Knives of that make, and used as a weapon, have since been known as the Bowie. James and his brothers were called fighting men, but they were not "bullies." It is said they never commenced a difficulty, and in all their intercourse with their neighbors were quiet and courteous, and ever ready to defend the weak side. They knew no fear when their honor or bravery was questioned. The immediate subject of this sketch, Benjamin F. Oneal, at an early age joined the Confederate army, and left Bossier Parish a member of R. E. Wyche's cavalry company. This was when a call was made by the State for troops, upon Banks' first attempt to send his fleet and army up the Red River in 1862. He was in several battles and active service in the Trans-Mississippi Department during the greater part of the war. After this he engaged in the livery business at Shreveport and in farming in Bossier Parish until 1870, when he was enumerator of census of North Bossier Parish. In the fall of that year he was elected sheriff of Bossier Parish, and re-elected in 1872 and again in 1874, holding the office of sheriff six years-to 1876; was elected a member of the police jury in 1876; and served two years; was also a member of the school board and treasurer from 1872 to 1874, inclusive, and obtained the first public moneys from the State, about $52,000, and established the first public schools in Bossier Parish after the war. He was married in December, 1874, to Miss Jennie C., daughter of Louis F. and Marthy L. (Sanders) Steele, early settlers of Bossier Parish, La., of which Louis F. Steele was sheriff and tax collector for twelve years, or until his death, which occurred in 1863. Mrs. Oneal is a member of the Baptist Church, and is the mother of eight children, six now living.

Contributed 29 Aug 2020 by Norma Hass, extracted from Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana, published in 1890, pages 142-143.