1890 Biographies F-L

Christie O. Ferguson, cashier of the Homer National Bank of Homer, Louisiana, is a thoroughly capable and experienced banker, and a short sketch of his highly honorable career is given below.
He was born in Drew County, Arkansas, on December 17, 1855, and is the youngest of a family of nine sons and three daughters that grew to mature years. He passed his boyhood and youth in Homer, received a liberal education in Homer College, and was then engaged in clerking for about, eight years. In 1881 be engaged in merchandising under the firm name of Camp Davidson & Ferguson, general merchants, and after two years Mr. Ferguson succeeded to the business himself, and continued the same up to 1890, when he sold out. He then engaged in the banking business as above stated.
On May 4, 1881, he was married to Miss Amelia Wilder, a native of Jackson Parish, Louisiana, who was reared and educated at Homer, and who is the daughter of J. B. Wilder, of Magnolia. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson lost one son, Guy O'Neal, who's death occurred in 1880, at the age of four years. Mr. Ferguson is one of the present board of aldermen, and has served for a number of terms. He has also held several other official positions.
Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and socially Mr. Ferguson is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the K. of P., having held official positions in the former organization. He is a man of superior business capacity, and on the organization of the Homer National Bank, he was elected the cashier, a position to which he is eminently fitted. He is a gentleman of social habits, and is popular with his friends who are legion.

H. M. Drew Ferguson was born in Drew County, Ark, April 16, 1848, and is a son of Jonathan Ferguson, a native of Chester County, South Carolina, and Sarah (Hyatte) Ferguson, also a native of that county and State, the father of Irish and the mother of German descent. The elder Ferguson removed from South Carolina to Mississippi, resided there about two years, and in 1846 went to Arkansas, locating in Drew County. In 1864 he removed from Arkansas to Louisiana and settled in Claiborne Parish, twelve miles north of Homer, and after residing there for two years removed to that town. He now makes his home with his son, Drew Ferguson. He is a Royal Arch Mason and is a prominent member of that body. Although eighty-seven years of age, time has dealt kindly with Mr. Ferguson, and he is in comparatively good health. His wife died December 8, 1881, in her sixty-ninth year. They were the parents of a large family of children, nine sons and three daughters, all of whom grew to mature years. Six sons served in the Confederate Army, and three never returned. H. M. D. Ferguson enlisted in his fifteenth year (in 1863) and served in the Trans-Mississippi Department until the close of the war. Coming to Claiborne Parish, Mr. Ferguson entered Homer College, where he remained for nearly two years.
After this he engaged in various business pursuits until November, 1876, when he was elected clerk of the district court, which position he has held to the present, his term of office expiring in April, 1892. Mr. Ferguson is a Royal Arch Mason, having joined that organization in 1877, and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, an Odd Fellow and a member of the American Legion of Honor.
Mr. Ferguson was married in Homer in April, 1872, to Miss Bettie Otts, a native of Greene County, Louisiana, and the daughter of William P. Otts, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Ferguson was educated principally in Mount Lebanon College. Mr. Ferguson is a member of the Baptist and his wife a member of the Presbyterian Church.

William J. Field was brought up to the life of a farmer by his father, and has continued that calling with care and perseverance up to the present time, a business to which he seems naturally adapted.
Almost from his birth, which occurred on October 1, 1828, he has resided in this parish, his parents, Lewis and Mary (Duty) Field, coming thither in 1834. The former was born in Chester District, South Carolina, in March, 1799, and in his native State grew to manhood, participating in the War of 1812, being with Jackson in the battle of New Orleans. After receiving his discharge he went to Arkansas, and in that State was married, his wife being a native of East Tennessee, and a daughter of Solomon Duty, an Englishman by birth. After the removal of Mr. Field to this State and parish he opened up a fine plantation, and for some time was a member of the police jury, and held the position of magistrate, besides some other local offices. He was a man of fair education, a great lover of good books, and was also very fond of hunting and trapping, the country at that time affording ample scope for the cultivation of that taste. On one occasion he, with a number of other lovers of the chase, was gone on a hunting expedition in Arkansas for eighteen months, and he often pictured in vivid language the thrilling encounters he had with wild animals and Indians. His wife had two or three brothers killed by tho Indians. She survived her husband several years, dying in 1847. The paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Thomas Field, was of English descent, born in South Carolina, passing from life in the State of his birth, an honored and respected citizen.
William J. Field was born near where he is now living, while his parents were on a visit here from Arkansas, but he located here permanently with them in 1834, and here also grew to manhood. He was also a hunter in his younger day, the abundance of wild game in the vicinity, no doubt, adding to the taste he had inherited from his father, and many are the bears, panthers and hundreds of deer, which fell a victim to his trusty rifle. The country at that time, was almost a complete wilderness, heavily covered with timber and underbrush, and log rolling or house raisings were held with great rejoicings, by the settlers, who were pining for something "exciting," settlers for fifteen miles around being in attendance, and contributing all in their power to the entertainment.

Although Mr. Field's chances for acquiring an education were very meager, he improved every opportunity, and he is now considered one of the intelligent men of the parish, and one of its most substantial citizens. In July, 1861. be enlisted in the Twelfth Louisiana Infantry, and after being in active service for one year, was detailed to work in a blacksmith shop, which trade he had learned in his youth, and this occupation received his attention until tho war closed. His work was in Arcadia, Bienville Parish, and after the war he continued there for a number of years, in 1873 he sold his shop and moved to the farm where he now resides, which was in a very dilapidated condition. He immediately commenced to improve this land, and now has 640 acres of as good land as there is in the parish, with about 125 acres under cultivation, on which he has built, a large, substantial residence, and good outbuildings. He also owned 800 acres of land in Lincoln Parish, but divided this among his children, all of which property he earned by hard work and good management, after the close of the war.
He was married in Union Parish, November 1, 1854, to Miss Celia Autrey, a Perry County, Alabamian by birth, and a daughter of Absalom Autrey, one of the pioneers of the State. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Field: William L., Delia (wife of Thomas Rodgers), Thomas J., George W. (a clerk in Arcadia, also assistant bookkeeper and a fine mathematician), Frank F. and Bettie. Mr. Field is a Royal Arch Mason, in which he has attained to the chapter. He is a man whose reputation has ever remained unblemished, and the respect which is accorded him by all classes is fully deserved.

Walker P. Fomby is actively engaged in conducting his extensive plantation and in managing his sawmill and cotton gin in Ward 6 of Claiborne Parish. His birth occurred in Troup County, Georgia, in 1845, to Richard and Anis (Lee) Fomby, who were born in Wilkes County, Georgia, in 1802, and Virginia, respectively, becoming the parents of the following children: Frances (wife of P. A. Awbrey, of this parish), Henry (who died since the war. from a wound received while in the service), Mary (wife of Joe Boyd, of Hope, Arkansas), Clement (wife of Bart Jeans, of Arkansas), Amanda C. (widow of Sam Clark, a resident of Atlanta, Georgia), Carrie (wife of C. Baker, of Randolph County, Louisiana), Rowena (widow of Samuel Kite, of Indian Territory), Charles M. (a merchant of Magnolia, Arkansas), Walker P., and Lou (who was the wife of Winston Wood, of Atlanta, Georgia, and is now deceased, leaving at the time of her death two children: Carrie and Lou). The paternal grandfather, Thomas Fomby, was born in Virginia and traced his ancestry back to England. The maternal grandfather, Noah Lee, was also born in Virginia, was active in the Revolutionary War, and traced his ancestry back to the same source as Gen. Robert E. Lee.
Walker P. Fomby reached man's estate and received a common school education in Georgia. In 1803 he enlisted in Company A, Ninth Louisiana Infantry, and while participating in the battle of Gettysburg he was captured, and after being held a prisoner four months was exchanged, after which he joined the army at the battle of the Wilderness, in 1801. He removed to Arkansas in 1865, and two years later was married to Miss Georgia Knox, of Claiborne Parish. Mr. Fomby began life for himself as a planter, and is now the owner of about 1,000 acres of land, 700 of which is under cultivation. He and his wife are the parents of eight children, as follows: Walter, Eddie, Effie, Henry, John L., Richard, Madge and Valentine.
The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically Mr. Fomby is a Democrat.

John E. Gandy is a son of the gentleman whose sketch appears above, and was born in this parish in 1852. In his early youth he attended the different schools of the parish, and being an intelligent, wide awake youth, possessing a good memory, he made excellent progress in his studies, and at the age of twenty-one years was perfectly capable of successfully fighting the battle of life alone.
He was married, December 15, 1880 to Miss Mary A. McConnell, and by her he has become the father of three bright and interesting little children named Joseph H. D., Dovie and Conway.
Mrs. Gandy is a daughter of Joshua McConnell, a native of Georgia, who, at the time of her marriage, was residing in Cleburne, Texas. Mr. Gandy, like the majority of boys, followed in his father's footsteps, and has always given his attention to agriculture, being now the owner of about 520 acres of land, nearly half of which is under cultivation. This property is the result, mainly, of honest and persistent toil, and shows what can be accomplished when a man of energy is at the helm.

He has always supported the doctrines of Democracy, and in 1884 was appointed a member of the police jury, a position he held with ability until 1888. He and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and are highly respected throughout this section, as worthy citizens and friends.

W. H. Gandy is a worthy tiller of the soil of Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, and of the 500 acres of line land which he now owns he has 300 acres under cultivation, nicely improved, with good buildings of all kinds and a good cotton gin. He was born in Greene County, Alabama, July 26, 1828, a son of John and Elizabeth (Holland) Gandy, both of whom were born in North Carolina, their marriage taking place there, and their removal to Alabama dating 1818. They opened up a large farm in Greene County of that State, and there reared their family. Mr. Gandy served as sheriff of his county in North Carolina in his younger days, but aside from this held no other public office, being content to devote his time to tilling the soil. He died about 1877 and his wife in 1843. Of a family of four sons and four daughters born to them, the daughters and two sons only are living.
W. H. Gandy, the immediate subject of this biography, being one of the latter. He grew to manhood in Alabama, had the advantages of the common schools, and after attaining manhood was married there, in 1851, to Miss Edith Thornton, a daughter of Elisha Thornton, a very prominent man of Greene County, in which Mrs. Gandy was born, reared, educated and married. The fall succeeding their marriage they came to Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, where Mr. Gandy opened up a large tract of land, being the owner of a number of slaves. He has been a resident of his present property since 1857. In August, 1862, he joined the Confederate Army, and was detailed to oversee the farms of families in the neighborhood, doing no military duty. He is a warm Democrat, takes an active part in parish politics, and has been a delegate to its conventions a number of times. He and his wife have the following family: John E. (a sketch of whom appears below). G. A., J. A., W. B., W. N., Edith (a school teacher of the parish) and Anna May. All the sons are married.
He and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and he has attained to the highest rank in the I. O. O. P. He has been an elder in his church since 1858, and has taken an active part in church matters.

Richard G. Gantt, M. D., was born in Greenville, South Carolina, December 12, 1837, he being the eldest of five children born to his parents, those following him in order of birth being S. Josephine Ridgeway (deceased, formerly of Elbert County, Georgia), Mrs. Elizabeth Y. Blackwell, of Elberton, Georgia, Ann Eliza (died in infancy), T. Lawrence (editor of the Banner Watchman, of Athens, Georgia). The father, Thomas W. Gantt, was born at Edgefield, South Carolina, in 1815. After graduating in the South Carolina College, at Columbia, he entered the office of Col. C. G. Meminger, as a student of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1830. In the same year he married Miss P. Emma Groves, the youngest daughter of Joseph Groves, of Abbeville District, South Carolina, a man of wealth and culture. Thomas J. Gantt, the father of Thomas W., was born in Edgefield, South Carolina, in 1788, moved to Columbia when quite young, was admitted to the bar and began the practice of law in Charleston, South Carolina. Early in life he was elected register in equity, which office he held for thirty-nine years, and was re-elected for another term when he died sudden by in 1802. His father, Hon. Richard Gantt, was born in Prince Georges County, Maryland, August 12, 1767. He moved to South Carolina when quite young, and was a lawyer of marked ability. Early in life he was elected one of the judges of the court of general sessions and common pleas. This being a life office, he held it until nearly eighty years old; feeling then unfitted to longer discharge the duties of the office he resigned. Upon his resignation the Legislature of South Carolina made him a present of $10,000 for the many services he had rendered the State.
The above was a son of Dr. Thomas Gantt of White's Landing, Prince Georges County, Maryland, who was born August 18, 1736, and died in 1807. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, but whether an officer or private is not known. His immediate progenitor was Dr. Thomas Gantt, of Prince Georges County, Maryland He married Rachel, the daughter of Col. John Smith, by whom he had issue. He was one of the signers of the declaration of rights by the freemen of Maryland Province in 1775, as was also his brother, Edward. The document is still hanging in the executive chamber, at Annapolis, Maryland Dr. Gantt, the immediate subject of this sketch, grew to maturity partly in Abbeville and in Charleston, S. C. His literary education was completed at the Furman University, and his medical at the Medical College of the State of South Carolina, in Charleston, where he graduated in 1801.
In August, 1857, he married Mattie Sale, a daughter of Adolphus J. and Eliza N. Sale, a woman noted in her youth for her great beauty, and in her riper years for her sound judgment, her untiring energy and her complete devotion to her family. To them were born eight, children: Ann E. Fell (died in infancy), Thomas Wilding (died in 1878), Silvanus Sale (died in 1884), Halbert Alston (now a practicing physician with his father, in the town of Haynesville, Louisiana), Neva, Richard Groves, Mattie Helen, and Fell Fletcher (the youngest).
The Doctor enlisted at Charleston, South Carolina, May 1, 1861, in the Frist Regiment South Carolina Volunteers. His regiment was ordered immediately to Richmond, Virginia. After the time was up for which he had volunteered, six months, he returned to Charleston and soon after joined the Nineteenth Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers. He participated in all of the battles in which his command was engaged except the battle and retreat from Missionary Ridge; at that time he was at, home on a fifteen days' leave of absence, it being the first he had had since he entered the service. At the expiration of his furlough he met his command at Dalton, Georgia, taking part in all of the battles in which it was engaged, until he was wounded in a skirmish about four or five miles southeast of Marietta, which incapacitated him from further military service.
Prior to the war Dr. Gantt was conservative in politics, and voted for Bell for the presidency. Since that time he has been an unswerving Democrat.

William J. Garland is a successful merchant and postmaster of Dykesville, Louisiana. He was born in Sumter County, South Carolina, May 9. 1851, to Edward and Ann Nora (McKay) Garland, both born, reared and married in the Palmetto State. After residing in South Carolina engaged in planting until the opening of the war, Edward Garland entered the Confederate Army, and while in the service died in Virginia. His widow is still living, and makes her home with her son.
William J., the subject of this sketch. The latter is one of three sons and four daughters that grew to maturity, all of whom are now the heads of families. William J. attained his nineteenth year in his native county, and upon his removal to Louisiana in 1869, located on a plantation in Claiborne Parish, where he spent a few years. In 1888 he purchased an interest in the store where he is now doing business, and in 1889 became sole proprietor, and carries an excellent stock of general merchandise, his trade being large and constantly on the increase. He came to this parish empty handed, and first worked as a farm hand, next farmed on rented land, and in this manner saved enough to purchase a small place, which he successfully managed from 1870 to 1880, and then sold out his land, at that time amounting to several hundred acres, all the result of his earnest endeavor to succeed in life.
His wife, Miss Lydia M. Garland, was born and reared in this parish, and on August 11, 1873, their union took place. Her father. W. W. Garland, was born in South Carolina, and was one of the pioneer residents of this section, and a man of substantial and business like attainments. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Garland: Nobie, Edward, Hubbard, Cora, Katie and Nannie. A daughter, Maggie May, died at the age of eleven years, and a son, Bedford H , died when six years of age.
Mr. Garland was appointed postmaster at Dykesville in 1889, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is one of the stewards.

P. Gibson, M. D., is a young physician of acknowledged merit in this parish, and is especially well known in the vicinity of Millerton, Louisiana, where he has been located since 1889. He has already done much to alleviate the sufferings of humanity in this section, and to his talent and knowledge of his profession the gratitude of hundreds is due.
He was born in Haynesville, Louisiana, in 1862, to John and Nancy (Taylor) Gibson, who were born in Georgia in 1820 and 1840 respectively, the former being a son of William Gibson also a native of Georgia, and the latter a daughter of Matthias G. Taylor, also of that State. To John Gibson find his wife the following children have been born: Dr. P. Gibson (the subject of this sketch), Georgia (wife of Henry Taylor of Homer), Lizzie (wife of James Foster of Shongaloo, Louisiana), William (a student of Vanderbilt University of Nashville, Tennessee), Ida and James. Dr. P. Gibson was sent to the common schools as soon as he attained a suitable age, and being of a studious and ambitious disposition he made excellent progress in his studies, and became a well informed and intelligent, young man. He engaged in teaching and was principal of the Haynesville Normal Institute for three years.
Owing to declining health he gave up this position for the pursuit of medicine, but during his career as teacher he built up one of the best schools in Northern Louisiana, showing great genius for mathematics, of which he was professor while connected with the Normal Institute. Being imbued with a desire to make the science of medicine his calling through life, as stated, he entered upon his studies in the Memphis Medical College, and from this institute was graduated in 1889 since which time he has been a resident of Millerton, where he has built up a commendable practice, carrying in this connection a line of drugs.
Since 1888 he has been married to Miss Ada Waller, a daughter of L. T. and Georgia (Roe) Waller of State Line. Arkansas Mrs. Gibson is a Missionary Baptist.

G. G. Gill, merchant, Homer, Louisiana This enterprising and thorough going business man was born in Hall County, Georgia, on February 15, 1844, and is a son of Hon. Josiah H. and S. R. (Simmons) Gill, natives of Chester District, S. G, and Virginia, respectively. The father was a merchant and planter, and moved from Hall County to Floyd County, Georgia, where he engaged in business for a number of years at Cave Spring. He afterward moved to Louisiana (1868), located in Homer and embarked in merchandising, which be carried on until his death, which occurred in 1878. He was a prominent man, and served as a member of the Legislature in Georgia. He was also prominent in Masonic affairs. His wife died in 1855. He was twice married, his second wife being the mother of our subject, and of the four children born to this union that grew to mature years G. G. Gill was the second in order of birth. Only two brothers and one sister are now surviving. G. G. Gill attained his growth in Georgia, and in March, 1862, he enlisted in the First Georgia Cavalry, serving until the close of the war, first as private and then as orderly sergeant. He participated in several important' battles, first Richmond, Ky., Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Knoxville, and from Dalton to Atlanta. He was then at Savannah, then at Raleigh, and surrendered at Kingston, Georgia.
Mr. Gill received a good education at Cave Spring Institute, and remained in Georgia up to 1867, when in September of that year he moved to Louisiana, locating at Homer, where he clerked in a store with a half-brother, W. B. Gill, who established business there in 1853. The Gill House is the oldest established house in this town. Mr. Gill continued with his brother up to 1870, when he and his father bought out the brother's one half interest, and continued the business here. Since then there have been a number of changes, and Mr. Gill took the entire business in January, 1878. He has a large two story brick business house, also two warehouses, and carries a very large and complete stock of goods. He is doing an immense business, and is also buying and dealing in cotton.
He carries a large stock of general merchandise, including drugs, furniture, hardware, harness, saddlery, sash and blinds, doors, etc. He is doing an exceedingly good business, and has deservedly gained a reputation as a straightforward, enterprising business man. He devoted his entire time and energy to his business, conducts his affairs on strict principles, and the success crowning his efforts is but a natural consequence. Today he is the owner and at the head of the largest retail business in Northwest Louisiana. Mr. Gill, an active worker for the cause of education here, bought out the old college at a sheriff's sale, and forming a stock company succeeded in getting the college in a flourishing condition. He has given the college and the cause his hearty support, and is at the present time president of the board of directors.
He is a member of the K. of P., and an active member of that order. Mr. Gill was married in December, 1870, to Miss Lizzie E., daughter of J. M. White, who was born in Sumter County, Georgia, and who was reared and educated in Louisiana. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gill are named as follows; R. Shelton (aged sixteen), Ernest. Clarence and Edgar. One daughter died in early childhood, and the oldest, Lilla Mai Gill, died September 21, 1889 at the age of seventeen years. Mr. and Mrs. Gill are worthy and esteemed members of the Methodist Church.

John E. Gray enjoys the reputation of being a substantial and progressive planter and an intelligent and thoroughly posted man on all matters of a public, as well as private nature. Although young in years he has shown sound judgment in the management of his business affairs and is now in independent circumstances.
He is a native of this parish and was born in October, 1803, being the sixth of nine children, the other members of the family being: Joseph (a resident of Ward 2), James S. (a resident of Magnolia, Arkansas), Mary (now Mrs. John Gibson, of this ward). Mattie (wife of Will Gibson, also residing here), Sallie (wife of D. P. Owens), and Ludie, Irene and Walter (residing with John E.).
The father of these children, Albert Gray, was born in Georgia in 1826, and after reaching maturity in that State moved to Alabama, where he was married to Miss Harriet E. Barrow, a native of that State, and daughter of Josiah Barrow, and in 1854 moved with her to Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, where he engaged in planting, owning at the time of his death in 1886, about 900 acres of land. He served in the Southern Confederacy under Gen. John Young, was an old time member of the A. P. & A. M, and for many years he and his wife were members of the Missionary Baptist Church. His father, James Gray, was a North Carolinian, and is one of two brothers who served in the War of 1812, afterward settling in Georgia. The family are of Irish extraction, but for several generations have been residents of America.
The subject of this sketch and all his brothers and sisters, except the eldest two, were born on the old homestead on which he is now living. He was married in January, 1888, to Miss Maggie E. Wilson, a daughter of James and Arabella (Keeton) Wilson, and to them one child has been born, Arabella.
Mr. Gray and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and politically he is a Democrat. He is the owner of the old homestead, which comprises 512 acres, 200 of which are under cultivation, and on this he does a general farming.

Frank C. Greenwood, book-keeper of Homer National Bank, like many other prominent citizens of Louisiana, owes his nativity to Alabama, having been born in Cherokee County on June 4, 1838, and is the son of William K. and Polly (Morgan) Greenwood, natives respectively of Georgia and Kentucky. The father went to the Blue Grass State when a young man, and there met and married Miss Morgan, after which they removed to Georgia, where the father was engaged in tilling the soil for a number of years. They then moved to Alabama, locating in Cherokee County, and here the father continued his former pursuit for one year. From there they removed to Talladega County, but at the end of seven years they removed to Arkansas, and located in Union County. Here the father followed agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in December, 1880, when in his eighty-eighth year. He held several local offices in the county where he resided, and was a stanch Democrat, although he took no very active part in politics. He volunteered in one of the old Indian wars (1815), but was not called to active service. His wife died in June, 1879, in her eighty-third year. Their family consisted of eleven children, all of whom grew to years of discretion, and became heads of families, but two sons. Two brothers and two sisters are living at the present time.
F. C. Greenwood grew to manhood in Arkansas, received a limited education, and is mainly self-educated since grown up. He was early taught, the duties of the farm, and in 1859 he came to Louisiana, locating in Jackson Parish. He entered the Confederate service in the first company from that parish in 1801, went to New Orleans, and was put in the Second Louisiana Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war. He participated, in the battles of Malvern Hill, Cedar Mountain, Second Manassas, Gettysburg, battle of the Wilderness, Chancellorsville, and was taken prisoner at Spottsylvania Court House on May 12, 1864. Mr. Greenwood is proud of his army record, and went through the war up to the time of his capture, without even a personal reprimand. He was wounded four times, being shot, in the arm and shoulder, and wounded in the breast by a bayonet. He also received a bad wound in the head at Gettysburg. He was held a prisoner at Point Lookout, Maryland, and Elmira, New York, until the close of the war, and was then paroled, and came, home in April, 1865.
After returning to Jackson Parish, Louisiana, he resided there several years, and was married there on June 14, 1865, to Miss Alice A. Otts, a native of Alabama, who was reared and educated in Jackson Parish, and who is the daughter of Joel B. Otts. Mr. Greenwood then farmed in Jackson Parish for several years, after which he engaged in bookkeeping there.
In 1869 he moved to Union County, Arkansas, remaining there two years, and then removed to the Lone Star State, Sabine Pass, where he tarried for about two years, after which he returned to Arkansas, Union County.
In January, 1878, he came to this parish, engaged in bookkeeping here, and when the Homer National Bank opened in 1890, he took his place as bookkeeper. Mr. Greenwood is a strong Democrat, but never takes an active part in politics. He and wife are members of the Methodist, Episcopal Church South, and he is recording steward of the same.
Socially he is a member of the Masonic order, being a Master Mason, and serving as secretary for a number of years. He is now demitted. He is also a member of the K. of P. Mr. Greenwood is a pleasant gentleman to meet, and is held in high esteem by all who are favored with his acquaintance.

Hiram Gryder, now a planter of Claiborne Parish, La., is a Danville Kentuckian, born March 4, 1806, the second of seven children born to William and Mary (Perry) Gryder, who were also born in the Blue Grass State; their children being as follows: Nancy (now living in Claiborne Parish, La.), Hiram, Jennie (A resident of Arkansas, and the widow of Jonathan Knox), Hugh, Clay, Mary (Wife of W. C. Martin, of Webster Parish), and John. Mr. Gryder removed to Tennessee when a boy, and to Arkansas in 1818, where he resided until 1820, when he came with his people to Claiborne Parish, La., which place has since been his home. He was married in 1834 to Miss Mary Hayes, by whom he became the father of six children: Ellen, Martin, Martha (wife of Henry Johnson), Hugh, Robert and Margaret. Upon Mr. Gryder's arrival in this region, he found the country a wilderness, the woods inhabited by wild game of many kinds and Indians. However, pioneer life had no terrors for him, and he went to work immediately to make a home for himself, and in this has succeeded well. He has never in his life seen a railroad, and it must be confessed does not care to, but in other respects he is enterprising, and is quite deeply interested in political matters, being a staunch Democrat. He has been a member of the Christian Church since thirty-two years of age, and has always been deeply interested in the cause of Christianity. For many years he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity.

George A. Harper, D. D. S., is a skillful practitioner of the pleasant little city of Homer, Louisiana, and is a native of Claiborne Parish, his birth occurring here in 1864, being one of three children. Dr. Harper is a graduate of Vanderbilt College of Dentistry of Nashville, Tennessee, his education in this institution being completed in the year 1887, but he was a well-educated young man where he entered the dental college, for he had received thorough training in the Meridian Male and Female Academy of Meridian. His father is a renowned physician in the prosperous town of Meridian. He served in the Rebellion with distinction and bravery, which received for him encomiums from his countrymen. His wife, whose maiden name was Miss Geraldine Nuckolls, was a Tennessean, who died in 1872, after which Dr. Harper married Miss Lelia Nuckolls, a sister of his first wife, by whom he bad seven children. He has attained a prominent position as a medical practitioner in his portion of the State, and being possessed of engaging manners, and a brilliant mind, coupled with unquestioned integrity, and habits of strict morality and sobriety, it is not to be wondered at that his career has been one of distinction and success.
Dr. George A. Harper began his independent career as a salesman in a drug store at the age of eighteen years, and after following this until he reached his twentieth year, he began the study of dentistry, and finally graduated as has been mentioned above. As he possesses numerous admirable traits of character, a bright future is before him. He was the leader of his class in the mechanical execution of his work whilst in college, and otherwise became distinguished while preparing himself for his profession, being an earnest and painstaking student.
He entered upon his practice in Homer in 1887, and has already acquired a widespread reputation as a dental surgeon. He is an honored member of the K. of P., of Homer, Louisiana, and has always affiliated with the Democratic Party, and at all times has endeavored to endorse men of principle and honor, although he is not an active partisan, except in the matter of voting. Dr. Harper has always been a young man of much principle, of that moral and personal integrity, and clear well-balanced, active intelligence, for which all his people have been noted. He holds a warm place in the estimation of his numerous friends and patrons, and promises to be a valuable adjunct to the citizenship of any locality in which he may make his home.

William D. Harper, M. D.. The people of Claiborne, as well as the surrounding parishes, are familiar with the name that heads this sketch, for for many years he has been successfully occupied in the prosecution of his chosen profession at this place. He has shown himself eminently worthy of the confidence and trust reposed in him by all classes, and has unquestionably shown that he is a physician of decided merit.
He is the youngest of the following family: James D., who graduated from the Philadelphia Medical College in 1852, and practiced his calling at Minden until 1878, at which time he died. He was regarded as a leading physician of Northern Louisiana, and his memory still remains green in the hearts of his numerous acquaintances and friends. Albert G. (who graduated from the New Orleans Medical College in 1807, and is now one of the most successful physicians of Minden), Sarah (widow of N. Young, of Magnolia, Arkansas), Mary K. (widow of Judge W. B. Edgar, deceased, of Homer), Annie (wife of John W. Todd, of Magnolia, Arkansas), Margaret (who died in infancy), Samuel B. (who died at the age of twenty-eight years), and Dr. William D. Harper. These children were born to Samuel B. and Annie S. (Jones) Harper, the former of whom was born in Georgia in 1796, and the latter in North Carolina. Samuel B. Harper was one of five children, and after the death of his father his mother married again, her husband being a Mr. Bonner.
Dr. William D. Harper received the advantages of the common schools of Claiborne Parish, and at the age of thirty-one years he entered the Tulane Medical College at New Orleans, from which place he was graduated in 1885. Since then he has successfully followed his chosen profession in the place of his birth, and has acquired an enviable reputation for the conscientious discharge of his duties. He was married in 1874 to Miss Nobie Carr, a daughter of W. A. Carr, a resident, of Homer. Two children have been born to them: Rolla C. and Mary Kinnie. The Doctor at all times affiliates with the Democratic Party, and, socially, is a member of the K. of P.
His wife is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Until recently the Doctor practiced at Plat Lake, but in May, 1890, he located in Homer, where his practice is sufficiently large to keep him fully employed the year round. Personally, he is liberal, generous and high-minded, the soul of honor, and although he has views of his own, with the moral courage to express them, he is not in the least aggressive.

Hon. James H. Hay. Within the limits of Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, there is not a man of greater personal popularity than Mr. Hay, for he is a citizen of substantial worth, and progressive spirit. He is now a resident and merchant of the village of Summerfield, and by reading the following sketch of his career it will be seen that his time has not been uselessly or idly spent.
He was born in the State of Georgia September 29, 1838, but since he was eight years of age he has been a resident of Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, his early education being received in the old subscription schools, afterward taking a complete course in Mount Lebanon College, Bienville Parish. After he completed his course he enlisted in the Confederate Army, becoming a member of Company H, Seventeenth Louisiana Infantry Volunteers, and was mustered into service in 1861. He was assigned to the Army of Mississippi under Brig.-Gen. Buggies and Gen. Pemberton, and was a participant in the battles of Shiloh and siege of Vicksburg, after which, in 1863, he returned home and was not again an active participant in the war.
He has always been a Democrat in principle and precept, and has always strenuously upheld the principles of his party, his first presidential vote being cast for Stephen A. Douglas. He represented Claiborne Parish in the State Legislature at one time, and at the time of his nomination there were six candidates, but it was finally decided that there should be two nominated, and Mr. Hay and W. C. Martin were the successful ones, being duly and unanimously elected, although Mr. Hay's term in office was of short duration.
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity at Summerfield, Louisiana He is a careful, methodical business man, fully awake to all the interests of his patrons. He carries a complete line of dry goods, boots, shoes, hats, caps, hardware, a full line of staple groceries, and in fact all the commodities which go to make up a first-class general store, his annual sales amounting to about $10,000.
His parents were born, reared and married in the State of Georgia, and both are now deceased, the father having been a planter by occupation. To them four sons and three daughters were born, of which family four are now living: James (the subject of this biography), William F. (who is a planter of this parish), Samuel (who follows the same occupation here, and is married), and Theodocia (wife of B. P. O'Bannon, who is a prosperous planter of this parish).

James D. Henry has been a resident of Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, from his infancy, for he was born here in 1828, being the son of Henry S. and Lovie (Burnham) Henry, who were born in North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively, the former coming to Louisiana in 1827, and locating in Claiborne Parish. Here James D. attained man's estate, and as soon as he had reached a suitable age he was put to school, being an attendant of the common school of Claiborne Parish in his early youth, where he acquired a practical education. In 1857 his marriage to Miss Catherine Madden was celebrated, and after their union had been blessed in the birth of four children, two of whom are living, the mother died, the date of her death being 1805.
The following year he united his fortunes with those of Mrs. Margaret A. Madden, widow of J. D. Madden, by whom he became the father of four children, three being still alive.
In 1862 Mr. Henry enlisted in the Confederate Army, and served with fidelity until the cessation of hostilities. His first battle was at Franklin, Louisiana, but was afterward in a number of hotly contested engagements.
He has the distinction of being the third eldest native resident of Claiborne Parish, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as is also his wife and eldest daughter, who is at home. He belongs to the Farmers' Alliance, find is the owner of a plantation of 370 acres, 123 of which are cleared and under cultivation.

Calvin F. Hightower. Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, has long had the reputation of being a fine agricultural region, and here Mr. Hightower holds a leading place among the well-to-do and prosperous planters. He is a Georgian, born May 13, 1849, being the third of nine children, five sons and four daughters, born to James P. and Mary P. (Almond) Hightower, who were born, reared, educated and married in Georgia, the father being a farmer by calling, both being now deceased. Their children are as follows: Thomas Jefferson (deceased), America (deceased), Calvin P., James A. (married, and a planter of Claiborne Parish), Virginia (deceased), Jackson P. (married, and a planter of this parish), Fannie (wife of Joseph A. Ganiss (a planter of Arkansas), Mary Lida (deceased), and Irby H. (married, and a planter of Grayson County, Texas).
Calvin F. Hightower obtained a practical education in the district school of this parish, and ever since he has been a firm friend and supporter of all good educational institutions. After he had attained his majority he commenced to make his own way in the world as a farmer and planter, and although his principal capital consisted of a pair of willing hands and a good constitution, he has been successful, and he is now the owner of 1,000 acres of good land, of which 500 acres are in a fine state of cultivation, all of which property is the result of his own hard toil and good management. Miss Mary J. Taylor, who was born in Alabama, on May 25, 1855, became his wife on October 28, 1874, she being a daughter of Daniel Taylor, a successful planter.
She was reared principally in Louisiana, her education being received in the common schools, and her union with Mr. Hightower has resulted in the birth of eight children: Martha Frances (who died at the age of nine years), James D. (who died when seven years of age), John F. (aged eleven years), Edna C. (aged nine years), Thomas A. (deceased), Franklin T. (aged five years), Jonnie Vida (aged three years), and Mamie Elsie (the baby of the home).
Mr. Hightower has always upheld the principles of Democracy, and is a stanch member of the Farmers' Alliance. They expect to make Homer their future abiding place, where they are surrounded by all that go to make life comfortable and pleasant. Mrs. Hightower is an earnest member of the Baptist Church, and her husband has always been a liberal contributor to the same.

James A. Hightower is now successfully following the calling to which he was reared, and which has been his life work, a calling that for ages received undivided efforts from many worthy individuals, and one that always furnishes a good living to those who are persevering and energetic.
He is a native of Harris County, Georgia, born in the year 1850, and when ten years of age was brought to Louisiana, by his parents (for a history of whom see sketch of G. F. Hightower), and near the town of Homer he grew to maturity, receiving a good practical education in the common schools of his native State and Louisiana. After attaining the age of twenty-four years he came to the conclusion that it is not good for man to live alone, and acting upon this belief he was married to Miss Georgie Lowory, a daughter of Larkin Lowery, their union in time resulting in the birth of seven children; Bettie (now in school at Summerfield), Willie, Genie, Irby, Mattie L., Larkin and Ettie. Mr. Hightower's agricultural operations have resulted very satisfactorily, and he is now the owner of a fine plantation consisting of 800 acres, 200 of which are cleared and under cultivation, yielding abundantly the usual crops of the south.
Politically Mr. Hightower has at all times affiliated with the Democrat party, and as a man and citizen his career has been one of more than usual interest, for to his own indomitable energy he owes his success in life. He and his wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

W. Strickland Hood. The agricultural affairs of Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, are ably represented, among others, by the subject of this sketch, who is a son of Bryant Hood, who was born in Washington County, Georgia, and died in 1886, at the age of eighty years. The grandfather, William Hood, was a resident of Georgia all his life, in which state he was also born.
W. Strickland Hood was born in Coweta County, Georgia, in 1832, and removed with his parents to Chambers, Louisiana, where he grew to maturity and received a common-school education. He was the second of the following named children: Martha A. (is the deceased wife of Joseph Swine), W. Strickland, Mary (the deceased wife of William Watson, of Claiborne Parish), Frances (widow of Fred Dugan), Susanna (is the deceased wife of G. W. Belcher, of Arkansas), Levena (wife of Thomas Coleman), Bryant W., and Martinia (wife of John W. Hollowman.
W. Strickland Hood came to this parish in 1851, and here has since made his home, from here enlisting in 1862 in Company D, Eighteenth Louisiana Infantry, serving until the surrender, the most of his service being confined to the State of Louisiana, on detail duty. He was married to Miss Mary L. Brown in 1855, and to them the following four children have been born: James B., William T, Joseph B. and M. Lulu. Mr. Hood owns 300 acres of good land, the half of which is under cultivation, and in the conduct of this property he has shown that he is a man who thoroughly understands his business, for thrift and industry are his watchwords.

He has been a member of the A. F. & A. M. for many years, and is now a member of the Farmer's Union, and his wife, as well as himself, belongs to the Missionary Baptist Church.

William A. Johnston, merchant and jeweler, Homer, Louisiana in Moore County, North Carolina in September, 1853, there was born to the union of E. T. and Flora (McFarland) Johnston a son, whom we will now take as the subject of this sketch. He was the eldest of six children, four sons and two daughters, all living with the exception of one son, and received a liberal education in the schools of Louisiana.
He began learning the silversmith's trade in 1874 at Vienna, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, under T. W. Speer, one of the best workmen in this line in the State. Mr. Johnston came from Vienna to Homer in 1874, engaged in business for himself in a small way and was doing unusually well when, in 1877, failing health caused him to sell out. In July, 1880 he commenced working here for other parties, continued at, this for sixteen months, and then worked one year for himself.
After this he entered a general store, including jewelry, and remained with the same up to 1886. When he bought out the jewelry department and continued the business. Mr. Johnston now carries a large stock of watches, clocks and jewelry, and does a good business in his line. He also has a large and increasing repair business. He is a No. 1 workman, and his repairing receives prompt attention, being executed in the best manner and guaranteed substantial and durable. He is a natural mechanic. He owns his own business house, and since 1887 has been in his own building.
He is a charter member of the K. of P., and has held several official positions in the order. His parents were born in North Carolina, and there they were united in marriage. They moved from their native State to Arkansas in 1857, located in Hempstead one year, and in 1858 moved to Louisiana. They located in Union Parish, engaged in planting and there they reared their family. The father died May 26, 1887, and the mother followed him in August, 1890. They were worthy and much esteemed citizens.

John H. King is a member of the mercantile firm of King Bros., of Blackburn, Louisiana He was born in Tallapoosa County, Louisiana, March 1, 1857, his brother, Frank T., the other member of the firm, being born in the same State and county, November 22, 1854, to William S. and Elizabeth (Adair) King, the former of whom was born in Georgia and the latter in Alabama. When a lad of six years the father was taken by his parents to Alabama, where he attained man's estate and was married, coming, in the winter of 1860, to Louisiana, purchasing an improved farm in Claiborne Parish, on which he is still residing, being now sixty-two years of age. He served in the Confederate Army, and at Cedar River was badly wounded in the hip and had his left arm broken, which permanently disabled him. He is one of a family of eight brothers that served in the Confederacy, and all came through the service alive, one brother losing a foot in an engagement.
The family of William S. King consists of four sons and two daughters, all of whom are living in this parish. John H, King grew to manhood here, and received a fair business education, mostly by self-application. After attaining his majority he remained with his father for several years, and in November, 1880, he and his brother opened their present establishment, but commenced in a small way with very limited means. Since then they have added very materially to their stock of goods, and now carry a large and complete stock of general merchandise, and are doing an excellent business. Mr. King is deputy postmaster, but has had full charge of the office since 1880.

He was married here on December 29, 1887, to Miss Willy Thomas, a native of Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, and a daughter of M. B. Thomas.

Reuben H. Knighton has been engaged in merchandising at Langston, Louisiana, since February, 1890, and although he is young in years, he has in this short time built up a paying trade. His birth occurred in this parish in 1806, to Joseph O. Knighton and wife, the former being born in Mississippi about 1835. To them five children were born, their names being: Reuben H., Annie E. (wife of Len Langton, of Langston), Joseph E., James B., Virginia and Dan W.
Reuben H. Knighton grew to maturity in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, and is a self-educated young man. Although he was reared to the occupation of planting, be gave up this calling, and at the above-mentioned date turned his attention to merchandising, and by honesty, sincerity of purpose and a desire to please his patrons, he is doing a prosperous business.
He comes of good old Jacksonian Democratic stock, and at all times supports that party and the men which it puts forward for office. He is in every respect a worthy young gentleman, and is an earnest member of the Missionary Baptist Church.

Len Langton, his brother-in-law, was born in Ouachita County, Arkansas, in April, 1861, a son of Moses G. W. Langton, who was born in Georgia in 1821, his father, who also bore the name of Moses, being an Englishman. The latter was a veteran in the Revolutionary War, and came to this country with three brothers and aided the cause of the colonists. The male members of the family have at all times been traders and merchants up to the present, and this occupation now receives the attention of Len Langton, who is associated with Mr. Knighton in business.
He was married in 1887 to Miss Annie E. Knighton, by whom he has two children: Lonny and an infant. The former died in infancy.

Larkin R. Lay, farmer, Homer, Louisiana The entire life of Mr. Lay has been one unmarked by any unusual occurrence outside the chosen channels to which he has so diligently and attentively given his time and attention. He was born in Fayette County, Georgia, on June 23, 1836, and his parents, David and Epsie (Landrum) Lay, were also natives of that State, the mother born in Jackson County. Both parents died in Georgia when our subject was a mere child.
The latter came to Louisiana with an older brother in June, 1847, grew to manhood in Claiborne Parish, and received a good education in the country schools and at Mount Lebanon College. In April, 1861, he enlisted in the Second Louisiana Infantry, and re-enlisted in 1863 in the Nineteenth Louisiana Infantry, with which he remained until the close of the war. He was in the siege of Vicksburg, at Port Gibson, and was in several skirmishes. After the war he returned to his home (May, 1865), and in the year following was engaged in clerking at Lisbon. In the fall of 1866 he was married to Miss Margaret J. Garrett, a native of Alabama, and the daughter of Col. John L. Garrett, the following year he engaged in farming, and this has been his calling ever since. He commenced life for himself with limited means, and in addition to his own family has reared all the children of Col. Garrett with the exception of one older son. Mr. Lay is now the owner of about 1,200 acres, all in a body, and has about 600 acres cleared. He has made many improvements and has a good residence.
He and Mrs. Lay are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and are highly esteemed citizens. He served as a member of the police board for four years, and socially he is a member of the K. of P. To his marriage have been born ten children: William L. (who is grown up and married), Jim Nic, L. E , Jr., D. M., Lizzie C., Annie Mag, Katie P., M. B., L. L. and Lena.

Jesse Marion Ledbetter, M. D. The profession of the physician is one of the noblest to which a man can devote his life, that is if he makes a proper use of the talents given him, and this Dr. Ledbetter has most assuredly done. He is a resident of Summerfield, Louisiana, but was born near Harpersville, Scott County, Mississippi, February 3, 1854, being the youngest of the following ten children: Benjamin T., Mary (wife of T. J. Denson, a druggist and pharmacist of Harpersville. Miss.), Lou (the wife of J. K. Whitehead, deceased, of Harpersville, Mississippi), Dora (wife of J. H. Dorsett, a planter of Scott County, Mississippi), W. S. (a resident of Summerfield, Louisiana), William S, (who was married to Miss Mattie Morgan, a resident of Mississippi, and during the last ten years of his life he has been with the Doctor in mercantile business in Summerfield, but, prior to this he had been a planter.
He entered the war with the first company that left Scott County, Mississippi, in 1861, and served till the close of the war), A. A. (an eminent physician and surgeon of Hallettsville, Lavaca County, Texas), W. H. (a planter of Grayson County, Texas), Toressa C, (wife of P. T. Talbot, who is a banker, real estate broker and dealer in general merchandise at San Marquis, Texas), McPherson B., and Dr. Jesse M. (the subject of this sketch). Benjamin T. eldest in the family, was married to a Miss Vanderhurst, and died at the age of fifty-two years. He was a leading politician of Northwestern Louisiana, and his influence was plainly felt throughout this region. At his death he was surveyor-general of the State of Louisiana, having been appointed by President Cleveland. McPherson B., ninth in the family, was married to Miss Nannie Calloway.
He was a finely educated young man, and at the time of his death, which occurred when he was thirty-two years of age, he was associated in the mercantile business with the Doctor and William S. and was joint proprietor with the former in a drug store, and was in very independent circumstances.
He and his brother, Benjamin, now sleep beside their mother and father in Summerfield Cemetery. The father and mother of these children, William and Casandra S. (Black) Ledbetter, were born in Georgia, the former being a farmer in early life and a merchant of Summerfield, Louisiana, during his declining years. Both parents were liberally educated and were supporters of all good scholastic institutions, being also ardent and consistent members of the Primitive Baptist Church for many years. They are now deceased and are sleeping their last sleep in the cemetery of Summerfield.

Contributed 06 Mar 2026 by Norma Hass, extracted from 1890 Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana, pages 402-463.

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