1892 Biography - Augustus L. East

Dr. AUGUSTUS L. EAST, Lindsay, East Feliciana parish, La., was born in the state of Texas, in the year 1839, and is the oldest of a family of three children. He spent his school days at the university in Clinton, La., and when he had finished his literary studies, he began reading medicine under the direction of Dr. C. W. Dortch. He afterward attended lectures at the University of Louisiana in New Orleans, and was graduated from this institution in 1860. The following year he entered the confederate service as assistant surgeon. His first duty wee at Port Hudson; he was ordered from this place to Jackson, Miss., where he was on hospital duty; thence he went to Liberty, Miss., to open a wayside hospital for wounded soldiers; he remained there four months, and then reported at headquarters at Meridian, for duty. He then entered field service with General Adams, and was with this general when Sherman made his raid through Mississippi. He was next ordered to report to Wilson, surgeon in charge, for hospital duty, and remained there until he was ordered to join Forest's command; his orders were delayed, however, so he missed this engagement. He was on detached service from that time until the surrender. After the declaration of peace he went to New Orleans, and engaged in mercantile trade for two years. At the end of this time he went to East Feliciana parish, and devoted his time to planting and the practice of his profession until 1877. In that year he disposed of his interests, and went to southeastern Texas. For three years he practiced medicine, but in 1880, returned to Louisiana, and located on the Baton Rouge & Bayou Sara railroad, twenty miles from Baton Rouge. There he owns a fine plantation of 1,000 acres where he raises a large cotton crop annually. Dr. East was married in 1859, to Miss Arabella Long of New Orleans, and three sons and two daughters were born to them. John East, the father of the Doctor, was a native of Louisiana, born in 1812. He was a planter by occupation, but since the war he had devoted some of his time to preaching. He died in 1886. His wife was born in 1815, and still survives, her mental faculties well preserved. The Doctor is a member of Plains lodge, No. 135, A. F. & A. M. His religious views find expression in the Christian church. In all the vocations of life into which the Doctor has been led he has met with more than ordinary success. He made an excellent professional record during the war which he fully sustained as long as he gave his attention to medicine. His plantation which is known as "Oakland," is a beautiful place, and is in a high state of cultivation.

Contributed 2021 Nov 04 by Mike Miller, from Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Louisiana, published in 1892, volume 1, pages 394-395.