Massie, Jessie M.

Jessie M. Massie, Clio, Livingston Parish, Louisiana Submitted by Mike Miller

Jesse H. Massie, merchant and lumberman, Clio, La. This name is not unfamiliar to those in the vicinity of Clio, as well as those in the parish, for he who bears it is numbered among the highly respected citizens of this community. He is a son of William and Nancy (Lewis) Massie and grandson of W. J. and (Hall) Massie, the grandfather of Scotch descent. The maternal grandparents were of French descent. William Massie and wife celebrated their nuptials in Richmond, Va., about 1818, and immediately afterward moved to a farm in Kentucky. There the father died in 1843, and the mother in 1871. Both were exemplary members of the Christian church.

Their family consisted of nine children: Harriet, Lewis (deceased), Mary A. (deceased), Walter (struck by lightning and killed), William, Sarah, Jesse H. (subject), John (an infant, deceased) and Jane. Jesse H. Massie received his education in Illinois, and attended the college at Waverly, that state. After this for a number of years he followed farming, trading in stock, merchandising, and engaged in steamboating on the Mississippi river. In 1856 he married Miss Euphemia Gibbs, a native of Illinois, and the only daughter born to Anson and Teresa (Morris) Gibbs, natives of Tennessee. To Mr. and Mrs. Massie was born one child, John L., who is now in Illinois. Mrs. Massie died in 1857, and in 1869 Mr. Massie took for his second wife Miss Mary E. Davidson, a native of Philadelphia, Penn., born in 1845, and fourth of nine children born to Joshua and Matilda (Matthews) Davidson, natives of England. She received her education in Evansville, Ind. Mr. Massie's marriage resulted in the birth of four children: Olive E. (deceased), Ida M. (deceased), Jesse and Josephine (deceased).

Mr. Massie came to Louisiana and settled in New Orleans in 1858. There he followed merchandising and boating for some time. In 1861 he went to Uniontown, Ky., followed merchandising, but returned to New Orleans in 1863 and speculated in sugar and cotton. At the same time he embarked in the lumber business in connection with sugar planting, and continued this until 1871, when he came to Livingston parish. He settled at Clio, where he still resides, and followed sawmilling and merchandising. In connection he also followed steamboating on the lakes.

In politics he is a republican. He was a strong Union man, but took no part in the war. His first presidential vote was cast for Fillmore. Socially Mr. Massie belongs to the A. F. & A. M., the I. O. O. F., Knights of Honor and Knights of the Golden Eagle. Mr. and Mrs. Massie are members of the Swedenborgian church, and all the children have been baptized in the same faith. Mr. Massie has lived on the same place since 1870. In 1869, while a resident of New Orleans, he was elected as alderman. He is the owner of 9,000 acres of land, most all timber, and has about 100 acres under cultivation. He possesses excellent principles, is public spirited, and takes a deep interest in worthy enterprises.

From Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, volume 2, p. 243.