Ouachita Parish
LAGenWeb
Adams, Jesse Lucas, M. D., son of J. P. and Ella Lou (Wheelis) Adams, was born at Hillsboro, Ark., March 5, 1873. The parents were both natives of Georgia who moved to Arkansas in early life. They were married in 1869 and became the parents of the following children W. M. a physician at Shreveport; Dr. J. L., Monroe, La., the subject of this sketch; J. M., planter, Elk City, Okla.; L. L., planter, Strong, Ark.; Charles Edward, deceased; R. F., mechanic, Beaumont, Tex.; Emma Orphelia, deceased; Gordie May, wife of S. A. Herren, Portland, Ark.; O. T., at Monroe, La.; Edna Lou, at Hammond, La.; Gussie Estelle, Monroe, La.; John Kell, student. While living in Arkansas Mr. J. P. Adams followed the calling of a farmer until 1880 at which time he moved to Union parish, this state, where he is now living. Besides his planting interests he is engaged in milling and merchandising. Dr. J. L. Adams moved to Union parish with his parents and in his boyhood assisted on the farm and in the mill and attended public school until 1894. In that year he entered Everett academy at Spearsville, La., where he graduated in 1897. Following this for 2 years he taught public school and in 1899 entered Louisiana State university where he graduated in 1903 with the degree of B. S. In the fall of 1903 he entered the medical department of Tulane university where he graduated in May, 1906, with the degree of M. D. He at once obtained the certificate of the state board of medical examiners and began practice on contract at Swartz, Ouachita parish. At the end of 2 years he removed to Monroe in July, 1908, where he has lived ever since, having built up a large and lucrative practice. Dr. J. L. Adams has been president of the Ouachita parish medical society and vice-president of the Louisiana State Medical society, is a member of the Southern Medical association and the American Medical association. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order and to the Elks. He has taken an active interest in his Alma Mater and since 1909 has been a member of the board of supervisors of the L. S. U. Dr. Adams was married Oct. 21, 1908 to Zula, daughter of G. W. Easley, of Marshall, Mo., and they have 2 sons; Jesse Lucas, Jr., and William M. Ader.
[pages 481-482]
Fuller, Ned McGuire, M. D., well-known young physician of Bosco, is a son of Dr. John Nathaniel and Ida (Robinson) Fuller, and was born July 1, 1885, in Calhoun, Ouachita parish, La. The father was born Aug. 29, 1841, where Calhoun is now located, and practiced medicine there until his death, in 1893, having been killed by a runaway saddle-horse. He was in the Pelican Grays from Ouachita parish through the Civil war. He was in the siege of Vicksburg, was taken and held 1 year as prisoner, having several diseases of an infectious character. He was paroled at the close of the war and took up the practice of medicine. In reconstruction days he was very active and became captain of the Ku Klux Klan of the hill section of Ouachita parish. As a democrat he took a deep interest in politics, but was not an office holder. He was a member of the Masonic order, of the Knights of Pythias and the M. E. church, South. His wife was also a native of Ouachita parish, and bore him the following children: Lotta, now widow of J. M. Smith, of Port Arthur, Tex.; Addie, teacher in Alexandria high school; Mattie, now Mrs. R. H. Bennett, of Rob Roy, Ark.; Mande, now widow of Dr. E. L. Wright, of Bosco; John Newton, farmer, of Calhoun; Richard Robinson, mail carrier, of Calhoun, and Ned McGuire, the subject of this sketch. It is thus seen that Dr. Ned McGuire Fuller is the seventh and youngest child of his parents. He was reared at Calhoun, where he attended public school, and worked on a farm during vacations. Having finished the Calhoun high school at the age of 15, he entered the L. S. U. in his 18th year, spending 2 sessions there, and then went out of school for 2 years. He entered the medical department of Tulane university in 1907, and graduated in 1911, with the degree of M. D. Having been licensed to practice the same year, he located in Bosco, where he has since resided. There is no other physician in Bosco, and Dr. Fuller has an extensive practice extending over a large extent of country. He is a democrat, but not active in politics, and lives with his sister, the widow of the late Dr. E. L. Wright.
[page 612]
Graves, James Quarks, Jr., M. D., is one of the well known younger physicians of north Louisiana. His parents were James Quarles, and Laura E. (Blanks) Graves, the former of whom was born in Virginia, March 31, 1832, and the latter was a member of the well known Blanks family of Caldwell and Ouachita parishes, her father having been Joseph Blanks. The elder Graves enlisted in the Confederate service and was with the Army of Northern Virginia from Bull Run to Appomattox receiving 4 wounds 1 of which was a broken leg. At the close of the war he came to Caldwell parish, La., and began planting, an occupation he followed through the remainder of his life. He became a large land owner and stock raiser in Caldwell parish near Columbia and was one of those men who believed in diversified farming and did not depend solely on cotton. He was noted for his industry and, economy and taught his sons the same useful qualities. For 16 years he was president of the police jury, 4 years president of the school board, and 14 years a member of the Tensas basin levee board, 12 years of which he was president. He married in 1871 and of their 7 children, 1 died in infancy, and the other 6 were: Daisy, now Mrs. B. E. Erskin of Columbia; George Frederick, died 27 years of age; Robert Blanks, accidentally drowned, age 32; James Q., Jr.; John William, planter in Columbia; Laura, died, aged 18. Mr. Graves died on his Diamond point plantation, March 14, 1913, a few days before his 81st birthday. Dr. J. Q. Graves, Jr., was born March 17, 1878, at Columbia, and spent his youth in Caldwell parish where he attended public school and in 1897 entered the Louisiana industrial institute at Ruston, from which he graduated in 1901 with the degree of B. I. (bachelor of industry). From 1901 to 1906 he pursued a course in the medical department of Tulane university, graduating in 1906 with the degree of M. D. Receiving at once a certificate from the state board of medical examiners which entitled him to practice in Louisiana he located at Columbia and built up a large and lucrative practice there. In Jan., 1911, he moved to Monroe where he has since followed his profession. He is a member of the Ouachita parish Medical society, the Louisiana State Medical society and the American Medical association. He belongs to the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen of the World, the Elks. At Tulane he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and the Phi Chi Medical fraternity. In the junior year he was vice-president of his class at Tulane. January 22, 1908, Dr. Graves was married to Alda, daughter of William Harrison Holloman of Harrisonburg, La., and they have two daughters: Helen Louise and Laura Eleanor. Dr. Graves and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and their home in Monroe is one of much social refinement and genial hospitality.
[Pages 524-525]
Hanna, Joe, the well known assessor of Ouachita parish, was born in the city of
Monroe, Sept. 16, 1877. His father, John E. Hanna, born Jan. 26, 1840, in
Murfreesboro, Tenn., came in 1843 with his parents to Monroe, where his father,
Dr. William Hanna, practiced medicine for a number of years, and later lived in
Caldwell and Catahoula parishes.
John E. Hanna was clerking in a store
at the outbreak of the Civil war when he enlisted in Co. I of the 3d regiment
Louisiana infantry with which he served through the war and surrendered at
Vicksburg in 1865. He entered as a private but was promoted in about 18 months
and at the close of the war was quartermaster. He served under Beauregard and
Bragg. After the war he returned to Caldwell parish and farmed for several
years. About 1870 Mr. Hanna removed to the city of Monroe and for a few years
ran a warehouse for river steamers, after which he was with his brother-in-law,
Capt. Chamberlain, in mercantile business. Later he became deputy sheriff under
J. E. McGuire during his incumbency as sheriff. In 1878 Mr. Hanna was elected
clerk of the police jury of Ouachita parish, which position he held until his
death, Jan. 15, 1911, and had the distinction of never missing a meeting in 33
years. He was a Mason, a Knight of Honor, and a devout member of the M. E.
church, South. He was long and conspicuously identified with the affairs of
Ouachita parish, having come here when there was no town of Monroe, the post
office being called Fort Miro. In 1900 he was elected assessor of Ouachita
parish and served for 4 years, during which time he installed a system of
keeping records which was said by the governor to be the best of any parish in
the state. In 1904 he was re-elected, but resigned on account of age and feeble
health. Mr. Hanna's wife was Josephine E., daughter of William and Rachael
Reitzell. She was born July 9, 1843, in East Feliciana parish, where she lived
on her mother's plantation until her marriage to Mr. Hanna. They were the
parents of 8 children: John R., Ben M., Mary Louise, died at 18 years of age;
Josephine Eva, now Mrs. R. Monk, of Monroe; Robert E.; Joe, assessor of Ouachita
parish; Martha A., now Mrs. W. J. Crowder, Jr., of Shreveport; Fred, living in
Monroe.
Joe Hanna has lived in his native city all but 7 years of his
life. He attended public schools until 13 years old when he took employment with
the Consolidated Ice Co., of Monroe, for 3 years. Next he was with Meyer
Brothers until March 1, 1896, when he accepted a position in Shreveport as
bookkeeper for Henry Rose. This he held for 3 years and then became salesman for
the same house until June 1, 1903, when he went as traveling salesman for Kohn
Weil & Co., of New Orleans. This he retained until March 1, 1912, when he
resigned to take the office of assessor of Ouachita parish, to which he was
elected that year. Mr. Hanna is a member of the Masonic order, of the Woodmen of
the World, of the Redmen and the Eagles. He has always been a democrat in
politics, and bids fair to rival his father in length of time in public service.
Nov. 12, 1901, Mr. Hanna was married to Eva, daughter of Lloyd Bowers of
Nacogdoches, Tex., and to them 5 children have been born: Eva Elstner, Josephine
Ewing, Martha Louise, Robbie Lee, Jennie Winbish.
[Pages 622-623]
Johnston, Hon. Joseph Egelston, Jr. -- By earnest and persistent labor, Hon. Joseph Egelston Johnston, Jr., of Shreveport, has succeeded in the business world, and has gained the confidence of his fellowmen and the honor of an election as a representative of his parish in the lower house of the General Assembly. He is a native of Louisiana, born in Monroe, Ouachita parish, March 27, 1878, the second of 9 children born unto Joseph Egelston and Annie (McClendon) Johnston. The father was born in Alabama, in 1847, and died in Louisiana, in 1910. He was a son of Silas B. Johnston, of English descent. He obtained a good education, graduating at Tulane university. Joseph E. Johnston, Sr., was prominently identified with educational work in this state, and although the last 10 years of his life were devoted to the successful practice of law he was better known as an educator. In Claiborne parish he was associated in educational work with Col. J. W. Nicholson, now professor of mathematics in the Louisiana State university. For several years he taught in the schools of Monroe, and later removed to Bossier parish, where he served with ability as superintendent of the parish schools, and afterward engaged in the practice of law. The early scholastic training of Joseph E. Johnston, Jr., was received under the instruction of his father, and at the age of 14 he began clerking in a store on the Red river, north of Shreveport, and there remained during 3 years, gaining his first business experience. Succeeding this, he attended and taught school alternately, and thereby was enabled to graduate from the normal department of the University of Arkansas, with the class of 1900. Returning to Caddo parish, he secured a position with Glassell Bros., general merchants at Belcher, La., beginning on the small salary of $35.00 per month. He remained 1 year, and then resigned to become manager of a plantation store, a position Mr. Johnston acceptably held for 2 years, and was then induced to go with the New York Life Insurance Co. For 3 years he was with this company, and in 1904 he was the vice-president of the ''one hundred thousand dollar club." Mr. Johnston is a thorough believer in life insurance and carries one hundred thousand on his own life. In 1906, Mr. Johnston moved to Shreveport, and soon became identified with the business life of the city. His remarkably successful career in the real estate business began as agent for the Queensborough Land Co., of which he is now vice-president and manager, and in which he is the largest stockholder. He is a builder in the broadest sense of the term and the success which has come to him indicates genius in that direction. In Shreveport he is known as the "builder of Queensborough," a suburban residence section, which has been transformed in 7 years from a virgin forest to a thickly populated suburb. When he took hold of Queensborough, in 1906, there were perhaps 5 houses in the entire subdivision--today there are more than 500, of which he has directed the building of about 300, and it is still growing rapidly. In 1912, Mr. Johnston was elected to the lower house of the General Assembly. It was the first time he had ever been a candidate for a political honor of any sort, but he was chosen over a number of contestants. His election was an expression of the confidence of the people of his adopted parish. During the 6 years of his residence in the parish, he had earned a reputation as a man of ability and energy. His record as a legislator is one of which his many friends have every reason to be proud, for he has met their most sanguine hopes. March 26, 1902, Mr. Johnston was married to Lillian Virginia, daughter of John Hardy Marshall, of Shreveport. Unto them have been born 3 children: Sadie Vasti, Joseph, and Jack Marshall. Fraternally, Mr. Johnston is a Knight Templar and Scottish Rite Mason, a Shriner, an Elk and a Woodman of the World, and also a member of the Shreveport Golf and Country club. He has taken a commendable interest in all public movements, and is one of the foremost citizens of his parish. His business transactions manifest sagacity and a strict regard for probity. He has forged his way to the front from the station of a poor young man to that of a prosperous and well-to-do man of large and extended interests.
[Pages 224-225]
Millsaps, Uriah, for many years a prominent figure in the commercial life of Monroe, was born in Mississippi July 22, 1847. He came to Union parish, La., when a young boy and lived there until 18 years old, obtaining his early education there and attending the University of Mississippi, at Oxford, which, at the request of his father, he left to enter business. In 1868 he moved to Trenton, La., and began the general mercantile business with Mr. Flournoy, which he continued until 1885. In that year he removed to West Monroe and established a general mercantile business, which grew to large proportions, his trading extending to sections of Ouachita Union, Lincoln and Jackson parishes. While building up a large and prosperous business he took an active interest in many other enterprises. He became vice-president of the Ouachita National bank under its first charter, and on the death of its first and former president, he became president and remained in that office until its expiration. He organized the Central Savings Bank & Trust Co., and was elected president, in which capacity he remained until his death. He also held large interest in the Monroe Hardware Co., Ltd., Standard Warehouse and Compress Co., Ouachita cotton mills, Millsaps & Co., Ltd., the Whitney Central National bank of New Orleans, and other institutions. He also owned extensive planting interests at Crew Lake. At one time he was parish superintendent of education and took great interest in the subject of good roads. He was one of the originators of the movement to build steel bridges over all the streams throughout the parish. In 1896, when the drought destroyed all the crops in Lincoln and portions of Jackson, Union and Ouachita parishes, Mr. Millsaps distributed supplies furnished by the state, in a way that gave the greatest possible relief. He was a charter member of the Knights of Pythias, Stonewall Lodge No. 8. Nov. 4, 1873, Mr. Millsaps married Miss Mary A. Lockett of Paducah, Ky. Mr. and Mrs. Millsaps were the parents of 7 children, as follow: Edmonia L., now Mrs. George Weaks; Lillie Heath, deceased; Thomas Benton, Louise Getty, deceased, wife of P. A. Atkins; Ruth Allison, now Mrs. W. C. Youngblood; Herbert Uriah, of West Monroe; Mary Aldina, now Mrs. P. M. Atkins. For some time Mr. Millsaps had been in declining health, when his death occurred March 14, 1914. Having been long and conspicuously identified with the material and moral interest of Ouachita parish, his departure left a distinct gap in the community which is not easy filled.
[Pages 552-553]
Peters, Johann Ernst, who has been a resident of Louisiana for more than half a century, was born in Tonning, Germany, May 1, 1832, in which country he acquired his education in the common schools, working in the meantime on a farm until he was 18 years old. At that age he began learning the trade of a cabinet maker, which he pursued for 4 years and the government then allowed 3 years for improvement of his skill and gave this time off the required military service. Following this, he worked for various periods in several towns and at the end of about 2 years he returned to Hamburg and took ship to America. On arriving in the new world he went to Milwaukee, where he worked during the years of 1857 and 1858. He received about 75c a day, and all but $2 a week of this was paid in store orders. A room-mate who went to St. Louis to get work in Sept., 1858, and later found his way to New Orleans, wrote that he had found work at $2.50 a day, so Mr. Peters went there in Dec., 1858. He soon began to work for Brownlee & Waterman in a sash factory near where Charity hospital now stands, and thus he continued until May, 1860, when he went to Plaquemine, to work as a carpenter on a sugar plantation. Succeeding this he did some contracting on his own account near Baton Rouge and from there went to Penniston, where he remained until the Civil war broke out. In 1861 he was in the woods where he cut young pecan trees for barrel hoops, and then he spent 6 months on the Mississippi transporting butter, eggs, etc., from Bayou Goula to Baton Rouge in a skiff. These he bought from the plantations and sold to the Confederate soldiers stationed there. In 1865 he worked on a farm to see if white labor could stand that work, but he advised the owners to keep negro help because the white men would not stay unless they could own small farms. In 1866 he moved to Monroe and began the carpenter contracting business, but 5 years later he opened a furniture and undertaking establishment, which he has followed very successfully to the present time. To accommodate his business, he is now building a large brick store and warehouse. Mr. Peters was formerly a Lutheran, but as there is no Lutheran church in Monroe, the family attended the Presbyterian church. He was married in Dec., 1859 to Caroline Schau, who was born in Prussia and met Mr. Peters in New Orleans. This couple have 6 children grown, 28 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. There were 4 generations represented by 4 couples living for 9 years until Mrs. Peters died Feb. 29, 1912. There are 4 married children, 1 son and 3 daughters living in Monroe. The son is in the furniture business with his father.
[Pages 561-562]
Renwick, Capt. Wiley Polk, prominent in the commercial life of Monroe, was born
Aug. 16, 1840, in Troup county, Ga. His parents were Dr. Nathan R.and Maria
(McCriller) Renwick, the former of whom was a native of South Carolina, who
settled in Georgia when a young man and practiced medicine in Troup county. He
remained there until toward the close of his life, then settling in Bastrop,
La., a few years prior to his death, where he had continued his professional
labor. W. P. Renwick spent his youth in Georgia till 1861, when he came to
Louisiana and joined Co. B, 3d Louisiana regiment infantry, in order to be with
his brother. He was first under Gen. McCullouch and later under Gen. Price. The
first year of the war he was in southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas, but
in 1862 was transferred to Corinth, Miss., under Beauregard and Bragg. He was in
a number of battles, having been wounded 3 times, twice in 1 battle, and in
hospital on both occasions. He was taken prisoner twice by Grant's army,the
first time being left behind on account of a wound; the second time he was
surrendered at Vicksburg in 1863. On the latter occasion, after being paroled,
he came home and remained until exchanged. After that he saw no active service
and was not well from his wounds for 7 years. In 1865 he was paroled and came to
Bastrop, where he engaged in general merchandising for about 7 years. In 1871 he
moved to Monroe and engaged in handling cotton and freight on steamboats and
cars, having remained in the shipping business to this time. He devotes all his
time to the People's Warehouse & Compress Co. and the Standard Warehouse &
Compress Co., both in Monroe, La.
In the Confederate army Mr. Renwick
was a lieutenant and in reconstruction days he was elected captain of a company,
since which time has been called captain. Capt. Renwick is a member of the
Masonic order, a member and elder in the Presbyterian church and commander of
the local camp, No. 182, of the United Confederate Veterans. In Dec., 1862, Mr.
Renwick was married to Margaret, daughter of N. P. Cook of Yazoo county, Miss.,
and they have the following children: Joseph, in real estate and in the dairy
business with his father; Willie Fay, now Mrs. F. B. Seiguine of Monroe; Cook,
in the dairy business; Leonora, now Mrs. H. G. Prophitt of Monroe, La.
[Page 735]
Sparks, Robert Clayton, a citizen of Monroe and prominent in the cotton trade of North Louisiana, is a son of B. C. and Mary E. (Garrett) Sparks, and was born in Cherokee county, Ala., Nov. 11, 1860. B. C. Sparks was a native of Putnam county,Ga. He moved to Alabama when a young man and for more than 40 years practiced medicine in that state. He died in Dec., 1894. Mary E. Garrett was also a native of Alabama, and bore her husband 7 children: Elvira, Mary E. (deceased), Sallie B.(deceased), Samuel J. (deceased), Lelia, Robert C. and Manly A. R. C. Sparks remained in Alabama until 18 years old, receiving his education in private schools and later in a business college at Nashville, Tenn. After returning, he accepted a position with Howell, Vandiver & Co., Rome, Ga., as bookkeeper, where he remained 18 months; then to Little Rock, Ark., and for 4 years was employed in the German National bank. At the end of that time he accepted a position with T. F. Howell & Co., cotton dealers, whose principal office was at Rome, Ga., with a branch at Little Rock. From the latter place Mr. Sparks was sent to Pine Bluff to manage the company's business there. He remained at that place a few years until, at the age of 33, he came to Monroe and engaged in business for himself as R. C. Sparks, Cotton, being a direct buyer for Southern and New England mills. Mr. Sparks was one of a half dozen men who were induced to take a position on the directorate of the Bank of Monroe when its affairs were not satisfactory, and he, with others, came forward and put up money. This act not only saved the depositors from loss, but also preserved a good name for the banking business of Monroe. Oct. 25, 1904, Mr. Sparks, with others, established the People's Warehouse and Compress Co., and he is still secretary of the company. In 1908 Mr. Sparks was one of the four to establish the Riverside addition to the city of Monroe, which is now one of its finest residence sections. Politically he has always endorsed the principles of the democratic party, but has never sought nor held public office. June 27, 1894, Mr. Sparks was married to Mary Louise, daughter of R. J. Nelson, of Monroe, and 4 children have been born to them: Robert N.(deceased), Margaret E., Robert, Jr., James Dilling.
[Pages 574-575]
Contributed 2021 Nov 04 by Mike Miller, from Louisiana: Comprising Sketches, edited by Alcee Fortier, published in 1914, volume 3.
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This page was last updated
09/22/2026