1925 Biography - John F. Macmurdo

John F. Macmurdo. Twelve miles north of the Capital City of Baton Rouge, and one mile north of the Village of Chamberlin, the fine "Smithfield" Plantation extends along the west bank of the Mississippi River, in West Baton Rouge Parish, the estate having an area of 2,200 acres. Of this large and well ordered plantation John F. Macmurdo is the efficient and progressive manager, and under his administration its productiveness and all incidental appurtenances and provisions are kept up to high standard.

Mr. Macmurdo was born in Baton Rouge, February 11, 1883, and is a son of Major Charles A. Macmurdo and Josephine (Adams) Macmurdo, the former of whom was born in Virginia, in 1831, a representative of one of the old and honored families of that historic commonwealth, and the latter of whom passed her entire life in Louisiana, where her birth occurred in 1839.

Maj. Charles A. Macmurdo was reared and educated in the Old Dominion State, where he received collegiate education, and he was a young man when he came to Louisiana and established his residence at Baton Rouge, where he gave many years of effective service as a clerk in the office of the state auditor of Louisiana and where he was well known as an efficient official and as a man of sterling attributes of character. He served as a gallant soldier of the Confederacy during the entire period of the Civil War, took part in many engagements, and held the Office of major of the regiment which he commanded in many important battles, as well as minor engagements. His continued interest in his old Comrades was signalized in later years by his active affiliation with the United Confederate Veterans. He continued his residence in the capital city until his death, which occurred in 1894, and there his widow remained until she too was summoned to the life eternal, on the 27th of December, 1923. Henry H., eldest of the children, became a veritable "soldier of fortune," and he acquired mining interests in Spanish Honduras, where he met his death in connection with the revolution in 1894; Lulie resides in Baton Rouge and is the widow of Isadore Larguier, who was there engaged in the coal business at the time of his death; Charles A., Jr., an architect by profession, was a resident of New Orleans at the time of his death, in 1913; Tal became the wife of Dan B. Burden, a successful planter, and both died in the City of Baton Rouge; Emmie is the wife of Lauzin J. Amiss, who holds the office of registrar of voters for East Baton Rouge Parish, and they maintain their home at Baton Rouge; James B. is a stillman with the Standard Oil Company of Louisiana, at Baton Rouge; Georgie is the wife of Frank B. Jones, manager of the Fuqua Hardware Company of Baton Rouge; and John F., of this sketch, is the youngest of the number

In the public schools of Baton Rouge John F. Macmurdo continued his studies until he was fifteen years of age, and thereafter he clerked three years in a grocery store in that city. He then assumed the position of overseer of the "Smithfield" plantation, and his efficiency continually led to his advancement to his present responsible position of manager of this large and important landed estate, which has the best of modern facilities, including its own sugar refinery.

Mr. Macmurdo is unwavering in his support of the cause of the democratic party, takes loyal interest in community affairs of public order, and is serving as a member of the Board of Education of West Baton Rouge Parish. At Port Allen, the judicial center of the parish, he is affiliated with Blazing Star Lodge No. 212, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and in his native City he holds membership in Baton Rouge Lodge No. 490, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He still permits his name to remain on the roster of eligible bachelors in West Baton Rouge Parish.

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Contributed 2021 Nov 04 by Mike Miller, from A History of Louisiana, by Henry E. Chambers, published in 1925, volume 2, pages 78-79 and 107.

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