Histories

Biographies

• Aswell, James B.
• Bagwell, W. L.
• Culpepper, Robert C. 1914 bio
• Culpepper, Robert C. 1925 bio
• Freeman, Willie C.

• Hawthorn, John W.
• Hood, T. L.
• Ives, Clarence A.
• May, Alexander H.

• McAdams, Jefferson E.
• McBride, William J.
• Mosely, J. M.
• Ramsey, L. W.

• Robinson, Robert L.
• Shell, James T.
• Shows, Stephen M.
• Spencer, Lucius C.

1909 Jackson Parish History

Jackson Parish, established in 1845, during the administration of Gov. Alexander Mouton, was created from a part of Claiborne parish. All this country was known as the "Natchitoches District" when held by France and Spain, and the early history of Jackson is that of Natchitoches and Claiborne parishes. It has an undulating surface of 574 square miles; is situated in the north-central part of the state; is bounded on the north by Lincoln parish; on the east by Ouachita and Caldwell parishes; on the south by Winn parish, and on the west by Bienville and Claiborne parishes. The parish seat is Vernon, a little north of the center of the parish. A small log building was used for the first court house, but it was replaced by a two-story frame building until the present court house was built. Jackson parish belongs to what are known as the "hill parishes.'' The general surface of the country is rolling and rises in many places to considerable pine hills, while scattered throughout the parish are broad creek bottoms, and many springs are found in various localities. Water is abundant and good for both stock and domestic purposes. The largest and most important streams are the Dugdemona river and the Bayous Castor and Beaucoup. The soil is of several varieties, principally sandy loam, fertile in the bottom lands, which are of alluvial formation, moderately rich in the uplands, and yield abundantly. Cotton is the principal crop, though corn, oats, hay, sorghum, sweet and Irish potatoes, peas, sugar-cane, wheat, rye and barley are all grown with profit, as are all kinds of fruit and nuts common to this part of the state. The live stock industry, which until lately was neglected, is growing rapidly owing to the shipping facilities now afforded, and the excellent grass lands of the parish, where stock can graze almost the entire year. Dairying has increased and is a very profitable industry as carried on by the small farmer. Like several of the other northern parishes Jackson is not thickly settled, as railroads are recent. There are no cities, but a number of live and flourishing towns and villages, the most important of which are Vernon, Jonesboro, Chathamville, Hoods Mills, Rochester, Spencer, Quitman, Nash and Womack. Schools are maintained for both black and white. When the parish was organized it contained a population of 5,566, which has gradually increased. The following statistics are taken from the U. S. census for 1900: number of farms, 1,497; acreage, 195,171; acres under cultivation, 55,501; value of land and improvements exclusive of buildings, $462,760; value of farm buildings, $177,700; value of live stock, $237,055; value of all products not fed to live stock, $430,515. The population of the parish for 1900 was 5,915 whites, 3,204 colored, a total of 9,119, an increase of 1,666 over the year 1890. The estimated population for the year 1908 was over 10.000.

(In 1908 a bill was introduced in the Louisiana legislature to authorize a vote to be taken in the parish on the question of moving the seat of justice from Vernon to some other point. A two-thirds majority will be required to change the site and it is probable Jonesboro and Chathamville will become rivals for the honor.)

Extracted 25 Jun 2020 by Norma Hass, from Louisiana; comprising sketches of counties, towns, events, institutions, and persons, published in 1909, volume 1, pages 601-602.

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