(Editor's note-- In connection with Senior Citizens Day set for May 8, we
are printing articles about various senior citizens in our parish who
still lead active lives, contributing to the civic, religious and
industrial life of the community. The first is about Marvin Trousdale
Limerick, Oak Ridge's Senior Citizen.)
Marvin Limerick was the youngest of six children born to James Henry
Limerick and the former Martha Bentley. He was born in Oak Ridge on Feb.
28, 1885.
His father, James Henry, migrated to Oak Ridge in 1867 after the Civil
War and was at that time 22 years old. He came to the community to put in
a gin on Colonel Gardner's place. It was during an overflow and the boat
was landed at the head of Lake LaFourche. He had to walk many miles
overland at the Gardner place.
Later he went to Monroe where he became employed by the Illinois
Central Railroad as a bridge foreman while the railroad between Monroe and
Shreveport was under construction. While there he met a Miss Martha
Bentley who was living with a relative, Mrs. Trousdale. Romance bloomed
into marriage between Mr. Limerick and Miss Bentley.
The Limericks had returned to Oak Ridge and were residing in the
MacIntosh house when "Mr. Marvin" was born.
Mr. Marvin recalls from his eighth to his thirteenth year the family
lived in New Iberia where his father was employed as a machinist by a
sugar mill. He recalls that the move to South Louisiana was made by train
and the family had to travel to Mer Rouge to board the train for the trip.
In 1899, Barham and West Co., employed his father to build and run a
sawmill in Oak Ridge. Mr. Marvin told an Enterprise reporter that he had
worked many a day for fifty cents a day.
On reaching manhood he courted and won as his bride, Miss Minnie Irma
Baker. They were married Sept. 8, 1908 in the Episcopal Church in Oak
Ridge.
He built a spacious, comfortable home in 1911 and they had two
children, David B. Limerick and Mildred Limerick Loughridge. In January
1913, Mr. Limerick moved to Shaw, Miss, where he was employed. The stay
was a short one as the town with its' board sidewalks was not to his
liking. They returned to Oak Ridge in July of the same year where he has
remained to the present time.
Mr. Marvin said he grew tired of "working for the other fellow" and
in 1914, he went into business for himself. He rented a building which
was soon sold. In 1917 he built a store building on a lot he rented from
Emmett Mott for $100 a year.
He was employed as an overseer in 1925 to run the Morehouse Planting
Co. Finding that he liked the life of a farmer, he sold his store to Will
Carroll. The same year, he leased a farm to work and decided to buy it in
1927. That was just before the big flood and overflow.
At the age of 91, Mr. Marvin still runs his farm of 900 acres. He has
about 200 head of cattle and then farms about 200 acres of soybeans and
cotton. He goes every day to his farm land when weather permits.
The Limericks became leaders in the community and opened their home to
school teachers when no suitable quarters were available. He said at
times, he gave up his bedroom to the teachers when it was needed until
places were made available. When his wife's sister died in 1921 leaving
three small children, the Limericks took them and raised them as their
own. These children were Eileen Gibson Henry, Steve Martin Gibson and
Irma Jane Gibson Files.
Mr. Marvin's father, on his retirement, came to live with him and he
lived to be 90 years old. His mother-in-law, Mrs. Baker, also spent her
last years as an honored guest in his home.
Speaking about his farming, Mr. Marvin said that his cattle have
pulled him through many a tight spot.
Although he has seen many changes in Oak Ridge and Morehouse parish,
he goes along with progress and the present. His keen mind can recall
many things that occurred to bring about the progress of the community.
Every day, Mr. Marvin takes a long walk and visits his friends and
relatives.
On his 91st birthday recently he was honored by family and friends.
He is truly a "citizen" although the classification "senior" is hardly
necessary.
