|
Louise
The
following information is taken from "The History of Louise" compiled
by Nina Pepper.
The
Town of Louise was built upon 408,518.5 acres that was turned over to the
State of Mississippi by the US government uder the Act
of September 4, 1841. It was named for Louise Reid Rainer, daughter
of James S. Reid, one of the early settlers.
"The rich soil of the region was covered with virgin forests through wihich
wild animals roamed and because watefrom the Mississipp River over-flowed
much of the area each year, it was known as the Swamp, and thought to be
infested with fevers and agues."
Early
land purchasers were --
| Names |
When purchased |
| Robert M. Wallis |
1842 |
| William L. Lambeth |
1842 |
| Christopher L. Bennett |
1842 |
| Albert P. Hill |
1843 |
| John A. Hill |
1843 |
| Thomas W. Hill |
1843 |
| William C. Harris |
November 1852 |
| Thomas T. Singleton |
November 1852 |
| James S. Reid |
November 1852 |
| William R. Hill |
November 1852 |
| Susan H. Lambeth |
November 1852 |
Other
early settlers were --
| Name |
Additional info |
| Robert Morris |
|
| Benjamin roach |
|
| J.J. Hughes |
|
| John Woolfolk |
|
| A.G.Bennett |
|
| W.E. Upshaw |
|
| S.R. Upshaw |
|
| J.D. Upshaw |
|
| Sam Pepper |
|
| Zed Pepper |
|
| F.L. Gordon |
|
"On April
28th of that year [1905] a strip of land 100 ft. wide was sold to the Yazoo
& Mississippi Valley Railroad Company [Y&MVRR] by William H. Reid
and wife, Sallie Luse Reid, for $1.00 and the benefits that would accrue.
The railroad brought new settlers and Mr. Reid selected a portion of his
property adjacent to the railroad and laid off a town which he named for
his small daughter, Louise. The same is recorded as such in Plat
Book 2, page 21, Yazoo County, Mississippi under date of February 3, 1906.
With
that portion of land along Silver Creek being in cultivation only a few
acres deep, and miles of virgin timber extending in every direction, it
was but natural that the lumber industry would move into the area.
Barr-Holaday Lumber Company and Bellgradee Lumber Company were soon in
operation. These companies brought hundreds of people to operate
their mills and for whom homes were built in the Town. The little
village was bustling with activity-new stores were built ot accommodate
the trade. The Upshaw Building, Glorioso Brothers, and Holaday Brothers
were brick buildings."
New
families came into the "Town of Louise" and surrounding areas --
| Name |
What |
Date |
| B.E. Kern |
bought the Reid Plantation |
1909 |
| B.A. Holaday |
Barr-Holaday Lumber Company |
|
| Emmett Holaday |
Barr-Holaday Lumber Company |
|
| Ernest Holaday |
Barr-Holaday Lumber Company |
|
| C.O. Houp |
|
|
| J.E. List Edmiston |
|
|
| B.G. Umsted |
|
|
| J.C. Luse |
artesian well drilled on his
property |
1910 |
| F.L. Gordon |
|
|
| C.E. Holaday |
bought the artesian well and
had a contract to supply water to the Town, Y&MVRR, private consumers,
the Barr-Holaday and Bellgrade Lumber Companies |
1918 |
The area
around Louise has been part of many counties. First in Washington
County, just before the Civil War, Issaquena County when it was formed
from Washington and later in Yazoo County. In 1918 it became part
of the new Humphreys County that was formed of portions of Washington,
Holmes, Sunflower and Yazoo counties. *
Citizens
of Louise who were honored by being appointed officers of the new Humphreys
County.
| Name |
Position |
| John D. Purvis |
Deputy Sheriff, later elected
as Tax Collector and then elected as Sheriff |
| Andrew R. Hutchens |
Chancery Clerk (served until
his heath in 1937) |
| B.A. Holaday |
Supervisor of Beat Five (served
over 25 years) |
Doctors of the Area
| Name |
Additional info |
|
| Dr. John Hill |
1862 / early 1900's |
|
| Dr. George Adkins |
1910 / stayed for several
years then moved to Jackson.
Married Miss Willie Smith |
|
| Dr. J.N. Mecklin |
1912 / ?? |
|
| Dr. Hervy H. Mecklin |
worked with his brother for
several years and did research for Drs. Day and Rainer in Yazoo City |
|
| Dr. James T. Rainer |
associated with Dr. Mecklin
before WWI
Married Louiise Reid for whom
the town was named. Left in 1924 when they moved to Yazoo City. |
|
| Dr. J.B. Courson |
Lived and practised in a small
office on the banks of Silver Creek on Mt. Zion Plantation. |
|
| Dr. Barnes |
passed away at the home of
his son, George Humphrey Bares and is buried in Glenwood Cemetery, Yazoo
City. |
|
| Dr. J.A. King |
came from Rome, MS only stayed
a few years and then returned to his native Scott County. |
|
| Dr. H.V. Zeigel |
1953 - occupied a new, Brick,
eight-room clinic built especially for him. |
|
Methodist Church in
the Town of Louise
"For
many years the church was part of what was know as the Silver Creek Circuit.
Most of the area at that time was covered with forest and the people on
the widely scattered plantation, that dotted the banks of the stream from
which the Circuit got its name, were served by the Methodist Circuit Riders.
These men fode coutless miles on horseback, preaching in the home, schools,
visiting the sick, performing marriages and burying the dead."
| Name |
Additional info |
| Rev Green W. Browne |
appointed to the Silver Creek
Circuit in 1876 |
| Rev. Martin Anding Bell |
served 1881 to 1885 |
| Rev James A. Newsom |
served 1886 and 1887 |
| Rev. Wiley J. Ferguson |
Remembered for his wonderful
pastoral work. He made quite an imprint on life along the creek. |
| Rev J.H. Moore |
served between 1900 and 1910 |
| Rev J.M. Alford |
served between 1900 and 1910 |
| Rev O.S. Lewis |
Served as District superintendent
of the Vicksburg District during the years 1943 through 1948 |
| Rev. J.H. Foreman |
1909 to 1912 -- first pastor
of wooden church erected on lot donated by Mr. William H. Reid. All
denominations worshipped here. It was known as a Community Church. |
|
1912 to 1918 a Sunday School
was organized. |
| Rev. M.K. Miller |
1919 - first to occupy parsonage
built by the Methodists |
| Rev C.Y. Higginbotham |
1922 and 1923 |
| Rev. W.B. Alsworth |
1923 to 1925 - "During this
time the church property was sold and a new lot purchased on Ash Street." |
|
In 1909 Mr. William H. Reid
gave a lot for the building of a House of Worship and a beautiful little
wooden church was erected on this Lot which was along the highway and in
the center of town. All denominations worshippekd there so it became
known as a Community Church |
In 1909
Mr. William H. Reid gave a lot for the building of a House of Worship and
a beautiful little wooden church was erected on this Lot which was along
the highway and in the center of town. All denominations worshipped
there so it became known as a Community Church. Little is know of
the church between 1912 an 1918 except that a Sunday School with a large
membership was organized.
| Name |
Additional info |
| Rev. J.H. Foreman |
First pastor of this church.
He remained on the Circuit with Silver City and Holly Bluff for four years |
| Rev. M.K. Miller |
assigned to Louise in 1919
a parsonage had been built. |
| Rev. C.Y. Higginbotham |
pastor from 1922 and 1923.
Durning this time the great Methodist evangelist, Dan Kelly Held a revivval
here and over 60 members were added to the church rolls. They out
grew the church |
| Rev. W.B. Alsworth |
assigned pastor in 1923 and
remained for three years. Sold the church property and purchased
a new Lot on Ash Street. |
| Reb I.H. Sells |
1928 a beautiful brick veneer
building was erected and a few years later it was dedicated. |
| Rev. J.M. Lewis |
|
| Rev. L.J. Snelgrove |
|
| Rev. Fred Applewhite |
|
| Rev. Paul Grice |
|
| Rev. H.A. Woods |
|
| Rev. R.A. Allums |
During the last year of his
pastorate Louise became a station appointment, this was in 1950. |
| Rev. J.H. Cameron |
|
| Rev. H.T. Landrum |
|
| Rev. R.J. Gilbert |
|
| Rev James Willoughby |
|
| Rev. Ray Quick |
|
Building committe for
new church 1923
| Name |
Additional info |
| Mr. B.A. Holaday, Sr |
|
| Mr. G.C. Rogers |
|
| Mr. F.L. Gordon |
|
| Mr. J.E. List Edmiston |
|
| Mrs. C.E. Holaday |
|
| Mrs. E.A. Upshaw |
|
| Mrs. J.D. Sledge |
|
"The
church continued to grow and in 1924 a Woman's Missionary Society was organized
with Mr. J.M Bunner as President. An Epworth League was organized
that year with Miss Helon Holaday, now Mrs. L.D. Schoonover, as President."
The FirstBaptist Church
in the Town of Louise
A
Baptist Church was organized in louise by Rev. A.E. Lucan in 1950 with
a membership of 13. It's growth was rapid. By 1951 a beautiful
little brick church was built the Cornerstone of which reads:
1951
Rev. A.E. Lucas
Deacons
J.A. Joyner
J.K. Stewart
John Cook
At
the beginning both Sunday School and worship services were held in the
church. The congregation soon out grew this space and a new building
was erected just west of the church for the Sunday School. Shortly
after the completion of this building a moder pastor's home was begun and
occupied by Rev. Lucas.
| Name |
Additional info |
| Rev. A.E. Lucas |
Organized in 1950. Brick
church built in 1951. |
| Rev. Dale Holloway |
|
| Rev. R.J. Sanderson |
|
| Rev Hugh Conwill |
|
* A portion of Sharkey County
was also lost to the creation Humphreys County. This was contributed
by Laura S. Royal |
