Louisiana AHGP

Part of the American History and Genealogy Project

James W. O'Bannon

James W. O'Bannon is a dealer in general merchandise at Summerfield, Louisiana, but also gives considerable attention to agriculture, being a well to do and successful man of business. He was born in this parish in 1840, being the second of twelve children, ten of whom are living, born to Bryant O'Bannon and N. E. O'Bannon, nee Nolen, born in South Carolina, the birth of the father occurring in Mississippi. The father was the eldest in a family of nine children born to Dotson B. O'Bannon, a native Virginian, and a soldier in the Revolutionary War, serving throughout the entire struggle with the mother country. All of James W. O'Bannon's brothers and sisters reside in this parish with the exception of Jennie, now Mrs. William Scarborough, who resides at, Putnam, Texas.

James W. grew to maturity here and acquired a good practical education at Mount Lebanon. In September, 1801, he enlisted in the army, and his regiment, the Nineteenth Louisiana belonged to the only Louisiana brigade of the Army of Tennessee (Confederate), and served as a lieutenant until May, 1865, taking an active part in every battle in which his regiment participated with the exception of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and not receiving a wound during the war. His command surrendered in May, 1865, at Meridian, Mississippi, and this closed his military career. His brigade was first commanded by Gen. Dan W. Adams, and after the battle of Chickamauga by Gen. Randall Lee Gibson. After returning home he entered school once more at Mount Lebanon and remained there until April, 1807, when he began devoting his attention to farming and followed this exclusively until 1873, when he opened a mercantile establishment, and to the successful conduct of these two enterprises he has since given his time. He carries a stock of merchandise valued at from $2,000 to $6,000, and has established a reputation for honesty and fair dealing throughout this section of the country. His plantation consists of 400 acres, the most of which is cleared, and on this land he raises about forty-five bales of cotton annually.

He is an active Democrat in his political views, at all times supports his party, and socially is a member of the K. of P. lodge at Homer. He was married in the month of December, 1808, to Miss Lizzie Williams, a daughter of J. H. Williams, of Claiborne Parish, and to them six children have been born: J. Graves, N. Isabella, James P., Sarah E., B. L. and Randall Gibson. Mr. and Mrs. O'Bannon are members of the Missionary Baptist Church at Summerfield, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana.

Biographical Sketches| Claiborne Parish

Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana, Southern Publishing Company, 1890