Louisiana AHGP

Part of the American History and Genealogy Project

Jesse C. Madden

Jesse C. Madden is a prosperous dealer in general merchandise at Gordon, and he is no less successful in the occupation of planting, to which occupation he also gives his attention. He was born in Harris County, Georgia, in 1837, being the seventh in a family of eight children, the other members being: Martha (wife of Jonathan Chester of Tallapoosa County, Louisiana, deceased), Josiah (who was a resident of Independence County, Arkansas, but is now deceased), Lewis R. (now a resident of Scott County, Mississippi), Mary (wife of William Baldwin of Washington County, Texas), Elias J. (a resident of Scott County, Miss.), Ezekiel C. (of Craighead County, Arkansas), and William (now residing in Gordon, Louisiana). The father, Elias Madden was born in South Carolina about 1794, and died in Harris County, Georgia, in 1839, a son of Richard Madden. His brothers and sisters were: Ezekiel (who died in South Carolina), Elias, Dennis (who died in Washington County, Texas), Nellie (wife of Wesley Cox of Choctaw County, Mississippi), and Sophia (wife of John Burns of Tallapoosa County, Louisiana). The immediate subject of this biography grew to maturity in Tallapoosa County, Louisiana, and in his early boyhood moved to Scott County, Mississippi, having received a common-school education in his native State and Mississippi, his studies being pursued by the firelight at home.

Having come to the conclusion that "it is not, good for man to live alone" he was married in 1860 to Miss Lydia A. Slaughter, a daughter of Joseph Slaughter of Leake County, Mississippi, and in time a family of ten children gathered about their hearthstone: Mary (wife of W. E. Manning of Gordon, Louisiana), Georgia A. (wife of Dr. A. R. Bush, of Homer), Joseph E. (a resident of Arizona, Louisiana), Susan (who died in infancy), Mattie B. (at home), Jesse E. (in business in Arizona), Sallie (who died in infancy), Robert C. (at home), Virginia (at home), and Lelia (the baby, who was born in 1882).

At the opening of the Rebellion Mr. Madden enlisted in Company I, Twenty-seventh Mississippi Regiment of Walthall's brigade, and his first encounter was at Perryville, Kentucky, at which place he was taken prisoner, and was kept there three mouths, after which he removed to Camp Douglas, where he remained three months, being then exchanged. He was next engaged at Chickamauga, at which place he was wounded and it may be here stated that he was never in an engagement that he did not receive a wound of some nature, although they were not serious. At, Atlanta, July 28, 1864, however, he lost his left, band, which ended his services in the field. He has always been interested in the welfare of the Democrat Party, and has always taken an active part in putting forward good true men for office. In Mississippi he held the office of county treasurer and tax assessor from 1866 to 1860, and discharged his duties with undoubted ability, and the entire satisfaction of all.

He is a member of long standing of the Primitive Baptist, Church, and is a worthy, honored and useful citizen of this parish. He has been a resident of Louisiana since December, 1880, and already owns a well-stocked and well patronized store and a plantation of over 500 acres.

Biographical Sketches| Claiborne Parish

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