Rev. T. J. Lites Sabine Parish, Louisiana

The subject of this sketch was born at Forest Park, Clayton County, Georgia, January 17, 1859, and spent his boyhood days on a farm with his parents, Daniel and Sarah (Aikins) Lites.

He lived one year in Alabama and went to Arkansas, in 1881, where he began teaching vocal music. In the fall of 1883 he moved to Rockwall, Texas, and the following year was married to Miss Mattie Atherton of that place. To this union thirteen children have been born, twelve of whom are living.

He moved to Columbus, this parish in 1888, and has perhaps done more for the parish, in a musical way, than any other man; has taught vocal music in this state with splendid success.

In 1894 he was ordained to the Gospel ministry by authority of the Missionary Baptist church at Fort Jesup, and has been pastor of some of the best churches in the Sabine and North Sabine Associations. In 1909 he gave up pastoral work and became a missionary of the American Sunday School Union and has been very successful as a Sunday school evangelist.

He has resided in Ward Four, about six miles from Many, for 22 years and has been an untiring worker for the moral and material progress of the country.

Sabine Parish | AHGP Louisiana

Source: History of Sabine Parish, Louisiana, by John G. Belisle, Sabine Banner Press, 1913.