Louisiana AHGP

Part of the American History and Genealogy Project

George H. Dismukes

George H. Dismukes needs no special introduction to the inhabitants of Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, for he is the well-known editor and proprietor of the Southern Agriculturist, a weekly paper, which is ably edited, and published in the direct interests of the agriculturist Mr. Dismukes established this live and progressive journal on May 29, 1890, and in the brief space of three mouths it reached a circulation of about 800.

He is a native Tennessean. born on March 13, 1853, being the eighth of ten children, six sons and four daughters, of whom there are seven living: Paul (who is married and is an agriculturist find school teacher of Columbia County, Arkansas), Elizabeth (widow of B. M. Jones, formerly a merchant of Searcy, Arkansas). Sallie (wife of Judge R. H. Howell, of Lewisville, Arkansas), Thomas (who is a Benedict and a well-known physician and surgeon of Walnut Hill, Arkansas), Mark (who is an attorney at law and a partner of Hon. W. H. Jack, of Natchitoches, Louisiana), George H. (the subject of this sketch), and Sue (wife of P. A. Robertson, a pharmacist of Searcy, Arkansas). The father of Mr. Dismukes was a native of Virginia, and was an agriculturist up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was about seventy-five years of age. He (as well as his widow, who yet survives him) was educated in the old-time subscription schools, and although the latter has attained to the advanced age of seventy-six years, she is yet hale and hearty. George H. Dismukes obtained his first educational training in subscription schools, but being fond of his books he improved the opportunities given him, and at the present time is a first rate scholar. At the age of twenty years he began teaching school, a calling that received his undivided attention for about four years, the birch being wielded by him in the State of Arkansas.

He then started out as a merchant, but after a short time resumed teaching, and finally went into the newspaper business at Magnolia, Arkansas, which place was his home for twelve months. He established the Columbia Echo, but afterward went to Haynesville, Louisiana, and gave to the public the Haynesville Star, but later disposed of it and came to Homer, where he could be more centrally located in the agricultural region, and here, on May 29, 1890, the first number of the Southern Agriculturist was issued, of which he is sole proprietor and manager at the present time. He has shown sound judgment in choosing his present field, and the outlook augurs well for his success.

Thus far this sketch has shown very plainly that Mr. Dismukes is truly a self-made man, and that he had to encounter many of the adversities which usually fall to the lot of men who have made their own way in the world. Upon entering upon an independent career, his sole capital consisted of a pair of willing hands, backed by an active and intelligent mind and a sufficient amount of energy to make a proper use of the talents given him. He has met with some hard luck since entering upon the journalistic sea, for while at Haynesville, Louisiana, his first class printing outfit was consumed by fire, this misfortune befalling him two months after starting. Mr. Dismukes has always upheld the principles of Democracy, and his first presidential vote was cast for Samuel J. Tilden. He has been active in his own way as an editor, in supporting measures he deemed most wise and beneficial to the people's interests, and his influence has been felt by all with whom he has come in contact. While a resident of Nevada County, Arkansas, he, in 1880, made the race for representative of his county, and proved formidable in the field, although defeated.

He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and is a strong supporter of the principles of that order. On March 9, 1890, he was married to Miss Sallie G. Lewis, who was born in Arkansas in 1853, her education being received in a seminary of Mount Holly, Arkansas Her father was an agriculturist and an honorable, upright, man. Mrs. Dismukes is a devout and earnest member of the Presbyterian Church, and she and Mr. Dismukes expect to make the town of Homer their future abiding place, where they already have many warm friends.

Biographical Sketches| Claiborne Parish

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