Louisiana AHGP
Part of the American History and
Genealogy Project
William J. Field
William J. Field was brought up to the life of a farmer by his father, and has continued that calling with care and perseverance up to the present time, a business to which he seems naturally adapted.
Almost from his birth, which occurred on October 1, 1828, he has resided in this parish, his parents, Lewis and Mary (Duty) Field, coming thither in 1834. The former was born in Chester District, South Carolina, in March, 1799, and in his native State grew to manhood, participating in the War of 1812, being with Jackson in the battle of New Orleans. After receiving his discharge he went to Arkansas, and in that State was married, his wife being a native of East Tennessee, and a daughter of Solomon Duty, an Englishman by birth. After the removal of Mr. Field to this State and parish he opened up a fine plantation, and for some time was a member of the police jury, and held the position of magistrate, besides some other local offices. He was a man of fair education, a great lover of good books, and was also very fond of hunting and trapping, the country at that time affording ample scope for the cultivation of that taste. On one occasion he, with a number of other lovers of the chase, was gone on a hunting expedition in Arkansas for eighteen months, and he often pictured in vivid language the thrilling encounters he had with wild animals and Indians. His wife had two or three brothers killed by tho Indians. She survived her husband several years, dying in 1847. The paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Thomas Field, was of English descent, born in South Carolina, passing from life in the State of his birth, an honored and respected citizen.
William J. Field was born near where he is now living, while his
parents were on a visit here from Arkansas, but he located here
permanently with them in 1834, and here also grew to manhood. He
was also a hunter in his younger day, the abundance of wild game
in the vicinity, no doubt, adding to the taste he had inherited
from his father, and many are the bears, panthers and hundreds
of deer, which fell a victim to his trusty rifle. The country at
that time, was almost a complete wilderness, heavily covered
with timber and underbrush, and log rolling or house raisings
were held with great rejoicings, by the settlers, who were
pining for something "exciting," settlers for fifteen miles
around being in attendance, and contributing all in their power
to the entertainment.
Although Mr. Field's chances for acquiring an education were
very meager, he improved every opportunity, and he is now
considered one of the intelligent men of the parish, and one of
its most substantial citizens. In July, 1861. be enlisted in the
Twelfth Louisiana Infantry, and after being in active service
for one year, was detailed to work in a blacksmith shop, which
trade he had learned in his youth, and this occupation received
his attention until tho war closed. His work was in Arcadia,
Bienville Parish, and after the war he continued there for a
number of years, in 1873 he sold his shop and moved to the farm
where he now resides, which was in a very dilapidated condition.
He immediately commenced to improve this land, and now has 640
acres of as good land as there is in the parish, with about 125
acres under cultivation, on which he has built, a large,
substantial residence, and good outbuildings. He also owned 800
acres of land in Lincoln Parish, but divided this among his
children, all of which property he earned by hard work and good
management, after the close of the war.
He was married in Union Parish, November 1, 1854, to Miss Celia Autrey, a Perry County, Alabamian by birth, and a daughter of Absalom Autrey, one of the pioneers of the State. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Field: William L., Delia (wife of Thomas Rodgers), Thomas J., George W. (a clerk in Arcadia, also assistant bookkeeper and a fine mathematician), Frank F. and Bettie. Mr. Field is a Royal Arch Mason, in which he has attained to the chapter. He is a man whose reputation has ever remained unblemished, and the respect which is accorded him by all classes is fully deserved.
Biographical Sketches| Claiborne Parish
Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana, Southern Publishing Company, 1890
