Acadia Parish Louisiana Biographies and Biographical Sketches

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Taylor, Capt. John M., Biography

The subject of this sketch, CAPT. JOHN M. TAYLOR, Church Point, was born October 31, 1840, in Holmes county, Miss. He is the son of Job Taylor, an eminent physician of Richland, Miss., and Mathilda (Cotton) Taylor. Dr. Job Taylor was a native of South Carolina, and his wife of North Carolina. They were married in North Carolina and removed from there to Alabama, where they only remained, however, a short while, locating in Mississippi, where the Doctor engaged in planting and practicing his profession. There were born to them nine children - six sons and three daughters. Mrs. Taylor died in 1874 and her husband in 1885. At the time of their death they were residing at Longview, Tex., where they had removed several years previous. Captain Taylor enlisted in the confederate states army in 1861. His field of operation was chiefly in Virginia. He participated in the battles of Second Manassas, Seven Pines and various others. In 1863 he was discharged on account of disability. He returned to Texas, remaining there only a short time, however, when he enlisted again in the army, joining the First Texas Rangers, under Col. W.P. Lane. At this time he was second lieutenant of the company, and was soon afterward promoted to captain and assigned to post duty the last six months of the war in Opelousas, La. After the war he engaged in the practice of law at Opelousas, and subsequently became a school-teacher, in which occupation he still continues, in connection with farming. He is a correspondent of the "Times Democrat," "Opelousas Courier," and the "Crowley Signal." He has acquired considerable local distinction as a writer. He was married in January, 1865, to Miss Delia Garrigues, daughter of Judge Adolphe and Delia (Webb) Garrigues. To them have been born nine children - four sons and five daughters, viz.: George G. (printer in the "Signal" office, at Crowley), Delia (a public-school teacher in Acadia parish), John M., Helen, Liso, Henry, Paul, Cecelia and Mary L. Their mother died in 1887, near Opelousas. She was a member of the Catholic church. The Captain owns thirty-two acres of land in the vicinity of Opelousas. He is a member of the Episcopal church. During Governor Nicholls' first administration he was elected superintendent of public instruction of St. Landry, Acadia at that time not being a parish. He has taken an active part in the improvement of the public-school system in the state by the contribution of many articles to the parochial newspapers, urging an efficient school system and the establishment of a liberal and ample school fund. He will continue his labors in behalf of popular education in the future and endeavor to place the school system on a solid basis in Acadia parish. [Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Louisiana; Chicago; The Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1892]

Webb, Col. James Biography

The manager of the rice mill at Rayne, La., is COL. JAMES WEBB, who, also owns a plantation on Plaquemine Brulee and a cattle range went of Rayne upon which he grazes about 600 head of stock. Colonel Webb has taken an active part in the local public affairs since being engaged in business at this place. Before the war he served for fourteen years as justice of the peace, and in 1874 was a state representative of St. Landry parish in the lower house. He was a delegate to the national convention at St. Louis in 1888 that nominated Grover Cleveland for president. Colonel Webb married, in 1853, Miss Nancy Laughlin, of St. Landry parish. To them four children, three of whom are living, having been born, viz.: Rufus C., M.D., Rayne; Hines C., M.D. Crowley; and Laura Bertha, at home. John (deceased) was a merchant of Plaquemine Brulee. He died in 1881. Colonel Webb has given each of his children a thorough collegiate education. His family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, south. [Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Louisiana; Chicago; The Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1892]