J. W. Tooke, Beauregard Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller



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Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and
Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 579-580.  Edited by Alcée
Fortier, Lit.D.  Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.

Tooke, J. W., vice-president Lumberman Bank & Trust Co., DeRidder, La., was 
born at Mount Lebanon, Bienville parish, La., Aug. 15, 1875; son of James W. 
and Sallie (Bell) Tooke, both of whom were born in the state of Georgia.  The 
father located in Louisiana in early life, however, and at the beginning of 
the Civil war he promptly enlisted as a private, his company forming a part of 
the 9th Louisiana volunteer infantry.  He participated in the Battle of Shiloh, 
and was with his command in its operations throughout north Mississippi and in 
Tennessee.  After the surrender he returned to Louisiana and made his home in 
Bienville parish, where he served 16 years or more as clerk of court.  His death 
occurred in 1903 and that of his wife in 1905.  The ancestors of the Tooke 
family in America came originally from England.  The mother's family was of 
Scotch-Irish origin.  Seven children were born to their union, as follow, in 
order of their birth:  J. W., the subject of this sketch;  Gussie, now Mrs. A. 
S. Hill, of Lake Providence;  Charles E., cashier of the Lumberman Rank & Trust 
Co.;  Thomas, a practicing physician at Gillian, La.;  Mary, now married and 
living at Dallas, Tex.;  Jessie, living at Lake Providence;  Ardis, in the ice 
business at Arcadia, La.  J. W. Tooke attended the public schools of the 
locality in which he was born.  Later he was a student at Homer, La.  His 
connection with banking business began in 1895, in Arcadia.  In the course of 
his experience he  served 4 years as cashier of the Bank of North Louisiana, 
and following this, became cashier of the Bank of Lake Providence, of which 
position he remained incumbent until 1906, when he embarked in the insurance 
business at Shreveport, La., so remaining until July, 1910, when he began the 
organization of the Lumberman State bank, which began business in 1910, with 
George C. Shipper as president; C. C. Davis, vice-president, and J. W. Tooke, 
cashier.  The bank continued with this personnel until May, 1913, when the 
Lumberman Bank & Trust Co. was incorporated with the following officers:  
George C. Shipper, president; J. W. Tooke, C. C. Davis, J. H. Morrison, W. G. 
Strange, vice-presidents; C. E. Tooke, cashier; J. C. Nichols, assistant 
cashier.  The bank has a directorate of 15 members.  In addition to his 
banking interests, Mr. Tooke operates the plant supplying water to the city 
of DeRidder.  Upon the creation of Beauregard parish by the last session of 
the Louisiana legislature, Gov. Hall appointed Mr. Tooke as president of the 
parish police jury.  He is a member of the M. E. church, South, and chairman 
of the board of stewards of his church at De Ridder.  He served as a delegate 
to the constitutional convention of 1913.  Sept. 15, 1897, Mr. Tooke was 
married to Miss Maude Shehee, and 2 children have been born to their union, 
namely:  Maude, now a student at Bellhaven college, Jackson, Miss., and  James 
W., Jr.