Bio: Capt. James Brice, Bienville Parish La Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville, 1890 Submitted by: Gaytha Thompson ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ ************************************************ CAPT. JAMES BRICE Capt. James Brice is a gentleman well known throughout the parish of Bienville, La., and his life occupation has been that of an agriculturist. He has always identified himself with every interest of this section, and has ever expressed himself in such admirable terms on all matters that he commands universal esteem. He was born in Indian Territory in April, 1825, being the fifth of eight children-six sons and two daughters--all whom are deceased with the exception of two. Two brothers died while young, and the others were agriculturists until their deaths. The other member of the family living besides Capt. Brice Columbus C., who resides in Bienville Parish and is a farmer by occupation. Capt. Brice's father was born in South Carolina in 1792, who, during the War of 1812, served under Gen. Jack on. He died at the advanced age of ninety years. The mother was a native of South Carolina also, her maiden name being Margaret Brice. She and her husband were educated in the old subscription schools, and she died in 1856. Capt. Brice received his education in the select schools of Bienville Parish, La., and during this time and afterward he improved his spare moments and thoroughly fitted himself for the practical and useful life he has led. On January 2, 1848, he vas married to Miss Maria Miller, who was born in Kentucky in 1829, but at an early day she was brought to this section, and her knowledge of books was obtained in the select schools of Bienville Parish. To their union five children have been born-two sons and three daughters: Thomas R. (who died at the age of six years), Ambrose who died in infancy), Margaret V. (wire of W P. Theus, who is a prosperous merchant of Arcadia, La.), Margaret E. (who died at the age of eighteen years, was the wife of Dr. Shehee, of Arcadia), and Emma (who died at the age of eighteen months). Capt. Brice organized the Bienville guards, comprising 120 members, during the early part of the war, and with his company was ,sent to the Mississippi Valley, near Vicksburg, but afterward returned to Louisiana and was joined to the well-known Twenty-eighth Louisiana volunteers, which did service principally in Arkansas and Louisiana, taking part in the following engagements: Camp Bisland, Second Camp Bisland, Mansfield, Pleasant Hill (after which they fought in the rear of the enemy all the way to Simm's Port), and Yellow Bayou (which was a hard-fought battle and the last in which they participated). The company and regiment was disbanded at Mansfield May 18, 1865, the members of which returned to their homes. The Captain has always identified himself with the Democrat party, and has been an active politician, especially in local affairs. He is known to stand firmly on the principles which be believes right and just. His first presidential vote was cast for Franklin Pierce, and he has always been known to be a man of sound judgment; he has been elected to the office of police juror of Bienville Parish. He has ably and efficiently served two terms in the Lower House of the State Legislature, being first elected for 1875-76, and re-elected in 1877-78. In 1882 he was chosen State Senator of Louisiana, being elected almost unanimously for the term of four years, representing the following parishes: Bossier, Webster, Claiborne and Bienville. He served with credit and honor to himself and country, and no more faithful or intelligent man was a member of the Legislative body, for he has at all times figured conspicuously in the interests of his section, his views on all important matters being exceptionally shrewd and sound. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since he was twenty years of age, and now belongs to the State Board of Education of the A. & M. College, at Baton Rouge, being appointed as such by Gov. Nicholls. His holding of this important position stamps him as a man who has the educational interests of his State at heart, as indeed he has. He has been tax collector of Bienville Parish, which is the most lucrative position he has ever held, this being during the years of 1870 and 1871. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and both are deeply interested in Sunday school work. They expect to make Arcadia their future home, for here the most of their interests are centered. The Captain is the owner Of about 3,500 acres of land in Bienville and Claiborne Parishes, the most of which is finely adapted to raising all the products of the South, the average yield of cotton being 150 bales per year. He is a stanch and stable man in character and honor, and is held in high esteem for his sterling worth and integrity.