Bio: Jasper McClure Colvin, Bienville Parish La
Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville,  1890
Submitted by: Gaytha Thompson



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JASPER MCCLURE COLVIN
Merchant
Arcadia, La.


Among the many industries in Arcadia that call for special notice, that of
merchandising takes a prominent place  The town contains several first-class
establishments of this kind, and prominent among them is that conducted by Mr.
Colvin, who is doing an excellent business, which is constantly on the
increase.  He is a native of South Carolina, born February 18, 1853, and was
the second of eleven children born to John P. and Emma P. (Crosby) Colvin,
both natives of the Palmetto State, the former born in 1826 and the latter in
1824.  The children are named as follows in the order of their birth: Susan
(deceased), Jasper Mcclure, Samuel, Della, John, Mina, Lulu, Cora, Ainsley,
Beulah and Fitch.  The father has followed agricultural pursuits all his
life.  He is still living and enjoys good health.  

Jasper M. Colvin obtained his early educational training in the common schools
of his State, but he has improved the are moments and has fitted himself in a
praiseworthy manner for the practical life he is pursuing.  At the age of
twenty~one years he started it as a teacher, and after continuing this for one
year he began merchandising as a salesman, in which capacity he remained for
seven years.  In 1882 he commenced business for himself at Arcadia, La., with
a line of general merchandise, and by his enterprising and thoroughgoing
manner he has established a lucrative trade. He started out life for himself
with but limited means, but the elements to his success have been energy,
honesty and perseverance.  

He was married in January, 1882, to Miss Lulu Calvin, a native of Louisiana,
born in 1866, and they have a family of four children; Willie (a Miss of seven
years who is attending school), Mary Lee (died at the age of three years),
Jasper (aged four), and Alice (who is two and a half years of age). 

Mr. Colvin has affiliated with the Democratic party, and his aim has been to
support men of principle and honor.  He is a man who stands upon his word as
his bond, as is shown by his progressive business in Arcadia.  He was a member
of the city council seven consecutive years, and is also a director in the
Arcadia State Bank, of which the historian has already given a full report in
the sketch of Hon. A. L. Aikins.  It is seen that Mr. Colvin is associated
with the direct interests of his people and home which are the cardinal points
of a good citizen.  Mr and Mrs. Colvin are both members of the Missionary
Baptist Church at Arcadia, La., and they are liberal contributors to the same. 


Mr. Colvin is the owner of several farms in Bienville and Lincoln Parishes,
and also residence property in Arcadia La. His general mercantile
establishment in Arcadia, has an annual output of  about $30,000 especially in
1889.  He commenced business in the old town of Arcadia with about $1,800 but
now ranks among the most enterprising and progressive  merchants of that town,
all the result of energy and good business management.  His father was second
lieutenant of the Twenty.eighth Louisiana Regiment in the late war.

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