Bio: Maj. J. L. Hargrove, Caddo & Claiborne Parish La
Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville,  1890

Submitted by: Suzanne Shoemaker
sueshoe@hotmail.com




**********************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
**********************************************
 

Maj. J. L. Hargrove, attorney, Shreveport, La.  Maj. Hargrove was born in
Covington County, Hollidays Creek District, Miss., on February 27, 1824,
and is one of the prominent legal practioners of Claiborne Parish.  His
parents; Reuben M. and Elizabeth (Leggett) Hargrove, were natives of
Georgia and of English descent.  The ancestors of both families emigrated
to the United States in the fifteenth century, with the pilgrims, and
settled in Massachusetts with Timoth Pickering, a noted character.  The
Hargroves were relatives of the Pickering family.  The Hargroves and
Leggetts settled in the same neighborhood, but later the Hargroves removed
to Fredericksburg and Richmond, Ba.  There the grandfather of our subject
was born and reared.  Reuben M. Hargrove was the youngest of his father's
family, and was born in Georgia.  He was a mechanic and saddler.  In 1816
or 1817 he moved to Covington County, Miss., and there his death occurred
about 1830.  The mother died in Rankin County, Miss., in 1862.  Their
family consisted of four children--one son and three daughters--Maj. J. L.
being the only survivor.  He was reared on a plantation in the Bayou State,
and attended the common schools of the country, completing his literary
education at Zion's Seminary of Mississippi.  He then taught school for
several years, and in 1847 was elected clerk of the court of Covington
County, Miss., holding that position four years.  In the same year he began
the study of law and attended law school at Jackson, Miss., being admitted
to the bar in 1852.  He then began practicing at Williamsburg, Miss., and
there continued until 1858, when he removed to Brandon, Miss.  In 1862 he
enlisted in Company B, Thirty-ninth Mississippi Infantry, and later was
transferred to Stockdale's cavalry.  He was soon afterward commissioned
captain of Company G, Perrin's regiment, and served in that capacity until
the surrender.  He was wounded at the battle of New Hope Church, Ga., in
May, 1864, by a gunshot through the right shoulder, and was rendered unfit
for duty, but although he retired he still retained his commission and pay
until paroled in 1865.  In 1872 he came to Shreveport, La., and there he
has since been in the practice of his profession.  He ranks among the able
lawyers and first class citizens of Caddo Parish.  He was first married
January 20, 1848, to Miss Mary A. Lowe, by whom he has six children living:
 Mrs. Rosa J. Humphrey, Hardy H., Mrs. Isella M. Gather, Zach B., Mrs. Mary
T. Moore and Mrs. Jennie M. Marshall.  Mr. Hargrove was married, the second
time, on March 5, 1876, to Miss Narcissa Gardner, and they have no
children.  He and wife are members in good standing in the Presbyterian
Church.  Maj. Hargrove pays his attention strictly to his profession, and
he has a good practice.  He has been a Master Mason since 1849, and is now
a Council Mason, being recorder of the council of his lodge.