Bio: Walter B. Jacobs, Caddo Parish La
Source: From Chronicles of Shreveport and Caddo Parish, Maude Hearn O'Pry,
1928, 
Submitted by: Kay Thompson Brown

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                          WALTER B. JACOBS


WALTER B. JACOBS, the son of Ed Jacobs, was born in Hunt County, Texas;
spent his early  days in Shreveport and received his education in the
University of Berlin and at Washington and Lee University.

He spent four years with his father in the mercantile business and in 1877,
with his father and uncle Ben, founded the banking firm of E. & B. Jacobs,
which  was later incorporated as a National Bank-in 1887.  Mr. Walter
Jacobs was the first cashier of the First National Bank, then succeeded his
father upon his  death, as president of that institution.

Mr. Walter Jacobs also developed the Shreveport Railways Company, was
vice-president of the Shreveport Electric Light and Power Company, and
likewise built and operated the most complete cotton presses in the South at
that time.  He was extremely active in all movements, especially
educational  and civic. When the Hope High School cornerstone was opened
during its demolition last year, the name of Walter B. Jacobs was found
leading the list  for a subscription which gave to Shreveport its first brick
high school building.  This movement began in 1890 and worked to a climax
when, in December 14, 1896, a mammoth mass meeting of citizens met and
subscribed to it. The chairman of that meeting was W. B. Jacobs, he and his
family being the largest  property builders in the city.  In spite of all his
interests, he pledged his property, name and influence toward the success of
that meeting and enterprise, which  vouchsafed its existence. It is thus with
all the other undertakings leading to Shreveport's growth, be was found in the
lead.

Mr. Walter B. Jacobs passed sway, leaving his son, W. B. Jacobs representing
the third generation of Jacobs in the banking life of Shreveport, who is now
vice-president of tile National Division of the American Bankers' Association,
to represent the State of Louisiana.