Jesse Earl Cupples, Clearfield Co., PA., then Caddo Parish, Louisiana

Submitted by Mike Miller
Date: 1999-2000




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Jesse Earl Cupples.  The development of the agricultural resources of 

Louisiana, more particularly within the recent past, has done much to 

give the state secure vantage as one of the most progressive-commonwealths 

of the South, and the progress along these lines has kept full pace 

with the marvelous development of the other resources of the state.



Among those who have had a prominent and active part in this particular 

field of activity is Jesse Earl Cupples, recognized as one of the most 

progressive as well as one of the most extensive planters of the state, 

owning and operating forty-five hundred acres in Caddo and Concordia 

parishes, maintaining his residence and operating headquarters at 

Robson.  His success is not based alone upon extent of acreage, for 

he is a close student of advanced scientific methods, such as soil 

analysis and proper cultivation, and his operations are conducted with 

due regard for the most modern principles of intensive cultivation, 

carried on with the aid of a full equipment of tractors and other labor

 saving machinery.



Mr. Cupples is a native of Pennsylvania, he having been born in Clearfield 

County of that state April 9, 1880, a son of James R. and Susan (Wise) 

Cupples.  His younger years were spent in his native county, where he 

attended the district schools, in the meanwhile assisting in the work 

on the home farm, his father being a prominent farmer, as well as being

 also engaged in business as a contractor and builder.



In 1900 Mr. Cupples came to Louisiana, which state has since been his 

home.  He accepted a position as manager of a plantation store on 

Harts Island, remaining there until January 1, 1903, at which time he 

formed an association with the late Captain W. V. Robson, accepting the 

management of the merchandising department of the Robson interests.  

Subsequently he was given the general management of the entire business, 

including the planting interests as well as the merchandising, and 

continued in this capacity until the death of Captain Robson, and also 

during the administration of the estate, until 1918.  In the year last 

mentioned he purchased the plantation interests which have since been 

conducted under the name of J. E. Cupples & Son.



August 4, 1904, Mr. Cupples married Miss Lotus Daniels Robson, a daughter 

of Captain W. V. Robinson, and to this union there was born a son, 

Earl Robson Cupples, who graduated, with the rank 01 first lieutenant, 

from Culver Military Academy, class of 1925.  He is also associated 

with his father in business.  Mrs. Cupples died November 16, 1906.



Mr. Cupples has always been an advocate an supporter of those movements

 which make for the advancement and betterment of the state and community, 

and is a willing contributor of both his means and his time in the furtherance 

thereof, is at present a member of the finance committee of the Caddo Parish 

Police Jury, and has served continuously since 1916 as postmaster at Robson.



He is president of the Cupples-Lonergan Company, wholesale dealers in auto 

supplies at Shreveport, and is a member of the Shreveport Chamber of 

Commerce and of the Rotary Club.  In fraternal circles he is a thirty-

second degree Scottish Rite Mason, and a member of El Karubah Temple, 

Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.



A History of Louisiana, (vol. 2), pp. 148-149, by Henry E. Chambers.  

Published by The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, 1925.