Bio: Arthur J. Newman, Caddo Parish La Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville, 1890 Submitted by: Suzanne Shoemaker ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** ARTHUR J. NEWMAN, assistant cashier of the Merchants & Farmers' Bank, Shreveport, La., is a thoroughly capable and experienced accountant, and has been in the banking business for fifteen years. He was originally from England, his birth occurring in Exeter on August 11, 1843, and is a son of John F. and Caroline (Newcomb) Newman, both natives also of that country. The father was a professor of music for a number of years, or until he went entirely blind, and he and wife are still residents of Exeter. Their family consisted of nine children, four now living: Mary S. (in England), Frank T. and Katie (wife of Frank Quick of England). Arthur J. Newman, the second in order of birth of the four children now living, was reared in his native country and received a thorough education in the very best schools, taking both a classical and scientific course. He also received an excellent musical education at the hands of his father, and this has not been entirely lost, for he has been for years prominent in amateur musical circles of Shreveport and has been at different times organist of St. Mark's Church. He frequently participates in concerts, and more than once in opera, indeed he directed the Confederate Concert, one of the finest ever given in the city. In the year 1858 he received a certificate that he had passed the University of Oxford (England) examination, of those who are members of the University. The same year he sailed for America and landed at New Orleans on January 10, 1859. He came direct to Minden, now Webster Parish, and entered the employ of Chaffe & Co., remaining with this firm until January, 1861. After this he was with Hamilton & Fillmore until April, 1862, when he enlisted in company B, Nineteenth Louisiana Infantry Volunteers, and served until the surrender at Meridian, Miss., on May 10, 1865. He was ordnance sergeant of the regiment and served in that capacity until cessation of hostilities, nearly all of his service. He holds his certificate of service dated but one day before the surrender of his command. It is as follows: "I certify that A. J. Newman, ordnance sergeant of my regiment, has been present with his command in the faithful discharge of his duties during the entire term of service, which includes the battles of Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Jackson, Mississippi, Georgia and Tennessee campaigns and Spanish Fort. CAMP FLOURNEY, Major "Commanding Nineteenth Louisiana Regiment." "MERIDIAN, Miss., May 9, 1865." Soon after the surrender of his command, hoping to return to England, Mr. Newman obtained from his brigadier-general, now United States senator, a letter, a copy of which is subjoined: "NEW ORLEANS, LA., MAY 25, 1865" "I have much pleasure in expressing my high sense of the worth of Sergt. A. J. Newman, Nineteenth Louisiana Infantry, who for the period of the war has served, with the exception of brief intervals, under my command. I know him to be a good soldier and a good man. I commend him to the favorable attention of all of my acquaintances, and can assure his friends that they have just grounds to be proud of the part he has taken in the great American war. "R. S. GIBSON, BRIGADIER-GENERAL." Mr. Newman started for England, but only got as far as Cairo, Ill., when the Government ordered not to issue any more transportation. At that time he had but $2.50 in gold. He returned to his former employers and came to Shreveport with Hamilton & Co., with whom he remained until March, 1868. After this he went with Col. B. M. Johnson, banker, and kept books until January 11, 1874, when he engaged in the tin business under the firm name of cook & Newman, selling out in September, 1875. He subsequently went back with Hamilton & Co., remaining with this company until December 1, 1879, and then was with E. & B. Jacobs, afterward #. & W. B. Jacobs, who organized the First National Bank, and was with them until October 1, 1889. After this he was with the Merchants & Farmers' Bank, assisting greatly in opening the business, and has since been assistant cashier. No man has better business qualifications or is more capable to fill the position than Mr. Newman, for he is one of the finest financiers in the city. Public spirited, liberal minded and generous in disposition, he is one of the city's most prominent citizens and has a host of warm friends. Personally Mr. Newman is a most genial, jovial and agreeable man. Broad and liberal in his views of life and of human nature, he loves his friends and is loved by them. He is a member of the B. A. C. B., Shreveport, La., and was its financial secretary for several years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Caddo Lodge No. 179, and was secretary for this organization for some time. Mr. Newman was married on December 14, 1869, to Miss Lizzie Brantley, a native of Caddo Parish, La., and to them have been born three children: Arthur B., Caroline N. and Fannie G. He and his estimable wife are members of the Protestant Episcopal Church.