Bio: Israel W. Pickens, 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 ********************************************** ISRAEL W. PICKENS. Prominent among the planters of Louisiana who bear such an enviable reputation for courtesy, good judgment and hospitality, ranks Israel W. Pickens, a brief sketch of whose life now claims attention. His birth occurred in Lawrence County, Miss., in the year 1832, he being the son of William L. Nancy C. (Gordon) Pickens, natives of Kentucky and Alabama, respectively. His parents were married in Lawrence County, Miss., May 22, 1830, and three years later moved to Holmes County, in the same State, where the mother died in January, 1834. On the following year the father moved to Carroll County, and was there married on April 16, 1835, and in 1841 came to Shreveport, and five miles from that city breathed his last June 6, 1852. He was in early life a merchant, but in the latter course of his life devoted his attention to agriculture. His father, William Pickens, a native of South Carolina, was born December 28, 1777, and died in Holmes County, Miss., in the summer of 1865, aged eighty-seven years, having served at one time as captain in an Indian war. Gabriel Pickens, one of the ancestors of this family, was a native of South Carolina, and brother of Gen. Andrew Pickens of Revolutionary fame. Isaac Gordon was a native of North Carolina and passed to his final resting place in Carroll County, Miss., in 1845, after attaining his sixtieth year. Thus it will be seen at a glance that the Pickens family is an old and honored one, and that they served their country faithfully and well when a necessity arose. Israel Pickens is the only child born to his father's first marriage. He spent most of his youth on the plantation, and received a good English education. When twenty years of age, he commenced a business career for himself, and in 1856 married Miss Mattie Herring, daughter of Williams G. and Martha Herring, natives of North Carolina and South Carolina, respectively. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Herring moved to Mississippi, and in 1848 came to Caddo Parish, settling on what is now known as the Herndon farm. Mr. Herring died in 1849, and Mrs. Herring in 1853. He served as circuit clerk and as sheriff, and at one time represented Carroll County, Miss., in the Legislature. They were of Scotch descent, and to them were born eleven children. Mrs. Pickens' birth occurred in Carroll County, Miss., and to her marriage have been born eleven children, five of whom are now living, viz.: Lula J. (wife of James J. Pickens, of Sulphur Springs, Tex.), Israel W. Jr., John Paxton, Bessie May and Robert Clyde. In 1859 Mr. Pickens settled on his present farm, which at that time was unimproved. This plantation is situated about ten miles south of Shreveport and comprises about 1,800 acres. He has held several public offices; being appointed deputy sheriff in 1860, and elected sheriff in 1861 and 1863, and was twice elected afterward but not allowed to fill the office. During the Cleveland administration Mr. Pickens was deputy revenue collector for the Sixth division of the District of Louisiana for four years. He is a prominent member of the A. F. & A. M., is worshipful master of Land Mark Lodge 214. He has been district deputy grand master two years of the Tenth Masonic District of Louisiana. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and Farmers' Union. Both himself and wife are identified with the Missionary Baptist Church, and are at all times interested in advancing both educational and religious causes. Mr. Pickens is a member of both the board of trustees and board of directors of Keatchie Male and Female College, and a member of the executive board of the Louisiana Baptist State Convention.