Bio: John Mercer Sentell, Caddo Parish La
Source: Chronicles of Shreveport and Caddo Parish, Maude Hearn O'Pry,
1928, 
Submitted by: Kay Thompson Brown

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                            J. M. SENTELL

JOHN MERCEIS SENTELL was horn March 2, 1871, at Collinshurg, Louisiana, the
son of N. W. and Lizzie Boles Sentell. When he was twelve years of age his
parents moved to New Odeans where has was educated in private seliao!s, the A.
M. Lesehe Boys School being one of them went to V. M. I. in 1888 and after
receiving his degree there, took a course in business at the Poughkeepsie, New
York, Business School.

     Mr. Sentell's first business life was found in the firm with his brother
in Collinsburg which was mercantile and farming.

     In 1892 he married Miss Maggie Cade of Belleview, the old county seat of
Bossier. In 1894 moved to Shreveport where h0 became closely identified with
the building of that city. He is a man of keen insight, and cool, good
judgment. Hence, it was but natural that he should be selected for the
important position of president of tile Caddo Parish Police Jury to fill the
vacancy occasioned by the death of Captain W. T.  Crawford. Mr Sentell took
the oath of office at the special meeting in September, 1926. He was elected
by acclamation. Mr. Sentell is a man of few words, so accepted the honor in a
very short speech assuring the members that he should strive to do his duty at
all times.

     Mr. Sentell's residence is at Dixie on a plantation, "Cairo," which he
inherited.  The pride of his planitation is the sixty acres of paper shell
pecans.  He also owns Five Point and Levee Bend plantations and manages that
of "Cash Point" for his sister.

    During the incumbency of Mr. Sentell as bead of the Police Jury, the old
Court House built in 1891-96 was demolished and the handsome new one erected.
The laying of the cornerstone ceremonies were held March 25, 1927. The
building of the Court House was financed without the issuance of bonds.

    John Mercer, Jr., Claudia (Mrs. Patten Hawkins), Wash, Margaret (Mrs.
Kenneth Marshall) and Lowry, are the own children in the Sentell home;
while they have an adopted son, John, called Jack for convenience, to keep
from mixiing up the Johns in the family, who was adopted by Mr. and Mrs.
Sentell when he was but seven days' old.  He is now twelve. The son, Lowry is
still in school at L. S. U.

    It is difficult to believe that Mr. and Mrs. Sentell can be old enough to
have eight grand-children, but it is a fact nevertheless and the grandparents
are proud of the number and quality.

    As a plantation man, Mr. Sentell is very progressive. He believes in
making his tenants happy and comfortable. Instead of the leaky, unsanitary
hut of the old pioneer days, nothing but thrift and prosperity can be f6und on
the plantations of our president of the Police Jury of Caddo Parish. Each
little home has its garden plot, chickens, flowers and cow and mule or horses