Bio: L. M. Tooke, Bienville Parish, Louisiana
Source
Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and
Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), p. 670.  Edited by Alcée
Fortier, Lit.D.  Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.
Submitted by Mike Miller



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L. M. TOOKE

Tooke, L. M., the able and popular president of the First National bank of
Arcadia, and one of the most prominent members of the banking fraternity in
his section of the state, was born in Bienville parish, May 27, 1876; a son of
John F. and Virginia (Graham) Tooke.  The father, a Georgian by birth, came to
Louisiana in 1842, and settled in Bienville parish, where he established a
mercantile business at Sparta, which was then the parish seat.  At the time of
his death, in 1909, he was engaged in farming, and is survived by his wife,
who is now living in West Monroe, La.  Of the 4 children in the family, the
subject of this review is second in line of descent.  He secured his early
education in the public and high schools of his locality, after which he
became a clerk in the general merchandise establishment of A. L. Atkins, of
Arcadia, where he remained for 3 years.  In 1898 he secured a position as
messenger in what was then known as the Bank of North Louisiana in which
capacity he labored faithfully for 2 years.  The management, recognizing his
worth, advanced him to a position of responsibility, and he was later promoted
to cashier, which incumbency he filled for 5 years, proving himself an
efficient and discriminating executive.  In 1904 the bank was incorporated as
the First National bank, with W. W. Smith, president P. Al. Atkins,
vice-president, and L. M. Tooke, cashier.  Six years later Mr. Tooke purchased
the interests of S. W. Smith, and assumed the presidency of the bank, Mr.
Atkins remaining vice-president, and William M. Deas cashier, and under Mr.
Tooke's splendid generalship has met with unqualified success, and is regarded
as one of the strongest financial institutions in that section.  The subject
of this sketch is a Mason, and has attained the Commandery degrees, is also
affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, and is a devout member of the
Methodist church.  Feb. 8, 1900, was solemnized his marriage to Mary, a
daughter of Maj. S. W. and Sallie (Eaton) Smith, her father being a prominent
financier, who passed away in 1904, and is survived by his wife.  Mr. and Mrs.
Tooke have 2 children,  Mary Louise and  Lou Annie, both residing at home with
their parents.