Bio: W. H. Wise, Caddo Parish La
Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville,  1890

Submitted by: Suzanne Shoemaker


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     W. H. WISE, of the firm of Wise & Herndon, counselors-at-law of
Shreveport, La., has become well known throughout the State as one of her
leading and brilliant attorneys.  The profession of law is one of the most
momentous and important of human callings, and the man who assumes its
practice takes upon himself weighty responsibilities, and although it
brings into play the most brilliant talents, the most extensive knowledge,
the strongest sentiments, moral, spiritual and material, its power for good
or evil is vast and invincible.  The honor of the above-mentioned firm is
about criticism, and the ability of its members places it in the front rank
of the Louisiana bar.  Mr. Wise, the senior member of the firm, was born in
Caddo Parish, La., in July, 1843, his parents being Dr. J. S. and Louisa
(George) Wise, natives of Virginia and Louisiana, respectively.  In 1837
the former came to Louisiana, and located in Shreveport, but soon after
returned to his former home and was married in 1840, bringing his wife back
to this place with him, but settling in Greenwood, at that time a rival
town of Shreveport.  He practiced the "healing art" in that village until
his death, which occurred in 1883.  he was a graduate of the University of
Penns at Philadelphia, and afterward proved a physician of
exceptional ability, and was at all times an active member of society.  His
widow survives him, having borne seven children, six of whom are now
living.  W. H. Wise is the eldest of their children, and was reared in
Caddo Parish, but during his early manhood was put in Hampton Sidney
College of Virginia, where he remained until he graduated in 1861.  He
immediately and warmly espoused the Southern cause and enlisted in what was
known as Richardson's battalion, a Virginian command, and served until the
surrender, acting as lieutenant a portion of the time.  He took an active
part in all the principal engagements in which he regiments participated
and after the war was over and he returned home he began the study of law,
and in 1868 was admitted to the bar.   Since that time he has practiced in
Shreveport, and here his ability has been duly recognized, and he has served
as district attorney of the First Judicial District of Louisiana, and in
1878 was elected to represent Caddo Parish in the General Assembly of the
State.  He discharged his duties in a highly satisfactory manner, and
distinguished himself as a legislator of sound views, and his admirable and
forcible way of presenting them.  In 1878 the firm of Wise & Herndon was
formed, and both gentleman are admirable adapted to honorable prosecute
this most exalted of professions.  They combine a knowledge of law, a power
of advocacy and elocution, a high sense of propriety, character and
prudence second to none, and their extensive practice and wealth is but a
natural result of their individual and confederate action.  Mr. Wise was
married in 1870, to Miss Lina Crowder, a native of Georgia, and their union
has resulted in the birth of two children:  W. H., Jr., and Caro.  Mr. Wise
is a Mason, a member of the K. of P., and he and his estimable wife are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  He was a member of the
convention that met in Chicago in 1884, and nominated Cleveland for the
presidency, and he had been an active  member of the city council of
Shreveport.