LYONS, Erastus J., M. D., Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana
                    Submitted by Mike Miller


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Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions,
and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 267-268.  Edited
by Alc e Fortier, Lit.D.  Published in 1914, by Century Historical
Association.

Lyons, Dr. Erastus J., M. D., successful and prominent physician of Lake
Charles, La., now retired, was born in Calcasieu parish, La., March 17,
1849; son of John and Amanda (Stanton) Lyons, both of whom were natives of
St. Landry parish; born near Eunice, on Bayou Plaquemine.  John Lyons, the
father, followed the vocation of a farmer and stock raiser throughout life.
 He was married in the later '20s, and moved to Calcasieu parish in the
early '30s, locating near the Sabine river.  His wife, Amanda Stanton, was
a daughter of Malicry Stanton, whose wife's maiden name was McManus.  The
first-named parent was a native of South Carolina, and the latter of
Georgia.  They became residents of St. Landry parish, where the father
followed the business of farming and stock raising.  Later they moved to
Calcasieu parish, where the  same business was continued.  John Lyons
acquired much repute as a stock raiser, and drove his cattle to cities
along the Gulf coast,  including New Orleans.  He lived an active and busy
life in the open, and attained the age of 82 years.  His wife survived him
until 1907, and died at the age of 92.  Erastus J. Lyons, the son,
received the usual public school education common to the time of his youth,
and following this, he entered a school at Jasper, Tex.,  where he passed 3
years as a student.  His academic education then being deemed complete, he
matriculated in the New Orleans school of medicine, from which excellent
institution he graduated with the degree of M. D. in the class of 1861.
Immediately following the completion of his professional education he
returned to his home in Caleasieu parish and there began the practice of
medicine which he continued until 1863, when he enlisted in the service of
the Confederacy, as a member of a company attached to the 28th La.
volunteer infantry, remaining with this command 11 mouths.  He was then
recalled to Calcasieu parish by petition of the people of the parish to the
Confederate government, asking for his release from service in the army
upon the ground that he was at that time the only practicing physician
resident in the parish, and that consequently his services were more
urgently needed by the people of that locality than were they needed in the
army.  It is a fact that Dr. Lyons was the first regular physician holding
a diploma, to practice in Caleasieu parish.  In the army he was an
assistant surgeon, with the rank of captain.  The chief surgeon wanted him
to remain in the army, but he felt that the people of the vicinity of his
home needed him more than did the army, where there were a number of other
surgeons, and accordingly he returned to Calcasieu parish, locating at that
time in the Big Woods settlement, which was so situated as to be within
easy access of three other settlements, forming a triangle.  Thus situated,
he continued his practice until 1879, when he moved into the city of Lake
Charles.  In this more central location he continued ministering to the
requirements of a very large and always increasing practice, until the year
1911, and with most notably successful and pleasing results from every
point of consideration.  In the latter year, having completed a term of 50
years and 4 months in constant practice, the doctor felt at liberty to
retire from further active work which he did.  At this time he is living in
the city of Lake Charles and enjoying a well-earned rest together with the
fruits of many years of conscientious professional endeavor.  Dr. Lyons is
interested in some oil wells, at Jennings, Vinton, and Toomy, but so far,
these have not been at all profitable.  The doctor is a member of the
Louisiana state and the Calcasieu parish medical societies.  He is
affiliated, also, with the Confederate Veterans and with the Free and
Accepted Masons, Commandery, Council and Chapter.  He is a member of the
First Baptist church of Lake Charles.  May 9, 1861, Dr. Lyons was married
to Miss Tobiathia Jane Robertson, a daughter of Ralph and Elizabeth (Lyons)
Robertson, of St. Landry parish.  Ralph Robertson was a farmer and stock
raiser through-out his active life.  Both he and his wife are now deceased.
 Ten children, of whom seven are living at this time, were born to Dr.
Erastus J. Lyons and wife, as follows:  Lillian O., died at the age of 16
years;  David E., M. D., now a prominent physician of Lake Charles, and
elsewhere referred to in this work;  John C., also an M. D., but now
deceased;  Anna, wife of C. B. Richard, prominent insurance representative
and ex-mayor of the city of Lake Charles Mr. and Mrs. Richard have one
child) ;  Albert and  Ralph H., both resident at Lake Charles;  Jerousa,
wife of Harry W. Nelson, of Goosport, and mother of 2 children;  Charles
B., a Lake Charles electrician;  Grace now resident at the parental home;
Maude, died at the age of 4 years.  Mrs. Erastus J. Lyons died June 16,
1914, at the family home.