MCNEESE, JOHN Lake Charles, LA ** ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ Source: Southwest Louisiana Historical and Biographical by William Henry Perrin published in 1891; page 170. Typed by Margaret Rentrop Moore John Mcneese, Lake Charles - John McNeese, attorney at law and parish superintendent of schools, was born in New York City, July 4, 1843. He is the son of W. And Mary (Beecham) McNeese, both natives of Scotland, born, educated and married there. They came to the United States when young, locating in New York, wher they spent the remainder of their lives. Wm. McNeese was connected with building steamboats. He died when our subject was a boy, as did his mother. John McNeese spent his school days in New York and Baltimore, Maryland, receiving a liberal education. After the death of his parents he removed to Maryland with relatives, and, in 1861, he joined the First Maryland Infantry of Federal troops and served for nearly the four years of war. He was in many of the hottest engagements in which his division participated. At the close of the war he removed to the forntier of Texas and spent some time on a ranch, being largely interested in stock raising. In 1873 he came to Lake Charles, and shortly afterward located here. He beganthe study of law in the office of Judge Fournett, and , after graduating in the law department of Tulane Unicersity, was admitted to the practice in 1886, at Lake Charles, since which time he has practised his profession. In 1883-84 he was connected with the school board, and for a number of years he has been parish superintendent of schools. Mr. McNeese was married in 1876 to Miss Susan Bilbo of this parish. Mr. McNeese and wife are members of the Presbyterian and Methodist churches respectively.