Bio: Allen B. Boykin, Claiborne Parish, LA
Source:  Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville, 1890
Submitted for the LAGenWeb Archives by: Gwen Moran-Hernandez, Jan. 2000


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Allen B. Boykin.  As a man of business Mr. Boykin's name and fame is
coextensive with Claiborne Parish and the surrounding country.  Almost every
step of his career has been illustrated with acts of liberality and kindness,
and in every interest of his section he has taken an active part, and has done
all that man could to aid in a higher development.  He is a native of Greene
County, Ala., his birth occurring in 1831, he being the eldest of five
children born to William B. and Willie (Richardson) Boykin.  The names of
their children are here given: Allen B., Penelope R. (wife of John Cook, of
Moody, Tex.), Mary J. (wife of W. P. Otts, of Homer, La.), John W. (who is now
a resident of Richland Parish, La.) and Sarah E. (Mrs. Roberston, of Ashley
County, Ark.).  William B. Boykin was born in North Carolina in 1803, and was
the only son in a family of eight children born to John W. Boykin, who was
also probably born in the Old North State, being an active participant in the
War of 1812.  Mr. Boykin's wife was born in North Carolina in 1813, and was
one in a family of eight children.  The subject of this sketch came to
Claiborne Parish, La., with his parents in 1849, and took up his abode at
Homer.  Here in 1862 he enlisted in the Twenty-eighth Louisiana Infantry,
Company D, and served until 1963, when he was wounded at the battle of
Pleasant Hill, his right jaw being broken, the bullet that so disabled him
passing through his neck.  He then returned home, and, although he had been
reared as a planter, he turned his attention to merchandizing, opening a store
in partnership with a Mr. Cooksey (deceased) in 1865.  He has followed this
calling ever since, with the exception of a short time in 1878, when he sold
out, but in 1880 re-established himself in business, opening at his present
stand, and by excellent business ability and foresight he has a large and
constantly increasing patronage.  In the year 1858 he was united in marriage
to Miss Jeanette Cooksey, a daughter of Robert Cooksey, by whom he became the
father of four children, only one now living, Lillias F.  He was called upon
to mourn the death of his wife in December, 1860, and in December, 1870, he
espoused Miss Martha Tomlinson, by whom he has three children: Allen T., Kate
W. and John W.  Mr. Boykin has at all times been identified with the
Democratic party, and has taken a moderately active part in the political
issues of the State.  He has always bitterly opposed the lottery system which
has cursed Louisiana for so many years, and has warmly expressed his views on
other important questions of the day.  He has shown his approval of secret
organizations by joining the A. F. & A. M., and in his religious views is a
member of the Missionary Baptist Church, while his wife is a Presbyterian.

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