Bio:  George H. Dismukes, 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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George H. Dismukes needs no special introduction to the inhabitants of
Claiborne Parish, La., for he is the well-known editor and proprietor of the
Southern Agriculturist, a weekly paper, which is ably edited, and published in
the direct interests of the agriculturist.  Mr. Dismukes established this live
and progressive journal on May 29, 1890, and in the brief space of three
months it reached a circulation of about 800.  He is a native Tennesseean,
born on March 13, 1853, being the eighth of ten children- six sons and four
daughters- of whom there are seven living: Paul (who is married and is an
agriculturist and school teacher of Columbia County, Ark.), Elizabeth (widow
of B. M. Jones, formerly a merchant of Searcy, Ark.), Sallie (wife of Judge R.
H. Howell of Lewisville, Ark.), Thomas (who is a Benedict and a well-known
physician and surgeon of Walnut Hill, Ark.), Mark (who is an attorney at law
and a partner of the Hon. W. H. Jack, if Natchitoches, La.), George H. (the
subject of this sketch), and Sue (wife of P. A. Robertson, a pharmacist of
Searcy, Ark.).  The father of Mr. Dismukes was a native of Virginia, and was
an agriculturist up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was about
seventy-five years of age. He (as well as his widow, who yet survives him) was
educated in the old-time subscription schools, and although the latter has
attained to the advanced age of seventy-six years, she is yet hale and hearty. 
George H. Dismukes obtained his first educational training in subscription
schools, but being fond of his books he improved the opportunity given him,
and at the present time is a first-rate scholar.  At the age of twenty years
he began teaching school, a calling that received his undivided attention for
about four years, the birch being wielded by him in the State of Arkansas.  He
then started out as a merchant, but after a short time resumed teaching, and
finally went into the newspaper business at Magnolia, Ark., which place was
his home for twelve months.  He established the Columbia Echo, but afterward
went to Haynesville, La., and gave to the public the Haynesville Star, but
later disposed of it and came to Homer, where he could be more centrally
located in the agricultural region, and here, on May 29, 1890, the first
number of the Southern Agriculturist was issued, of which he is sole
proprietor and manager at the present time.  He has shown sound judgement in
choosing his present field, and the outlook augurs well for his success.  Thus
far this sketch has shown very plainly that Mr. Dismukes is truly a self-made
man, and that he had to encounter many of the adversities which fall to the
lot of men who have their own way in the world.  Upon entering upon an
independent career, his sole capital consisted of a pair of willing hands,
backed by an active and intelligent mind and a sufficient amount of energy to
make a proper use of the talents given him.  He has met with some hard luck
since entering upon the journalistic sea, for while at Haynesville, La., his
first-class printing outfit was consumed by fire, this misfortune befalling
him two months after starting.  Mr. Dismukes has always upheld the principles
of Democracy, and his first presidential vote was cast for Samuel J. Tilden. 
He has been active in his own way as an editor, in supporting measures he
deemed most wise and beneficial to the people's interests, and his influence
has been felt by all with whom he has come in contact.  While a resident of
Nevada County, Ark., he, in 1880, made the race for representative of his
county, and proved formidable in the field, although defeated.  He is a member
of the Farmers' Alliance, and is a strong supporter of the principles of that
order.  On March 9, 1890, he was married to Miss Sallie C. Lewis, who was born
in Arkansas in 1853, her education being received in a seminary of Mount
Holly, Ark.  Her father was an agriculturist and an honorable, upright man. 
Mrs. Dismukes is a devout and earnest member of the Presbyterian Church, and
she and Mr. Dismukes expect to make the town of Homer their future abiding
place, where they already have many warm friends.

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