FORTSON, Edgar H., Claiborne Parish, Louisiana

Submitted for the LAGenWeb Archives by Mike Miller, May 1998


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Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, 
Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 610-611.  Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D.
Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.

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Fortson, Edgar H., able and popular clerk of court, of Homer, La., was born in 
Claiborne parish, June 10, 1874; a son of William R. and Elizabeth (Brown) Fortson.  
The mother was a descendant of a prominent family in Tennessee, and the father 
was a native of Georgia, who came to Louisiana in 1851 with his parents, J. T. 
Fortson and wife.  William R. Fortson was engaged in farming in Claiborne parish 
for many years, where he owned a large plantation.  He is still living at Homer, 
but has retired from business since the death of his beloved wife, in May, 1908.  
Of the 7 children in the family, the subject of this sketch is the fifth in order of birth.  
He received his preliminary education in the public schools of his locality, and later 
attended the Antioch high school. After completing the high school curriculum, 
Mr. Fortson entered the Louisiana Industrial institute at Ruston, where he took a 
business course, graduating in the class of 1899 with high honors.  On leaving 
college he taught school for 1 year in Claiborne parish, and in 1900 came to Homer, 
where he secured a position as clerk and stenographer under Drew Furguson, 
clerk of court, in which capacity he served faithfully for 8 years.  In 1908 he was 
elected clerk of court of Claiborne parish, which office he has held since, proving 
himself an able and efficient clerk, well meriting the high esteem in which he is 
held by his fellow men.  Mr. Fortson is a man of sterling character, a stanch 
democrat, and a devout member of the Baptist church at Homer, in which he 
has been a deacon since 1911.  Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Columbian 
Woodmen, the Woodmen of the World, and the Masonic order, all of Homer.  
In a business way he is secretary of the Homer State bank and a director of 
that institution.  Dec. 18, 1902, he was united in marriage to Beulah, a daughter 
of J. H. M. and Delilah Taylor.  Her mother died in the early '80s, and was 
survived by her father, who was sheriff for Claiborne parish for many years.  
His death occurred in 1914.  Mr. and Mrs. Fortson have no children.

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