Bio: John L. Oakes, 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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John L. Oakes is a man whom nature seems to have especially designed to be 
a planter, for he has met with more than the average degree of success in 
pursuing that calling, and owing to his desire to keep out of the beaten path, 
and to his adoption of new and improved methods, together with industry and 
good judgement, he is not a well-to-do citizen.  He was born in this parish 
in 1856, being the brother of Reuben L. Oakes, a sketch of whom appears in 
this work, and Lucy, now Mrs. Langford, both residents of this parish.  They 
are the children of Reuben and Margaret (Scarborough) Oakes, the former of 
whom was born in Alabama, and the later in Georgia.  John L. Oakes began the 
battle of life for himself as a planter with but $500, but in the eleven years 
that have passed he has accumulated about 1,300 acres of land, 600 of which 
are under cultivation, a fact that speaks louder than words can do as to his 
ability as a financier.  He has the distinction, young as he is, of being the 
most extensive planter in the ward, and one of the most extensive in the parish.  
His example of industry, and earnest and sincere endeavor to succeed in life, 
especially in the direction of planting, is well worthy the imitation of men 
older than himself, as well as the rising generation.  He was married to Mrs. 
Mollie Collier, a daughter of Richard Cleaver, in 1885, and by her is now the 
father of two children: Lawrence and Tullis.  Mr. and Mrs. Oakes are members 
of the Missionary Baptist Church.

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