Bio: James W. O'Bannon, 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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James W. O'Bannon is a dealer in general merchandise at Summerfield, La., but 
also gives considerable attention to agriculture, being a well-to-do and 
successful man of business.  He was born in this parish in 1840, being the 
second of twelve children, ten of whom are living, born to Bryant O'Bannon 
and N. E. O'Bannon, see Nolen, born in South Carolina, the birth of the father 
occurring in Mississippi.  The father was the eldest in a family of nine children 
born to Dorson B. O'Bannon, a native Virginian, and a soldier in the Revolutionary 
War, serving throughout the entire struggle with the mother country.  All of James 
W. O'Bannon's brothers and sisters reside in this parish with the exception of 
Jennie, now Mrs. William Scarborough, who resides in Putnam, Tex.  James W. grew 
to maturity here and acquired a good practical education at Mount Lebanon.  In 
September, 1861, he enlisted in the army, and his regiment, the Nineteenth 
Louisiana belonged to the only Louisiana brigade of the Army of Tennessee 
(Confederate), and served as a lieutenant until May, 1865, taking an active 
part in every battle in which his regiment participated with the exception of 
Murfreesboro, Tenn., and not receiving a wound during the war.  His command 
surrendered in May, 1865, at Meridian, Miss., and this closed his military career.  
His brigade was first commanded by Gen. Dan W. Adams, and after the battle of 
Chickamauga by Gen. Randall Lee Gibson.  After returning home he entered school 
once more at Mount Lebanon and remained there until April, 1867, when he began 
devoting his attention to farming and followed this exclusively until 1873, when 
he opened a mercantile establishment, and to the successful conduct of these two 
enterprises he has since given his time.  He carries a stock of merchandise valued 
at from $2,000 to $6,000, and has established a reputation for honesty and fair 
dealing throughout this section of the country.  His plantation consists of 400 
acres, the most of which is cleared, and on this land he raises about forty-five 
bales of cotton annually.  He is an active Democrat in his political views, at all 
times supports his party, and socially is a member of the K. of P. lodge of Homes.  
He was married in the month of December, 1868, to Miss Lizzie Williams, a daughter 
of J. H. Williams, of Claiborne Parish, and to them six children have been born: J. 
Graves, N. Isabella, James P., Sarah E., B. L. and Randall Gibson.  Mr. and Mrs. 
O'Bannon are members of the Missionary Baptist Church at Summerfield, Claiborne 
Parish, La.

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Editor's Note:  Dorson (Dawson) O'Bannon enlisted in Mississippi and served in the
War of 1812, NOT the Rev. War.  His father, Bryan O'Bannon, served in the Revolutionary
War.

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