Bio: William R. Fonville, Desoto Parish La. Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana, The Southern Publishing Company, Nashville & Chicago, 1890 Submitted by: Gaytha Thompson **** ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** ***************************************************** William R. Fonville is an extensive general merchant of Logansport, La., and by his superior management and rare business ability and efficiency, he has done not a little to advance the reputation the parish enjoys as a commercial center. His established comprises both wholesale and retail departments, and has been in active operation since 1886, although his capital at that time was quite limited. Since that time he has seen the town grow to he one of the best of its size in the State and has aided largely in making the place what it now is. He was born in Attala County, Miss, January 9, 1852, and is a son of Richard and Theresa (Carter) Fonville, the former being of French descent, a native of Tennessee, and the ,latter of Alabama. Their marriage took place in the latter State after which they moved to Mississippi, and, when their son, William R., was a child they moved to San Augustine county, Tex., where they are still residing, the father being a successful agriculturist. He was a soldier in a regiment of Texas infantry during the war but the greater part of his service was west of the Mississippi, River. He and his wife have been members of the Missionary Baptist Church for many years, and he is a member of the Farmers' Alliance, and in his political views is a Democrat. A family of ten children was born to their union, nine of whom are living. William R. Fonville was the fifth of this family, and his education was received in San Augustine County, Tex. When he had attained his twenty-first year he commenced the battle of life for himself, and after a short trip to West Texas he returned home and engaged in photography, a calling he followed throughout the country for two years. He then gave his attention to agriculture until November 1886, when he returned home with a capital of $700, which he had saved, and embarked in general merchandising on a small scale. He increased his business from time to time, as he saw the need of it, and now carries a stock valued at from $10,000 to $12,000, his sales annually amounting to from $30,000 to $35,000, which is increasing steadily and surely, each succeeding year. He was married, December 22, 1870, to Miss Cynthia Stephens, of Shelby County, Tex,, but be was called upon to mourn her death, Jane 14, 1875 she leaving him with one child to care for, William H. Mr. Fonville's second union took place February 14, 1882, his wife being Miss Melissa Potts of Shelby county Tex. To them four children have been born: John H., Cynthia A., Jerry and Jessie F. Mr. Fonville is a Democrat and Mason and he and wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal South.