Bio: L. M. Gahagan, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana Submitted by Mike Miller ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** ************************************************ L. M. Gahagan, whose post office address is Vienna, La., was born in Georgia in 1834. His father, Lawrence Gahagan, a native of Ireland, was born October 9, 1797. He was an active contractor and a well-to-do merchant. During his business career in this country, to which he came with his parents. In 1804, his family located in North Carolina and there Mr. Gahagan was reared and educated. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was very wealthy, and during the religious rebellion in Ireland all of his possessions were confiscated. He died soon after his arrival in this country, and his son, Lawrence Gahagan was early apprenticed to the hatter's trade, at which he worked seven years, when he began business on his own account at Athens, Ga. His venture was successful, hut after a time he engaged in the general merchandising trade at Athens. Removing thence to West Point, Ga., he became a contractor, devoting his attention principally to the construction of railroads. This venture was unsuccessful and he lost a large amount of money, and in 1845 went to the West, where he engaged in farming and the manufacture of lumber. Elcy F. Mobley, who became his wife, February 17, 1829, in Butts county, was born in Jasper county, November 17, 1805. They became the parents of the following named children: Antoinette, born December 2, 1829, Lousett, born January 8, 1832; L. M., born in 1834; Orand P., born December 6, 1835; Adeline C., born May 17, 1838; Caroline M., born July 5, 1840; Iseo H., born January 21, 1842; Georgianna, born July 25, 1844. Of these, Orand P. died in Louisiana in 1877, Georgianna died when young, Lousett died April 1, 1870. L. M. Gahagan was reared to plantation life, but early embarked in trading, at which he Was very successful. He was educated at Faimes academy, Georgia. In 1882 he enlisted in the confederate service and was a member of Company K, of the Eighth Louisiana cavalry. He was promoted to the rank of captain for gallant services, and as such served until the close of the war. This company was recruited by L. M. Gahagan and his cousin, Dr. William Gahagan. The latter, who was a very skillful surgeon served through the entire period of the war. Mr. Gahagan was paroled near Mount Lebanon and returned to his home. In 1807 he removed to Vienna and was appointed justice of peace, in which office he served for four years. Mr. Gahagan is a member of the K. of P. and is a charter member of the Ruston organization of that order. He has been one of the most active politicians of the parish. He was elected mayor of Vienna and served in that office for four years to the entire satisfaction of his fellow-citizens. Later he was elected to serve on the police jury, and was a member of that board for a number of years. He was married June 26, 1862, to Miss Abarinth Potts, a native of South Carolina, and they became the parents of five children. namely: Millage, born in 1880; Lawrence C., born December 4, 1884; Florence A., born August 12, 1806; William H., born March 12, 1888, and Thomas A., born June 23, 1863, and who died in 1865. For a second wife Mr. Gahagan married Miss Cornelia Goodwin, March 19, 1872. This lady was born in Alabama, December 9, 1841, and was reared and received her education in that state. They are the parents of seven children, named: Robert E., born December 10, 1881; Susie M., born July 24, 1884, and 0. E. born March 23, 1887. The oldest son is engaged in farming in the vicinity of the old homestead. He has held a responsible position in the custom house, and has served as deputy marshal. William H. is a trader and has been very successful in his business. Edde is a bookkeeper in the National Exchange bank at Dallas, Tex. Mr. Gahagan is carrying on planting on an extensive scale. His principal productions are cotton and corn. His landed possessions consist of three different farms, aggregating 700 acres. In connection with the history of Mr. Gahagan and his family, it may be stated of certain members that Annie married Dr. E. K. Davis in 1845, and died in 1847. Her youngest son died in 1848. Cordelia was born June 30, 1864, and Carrie died August 4, 1864. Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, (vol. 1), pp. 427-428. Published by the Goodspeed Publishing Company, Chicago, 1892.