LEOPOLD CASPARI, Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by: Gaytha Carver Thompson
Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville,  1890



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LEOPOLD CASPARI

Hon. Leopold Caspari, president and general manager of the Natchitoches
Railroad Company, was originally from France, where his birth occurred July
28, 1830, and is a son of David and Charlotta (Baruch) Caspari, natives also
of France, the father born in 1800 and the mother in 1802.  The parents both
died in their native country, the former in 1873 and the latter in 1844.

Hon. Leopold Caspari, the eldest of six children, three now living, was
educated in the land of his birth, and served two and a half years as an
apprentice in a dry goods store prior to the Revolution of 1848.  In 1849 he
came to the United States, settled in Natchitoches Parish, La., and embarked
in merchandising at Cloutierville, where he continued until 1858, after which
he removed to Natchitoches.  There he carried on merchandising and farming
very successfully.  In 1861 he joined the Pelican Rangers No. J, and entered
the ranks with the title of second lieutenant.  Subsequently he was
commissioned captain and served the Confederacy faithfully and well for nearly
four years.

Mr. Caspari was one of the leading spirits in the building of the railroad
from this town, and has been president of the road since its construction.  He
is one of the most enterprising men in this part of the State.  He affiliates
with the Democratic party in his political views, and in 1884 was elected to
the General Assembly from this parish and re elected in 1888.  In 1884 he was
instrumental in passing a bill for the establishment of the State Normal
School at Natchitoches.   During his legislative career he took an active
part.  For eight years he has been a member of the public school board, and
for four years was officially connected with the State Normal School, and he
has ever been interested in all enterprises for the good of the parish.

He was married in 1862, to Miss Amanda Woods, who was born in this parish, and
who died in 1883.  Nine children were born of this union: Richard L., Samuel,
Joseph, David, Emanuel, Charles, Gustave, Julia and Dora.  Mr. Caspari is a
member of the A. L. of H. the K. of P., and of the B'nai Brith, a Jewish
order.  He is a first class citizen and representative man of this part of the
State.