Henry D. Foote, Rapides Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller

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Henry D. Foote.  As lumbering is one of the basic industries 
of Louisiana it is but natural that some of the most 
enterprising of the citizens of this state should devote 
their energies to its development, and one of them who 
has achieved signal success in this important line is Henry 
D. Foote, president of the H. D. Foote Lumber Company, of 
Alexandria.

Henry D. Foote was born at Columbus, Mississippi, March 17, 
1883, a son of H. D. and Sue (Walker) Foote, natives of 
Mississippi, where their entire lives were spent, he being 
one of the extensive planters of that state.  Nine children 
were born to him and his wife, of whom Henry D. Foote was 
the fifth in order of birth, and seven of these children 
are still living.  Both parents were active members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church.  Fraternally he belonged to the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. in politics he was a 
democrat.  Not only did he serve in the Confederate Army, 
going in as a private in a Macon County, Mississippi, 
company, and coming out a captain, but his father also saw 
service as a soldier.  The latter was a distinguished lawyer 
and jurist.  The Foote family is of English stock, and was 
established in the American colonies at about the same date 
as was that bearing the name of Washington.  The Walker family 
is also an old one of this country, and the maternal 
grandfather of Mr. Foote of this review, a Virginian by 
birth, came South to Mississippi many years ago.

The public schools of Columbus, Mississippi, and the Agricultural 
and Mechanical College of Mississippi, gave Henry D. Foote 
his educational training. His first knowledge of business was 
gained as "devil" in a printing office, but after he had 
completed his education he went to Atlanta, Georgia, and for 
two years was in the employ of Nelson Morris & Company.  For 
the subsequent two years he was in the employ of the Gulf & 
Ship Island Railroad, at Gulfport, Mississippi.  In 1901 he 
changed his occupation, becoming interested in the lumber 
business at Hattiesburg, Mississippi, in which line he has 
since continued, being located at different points where he 
was developing large plants.  In 1916 he came to Alexandria 
with the Enterprise Lumber Company as sales manager.  In 1918 
he organized the H. D. Foote Lumber Company, which is 
incorporated for $50,000 and of which he is president and 
general manager.  His plant includes both saw and planing 
mills, all of which are at Alexandria and nearby points.

In 1913 Mr. Foote was married to Jeanette Ray, of Americus, 
Georgia, and they have three children:  Henry D., Jr., Ray 
and  George M.  Mr. Foote belongs to the Methodist Episcopal 
Church.  He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Knights 
of Pythias.  In politics he is a democrat, but as his 
business absorbs all of his attention, he has never cared 
to enter public life, so has not sought office.  In addition 
to his other lumber interests he is president of the Foote 
& Tucker Lumber Company of Alexandria, and is secretary and 
manager of the District Lumberman's Exchange.

A History of Louisiana, (vol. 2), p. 216, by Henry E. Chambers.  
Published by The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and 
New York, 1925.