MEGINLEY, B. F., St. Landry Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller


**********************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
**********************************************

B. F. MEGINLEY, OPELOUSAS.--B. F. Meginley, Clerk of the Supreme Court at
Opelousas, is a native of St. Landry parish, born October 2, 1859.  He is the
son of W. R. and Louise (Chacheré) Meginley.  The Meginley family is of Irish-
Scotch and English extraction, the families having been settlers of the New
England States.   The maternal grandparents of our subject died at an advanced
age in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.   His father, W. R. Meginley, was born in
Rhode Islind and reared in Philadelphia; he learned the trade of carpenter and
builder, serving several tedious years apprenticeship, and when quite a young
man came South, and located in St. Landry parish, Louisiana.  Here he became a
leading contractor and builder, and many of the most imposing structures in
this section of the State still stand as monuments to attest the efficiency
that he had attained in his vocation.  He was the architect and builder of the
old court house in Opelousas, which was burned down in recent years also many
of the largest sugar factories in this section of the State are of his
workmanship.  After a life of usefulness he was called to judgment in 1888, at
the age of sixty-four years.

Our subject's mother's family, Chacheré, is one of the old and leading Creole
families of the State.  The descendants of this family have become so numerous
in St. Landry parish that it is impossible to give a fair estimate of its
actual numbers.  It has been the custom for years among them to hold an annual
family meeting  which is attended by from five to eight hundred of its
members.  In honor of this ancient custom, the family has recently purchased a
five-acre tract of land, located ten miles west of Opelousas, which they have
commenced to improve, and intend to adorn with all that art can afford or
taste suggest as the annual meeting place of the family.  As the day, August
25, is the one chosen, and as the celebration of high mass upon the scene is a
part of the ceremony, this spot will become the is a Mecca of the family, and
generations yet unborn may have just reason to breathe with pride and
veneration the names of their thoughtful ancestry who have selected and
adorned the spot.  The maternal grandfather of our subject was born in St.
Landry parish, of French parentage, in 1801 . and is still alive.  He is fresh
for his years and still hitches his own horse, and drives out for exercise and
business.

The subject of this sketch, B. F. Meginley, is a man of fine personal
appearance, being remarkably robust and healthy.  His energy and candor
bespeak his Irish, Scotch and English blood, while he is also possessed of
that manly politeness and suavity of temperament characteristic of the
Frenchman.  Though his parents were in comfortable circumstances, while yet a
child young Benjamin evinced a desire to accomplish something for himself, and
at the tender age of thirteen he became an employe' of the post-master at
Opelousas.  At the age of sixteen he became the regular deputy post-master and
worked in that capacity, with the exception of a short period, until he was
twenty years of age.  He tried farming for a season and clerking for a short
spell, but was not satisfied with either, and returned to his place in the
post-office.  Although he was constantly engaged in business he was a hard
student and used all his leisure moments in acquiring a literary as well as a
practical education.  Looking around for some position where there was a
possibility of promotion, he secured a desk as a copyist in the office of
District Court in March, 1880.  Here his persistent energy recommended him as
a most efficient clerk, and, in February, 1881, he was given charge of the
office.  He held this position until June 1, 1888, when he resigned to accept
the appointment of Supreme Court clerk, which position he now holds.  In the
office of the District Court he labored early and late, until he became
recognized as one of the highest possible authorities to be found on records
and land titles.  Probably there is no one in this section of Louisiana who is
more familiar with them than Mr. Meginley.  In 1885 he qualified as a land
attorney to practise [sic] before the United States and State land offices.
On leaving the office of the District Court he opened a land and notarial
office, and has done one of the largest land practices in the State since that
time.  In connection with his official business Mr. Meginley conducts a
flourishing grocery establishment in Opelousas.  He married, November 22,
1882, Miss Lena Fontenot.  He is the happy father of three daughters,
Constance Louisa,  Louise Aline and  Wilda Octavia.  Mr. Meginley is certainly
an instance of a self-made man.  He has never received a dollar's patrimony,
and is in independent circumstances.  He says he has tried everything but
blacking boots, and believes he could do that successfully if necessary.  He
is a firm believer in the truly American idea that the man lends dignity to
the occupation, not  the occupation to the man.  He is identified with all the
public matters of interest and never fails to do his part in all projects that
tend to the promotion of the welfare of his section.

Southwest Louisiana Biographical and Historical, Biographical Section, pp.
60-61.  Edited by William Henry Perrin.  Published in 1891, by The Gulf
Publishing Company.

Note:  Original source includes a drawing of Mr. Meginley on page 51.