Bio: James A. Mays, Bienville & Webster Parish Louisiana
Submitted by: Kay Thompson Brown
Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville,  1890
Date: Oct. 1998



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JAMES A. MAYS

Farmer

Sparta Louisiana


Mr. Mays is one of the esteemed and highly respected citizens of Bienville

Parish, of which he has been a resident for forty years, and during that time

his name has been above reproach.  He was born in Georgia on May 3O, 1844, and

was the twelfth in a family of thirteen children, of whom there are only three

now living, he being the eldest of those : Miranda (resides in Natchitoches

Parish, La  and was the wife of Hon. W. S Crockrell, deceased, who was a

planter and who represented his parish one term in the legislature), Martha

(resides In Natchitoches Parish. and is the wife of E. P Harris, an

agriculturist).  



The father of this family, Wil1iam O. Mays, was born in Georgia, but when

grown moved to Bienville Parish, La., and was treasurer of the same for some

time.  He was a planter by occupation and died at the age of eighty-three

years.   The mother, Elizabeth (Williamson) Mays, was also a native of

Georgia.  She died at the age of fifty-eight years.  



James A Mays materially aided a common school education by diligently applying

himself to his books during his leisure time, and thus fitted himself for the

duties of active life.  He started for himself by donning a suit of "gray,"

and enlisting in the company, ''Claiborne Invincibles,'' and was assigned to

the Seventeenth Louisiana Infantry Volunteers, under the supervision of Col.

Heard.  They were sent to Camp Moore, and from there to Corinth. He

participated in the following battles: Shiloh, Port Gibson (where he was

wounded in the right arm and disabled for a short time), siege of Vicksburg

(lasting forty-eight days, and where the regiment was surrendered). Mr. Mays

was in constant service during the four years he was in the army, except a

short time while wounded, and was a faithful and loyal soldier. 



On September 19, 1868, he was united in marriage to Miss Willie A. Pearse, a

native of Arkansas, born in 1846, and a graduate of Minden College.  To them

were born twelve children, nine of whom are now living: Lizzie G. (resides in

Sparta, and is the wife of Dr. W. F. Beatty), F. M. (married and is a planter

of Bienville Parish), Henry R. (superintendent of a plantation in Natchitoches

Parish, La.), William C. (at home), Jim Fritz, Annie G., Drew (a daughter),

Gus (a daughter), and George Monk (also a daughter).  



In his political views Mr. Mays is strictly Democratic, and has been

identified with the interests of his parish in every particular. He held the

position of tax collector for some time.  Socially he is a R. A. M.  He is the

owner of considerable real estate in Webster Par., Louisiana., and is respected and

liked in his own parish.  He is held on a high plane of excellence by all in

the parish, and here be expects to pass the remainder of his days. 



Mrs. Mays is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.



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