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




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


===


===JAMES A. MAYS Farmer Sparta Louisiana Mr. Mays is one of the esteemed 
and highly respected citizens of BienvilleParish, of which he has been 
a resident for forty years, and during that timehis name has been above 
reproach.  He was born in Georgia on May 3O, 1844, andwas the twelfth in 
a family of thirteen children, of whom there are only threenow living, he 
being the eldest of those : Miranda (resides in NatchitochesParish, La  
and was the wife of Hon. W. S Crockrell, deceased, who was aplanter and 
who represented his parish one term in the legislature), Martha(resides 
In Natchitoches Parish. and is the wife of E. P Harris, anagriculturist).  
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 
sometime.  He was a planter by occupation and died at the age of eighty-
threeyears.   The mother, Elizabeth (Williamson) Mays, was also a native 
ofGeorgia.  She died at the age of fifty-eight years.  James A Mays materially 
aided a common school education by diligently applyinghimself to his books 
during his leisure time, and thus fitted himself for theduties of active life.  
He started for himself by donning a suit of "gray,"and enlisting in the company, 
''Claiborne Invincibles,'' and was assigned tothe Seventeenth Louisiana Infantry 
Volunteers, under the supervision of Col.Heard.  They were sent to Camp Moore, 
and from there to Corinth. Heparticipated in the following battles: Shiloh, Port 
Gibson (where he waswounded 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 ashort time 
while wounded, and was a faithful and loyal soldier. On September 19, 1868, he was 
united in marriage to Miss Willie A. Pearse, anative of Arkansas, born in 1846, and 
a graduate of Minden College.  To themwere born twelve children, nine of whom are now 
living: Lizzie G. (resides inSparta, and is the wife of Dr. W. F. Beatty), F. M. 
(married and is a planterof Bienville Parish), Henry R. (superintendent of a plantation 
in NatchitochesParish, 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 beenidentified with the interests of his parish in 
every particular. He held theposition of tax collector for some time.  Socially he 
is a R. A. M.  He is theowner of considerable real estate in Webster Par., Louisiana., and 
is respected andliked in his own parish.  He is held on a high plane of excellence 
by all inthe parish, and here be expects to pass the remainder of his days. Mrs. Mays 
is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.-end-