Biographies: Antonina P. Sookul, 1977, Winn Parish, LA.
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From: November 30, 1977 Winn Parish Enterprise News-American

Mrs. Sookul, Nearly 97, Gives Views on Her Life and World

A little known person in Winnfield is Mrs. Antonina P. Sookul who lives at her
little place of business on South Jones Street joining the Taylor Motor
Company.  According to the best evidence available she was born in Lithuania,
December 20, 1880.

"I am full blooded Lithuanian," she says with pride.  To look at her place of
business today and listen to her talk conjures up pictures of immigrants in
our country.

Mrs. Sookul and her husband lived on a farm near Dodson before World War One. 
Their daughter, Aldonza, was born at Dodson August 22, 1917.  Soon after the
war the Sookuls came to Winnfield where they established a business at the
South Jones Street location where Mrs. Sookul lives today.  

The husband, Kazimieras, and Mrs. Sookul were both tailors.  Mr. Sookul was
also an expert "fix it" mechanic.  According to present day standards the
business did not prosper but the couple made up for it in extremes of
frugality and hard work.  The saying around Winnfield was, "Sookul can fix
anything."

By dint of hard work and saving, they were able to send their daughter Aldonza
to Louisiana Tech where she showed her brilliance in literature, especially
poetry.  This promising young life was cut short when she lost her life in a
car wreck at the Dodson overpass south of Dodson, July 26, 1940.

On her tombstone in the Winnfield Cemetery, along with her picture as a
beautiful 22 year old young woman, are two inscriptions.  The first is, "A
lover of literature and beauty".  The second inscription says, "Beauty remains
and we fact the future bravely, bravely."

After talking with Mrs. Sookul, one feels sure that she was responsible for
these inscriptions.  She believes in education and in beautiful things as
evidenced by the collection of pot plants that she has.  These flowers are
among a collection of things that would seem to be of no value whatsoever to
anyone but Mrs. Sookul.

The business has not operated for several years since she lost the sight of
one eye.  Mr. Sookul died December 19, 1947 and Mrs. Sookul has lived alone
most of the time since his death.  Most of her and Mr. Sookul's relatives are
no longer living.

Mrs. Sookul's mother and father died as a result of the Germans destroying the
small town where they lived.  Mrs. Sookul is not clear about the circumstances
of her coming to America but she was evidently a young woman when she came. 
She was a tailor and she first lived in Hartford, Connecticut.  She later
found employment in Chicago for several years where she had relatives.

She came to Winn Parish and married Kazimieras Sookul.  She doesn't recall the
exact date of the circumstances of how they met.

"I always wanted to go back to the old country.  This country is good, but
those higher ups...," and she shakes her head in disapproval.

In many ways she feels she has had bad treatment in this country and in some
instances it may be true.  She does not profess a religious faith and shows
evidence of bitterness about things that have happened.

But looking at the overall picture she seems to be happier than many people
living in much better circumstances.

"I get my little pension and that is all I need.  I don't have many friends
left and the Doctor says I am in good health.  So what else could I ask for?"
she asks with a smile.

"I read Russian, Polish, Lithuanian, German, and English and speak them pretty
good," she said.  She could find things in some of the old sacks and stacks
lying about over the place with no___ motion.

She still could be a lover of beauty.