Collaboration of Jon McKinnie & Jimmy Dean Like most of Union Parish’s settlements, the community of Haile was settled early in the 19th century by immigrants from Alabama. These pioneer families had disembarked at Ouachita City and Alabama Landing, working westward to what is now the Haile community. Some of the early families settling in … Continue reading History of Haile Community
Jon R. McKinnie
History of Rocky Branch Community
By Jon McKinnie Loch Lomond Landing (originally called Parker’s Landing, operated by John Parker established on the west bank of the Ouachita River ~1820), was one of the first settlements north of Monroe, if not the first. It was located at the junction of D’Loutre Bayou basin and Ouachita River in southeastern Union Parish. Early … Continue reading History of Rocky Branch Community
Long Live the Memory of Linville School (1867-2005)
Written by Jon R. McKinnie 1963 Linville Grad Early studies report that a man named Linville from North Carolina settled in the forests of what would become eastern Union Parish. He established the Linville Trading Post in 1778, thirteen miles northwest of the Ouachita City port. It was constructed on an old Indian trail, later … Continue reading Long Live the Memory of Linville School (1867-2005)
Gravel Roads
By Jon R McKinnie Nationwide, unpaved roads have been cut nearly in half since 1960. The nation, it seems, still believes that the road to paradise is paved with, well, pavement. Which brings me to consider what's mainly wrong with society today? I believe too many gravel roads have been paved. There's not a problem … Continue reading Gravel Roads
Lt. Col. Sidney H. Griffin, 31st LA Infantry
Written by Jon R. McKinnie Spearsville plantation owner Sidney H. Griffin raised a company of men from the northwestern portion of the parish for the Confederate service in early 1862; the men styled themselves the "Sparrow Cadets". The unit elected Griffin captain, and they entered the service of the Confederate States in Monroe, designated as Company … Continue reading Lt. Col. Sidney H. Griffin, 31st LA Infantry
Dr Thomas Parker Richardson, Surgeon for 17th La Infantry Regiment
Written by Jon R. McKinnie Ward Camp Historian Jon McKinnie’s wife, Phyllis Richardson, has an amazing family history of military & public service. Her 2nd great grandfather, Dr Thomas Parker Richardson and two brothers served as surgeons during the Civil War. Another brother fought the entire war (1861-1865) under General Robert E Lee, surrendering with him … Continue reading Dr Thomas Parker Richardson, Surgeon for 17th La Infantry Regiment
Ettienne A Reppond – 31st La Infantry
Written by Jon R. McKinnie Ettienne Andrew Reppond was born in Dean Community, Union Parish, La on July 13, 1830 to Louis & Henrietta McCormick Reppond. Etienne’s grandfather, Estevon Reppond, was born 1765 in Marseille, France, came to Louisiana before 1783, and traveled up the Ouachita River with Jean Baptiste Filhiol in 1783 and assisted Filhiol … Continue reading Ettienne A Reppond – 31st La Infantry
Lt. Elijah Hubbard Ward
Written by Dr. Timothy D. Hudson Submitted by Jon R. McKinnie The birth of David Ward and Cynthia Seale’s eldest son Elijah Hubbard Ward occurred on 13 July 1830, just a few months after the January 20th creation of Lowndes County Alabama from the northern portion of Butler. When he was about seven years old, Hubbard … Continue reading Lt. Elijah Hubbard Ward
A Sharecropper’s Family
Provided by Jon R. McKinnie Written by Geraldine “Jerry” Aulds Howard (17 Jan 1929 – 11 Jan 2009) in 1999 “The Life of a Sharecropper was never easy, but they didn’t know it.” Like most children, I see now that I did not appreciate my parents until they were gone. They instilled in us honesty, fairness, … Continue reading A Sharecropper’s Family
History of the Alabama Landing
Written by Jon McKinnie - 2013 Above is a photo of the Alabama Landing today, quite different from the thriving port in the 1800's (below) In 1541-1542, Spanish explorer Hernando DeSoto's expedition included the first white men to explore this particular area of north Louisiana. They had traveled throughout mid-America from the Mobile, Ala., starting … Continue reading History of the Alabama Landing
Great Balls of Fire Over Linville
Written by Jon McKinnie - 2013 At one time, great balls of fire passed over Linville. No, I'm not talking about the meteor, which recently streaked through the Russian sky, exploding and injuring 1,000 people. I'm talking about Jerry Lee Lewis exploding upon the scene at Linville School. Yes, that Jerry Lee Lewis. The rumors … Continue reading Great Balls of Fire Over Linville
Spearsville High School 1935
My mother, Norma Evelyn Poston, was born in Camp Creek, graduated from Spearsville School in 1935. My uncle, Leonard Poston, sold produce under the oak trees at Mt. Union Baptist Church & passed out little Bibles for many, many years. My mother is on the top row, 2nd from left. She married my father, William … Continue reading Spearsville High School 1935
Shiloh to Canaan 
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