Sam Willer and Agudath Achim

The Samuel and Sarah Willer Family, 1926. Seated, left to right: Rosa W. Gamm, Sarah and
Samuel Willer, and Goldye W. Watner. Standing, left: Ethel W. Eltis, Clara W. Groner, Lazarus
Willer, and Rachel W. Braunig.

Sam Willer’s naturalization documents reveal that he immigrated to the United States in 1885 from Russia-Poland. According to an interview with two of his grandchildren, Willer left his home country because he did not want to serve in the Russian Army. He left his wife and four children and set sail for America, where he would establish a new home for his family. With his uncle, B. Willer, living in Shreveport, it was logical for him to come here.

When Willer first arrived, he started out peddling goods, buying merchandise in Shreveport, and traveling into the rural areas of Caddo and Bossier selling his wares. After four years of living on separate continents, Willer was finally able to bring his family to live in their new home in Benton. He purchased land in Benton, built a home, and farmed the land, growing cotton, and raising cattle. And he also built and ran a general merchandise store, S. Willer & Son.

In Bossier, Willer is most famous for chartering a steamboat to fetch supplies for those stranded in Benton during the 1892 flooding of the Red River. But, he is also known in the Jewish community as having an instrumental role in the organization of the Agudath Achim Synagogue in Shreveport, which is still serving the local Jewish community today. While Bossier Parish had their fair share of Jewish residents, the overwhelming majority lived in Shreveport, which is why this part of Sam Willer’s story is on the other side of the river.

It all began when he joined a small group, comprised of five practicing Orthodox families in Shreveport, called Beth El. The significance of his joining the group is that he made it possible for them to form a minyan. A minyan is a quorum of ten men (or in some synagogues, men and women) over the age of 13 required for traditional Jewish public worship.

At the same time, there was another small Orthodox congregation in Shreveport by the name of Beth Joseph. These two groups realized that there is strength in numbers, and they joined together to form Agudath Achim in 1902. According to the Encyclopedia of Southern Jewish Communities, “In 1904, the congregation began construction of a new synagogue, but work was soon halted due to one of the outbreaks of yellow fever that frequently plagued the city. The strain of the epidemic posed a serious challenge to the new congregation’s synagogue construction project. At the height of the epidemic, trains were forbidden to enter or leave the city, and health officials fumigated every home in the town. The small community lost members, and those remaining lacked the funds to continue the synagogue construction project.”

“In this period of great trial, the citizens of Shreveport exemplified the spirit of solidarity and friendship that often arises from adversity. When news spread of Agudath Achim’s setbacks, Jews and Christians from across the city stepped forward to provide the needed funds. On September 8, 1905, much of the town crowded into Agudath Achim’s ‘magnificent edifice’ to participate in the new synagogue’s consecration service. Speakers included Agudath Achim’s Rabbi H. Wolenski and Shreveport Mayor Andrew Querbes. The crowd also included city council members, members of the Reform B’nai Zion Congregation, the Catholic chief of the Shreveport Fire Department, and many prominent local figures.”

Their first building was located at the corner of Fannin and McNeill Streets. As the congregation grew, they built a new synagogue in 1938 at Line Avenue and Margaret Place, which is now Rutherford House. In 1980, they built their third and current synagogue, which is on Village Green Drive in South Shreveport.

Before the formation of Agudath Achim, the members of Beth El pooled their monies together, and they purchased land for an orthodox Jewish cemetery located at Walnut and Yale Streets in the Allendale neighborhood of Shreveport. When the two groups formed Agudath Achim, the new combined congregation, which totaled 58 original members, assumed ownership of the Orthodox burial grounds, which became known as Agudath Achim Cemetery. Sam and Sarah Willer are buried there, along with other pioneering families of the area. 

By: Amy Robertson

History Center Virtual Tour

Join us on a quick behind-the-scenes tour of our History Center's collections storage space. We'll be bringing you more virtual tours and highlighting some of the more interesting episodes from Bossier Parish history on upcoming videos!

Click here to watch the video on Youtube.

Dr. Paul Lawrence: Man of Many Hats

Dr. Paul Lawrence C. 1890
Emma Pattillo Collection: 0000.003.040

Dr. Paul Lawrence is remembered as the one-legged, horseback doctor of Haughton. Though he served this rural community for fifty years as a doctor, it is not how he made his living. That is because during the 19th Century, doctors, especially frontier doctors in rural areas, were rarely paid in cash. Instead, they were often paid in-kind with whatever produce, services or goods were available to the patient. Because of this, he was a man of many hats.

Lawrence first came to Bossier Parish in 1851, when he was only twelve-years-old, moving here from Mississippi with his family. He obtained his education from Fillmore Academy. Then, in the fall of 1860, Lawrence began his medical studies in New Orleans at the University of Louisiana, known today as Tulane University.

With tensions rising between the states, he came home in Dec. 1861 and enlisted in the Robin Greys, a Bossier Parish company of the 19th Louisiana Infantry, Company B, The Army of Tennessee. The Army of Tennessee was the principal Confederate army operating between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River.

During the Civil War, Lawrence sustained two injuries, one to the shoulder in 1863. After a six-month recovery, he rejoined his company, and two months later, he suffered an injury that required the amputation of his right leg. After convalescing in Mississippi with relatives until he was well and able to travel, he returned to Louisiana, wasting no time in resuming his medical studies in the summer of 1865.

Mary "Mollie" Jane Haughton C. 1890
Emma Pattillo Collection: 0000.003.040-2

In 1867, Lawrence returned to Bossier Parish and began his medical practice. He married Mary (Mollie) Jane Haughton, daughter of Harriet (Hassell) Haughton and William Purvis Haughton, whom the town is named after. When the railroad first came through the area, it was initially called Lawrenceville, after Dr. Paul Lawrence as the train depot, often referred to as Lawrence Station, was located on land that was formerly owned by him. On Sep. 1, 1884, Lawrenceville officially became Haughton.

As mentioned earlier, Lawrence was a man of many hats. Besides always being on call as the town’s physician, he was also a third-generation cotton planter, as well as a merchant, owning and running a general mercantile and cotton brokerage business, Lawrence & Son. After his death, his youngest son, Thomas Humphrey Lawrence, who partnered with him at the store, changed the name to Lawrence & Company, and it remained open until his retirement in the 1950s.

Even after retirement, Lawrence continued to superintend his farm until his death. As a retired physician, he would still provide medical services when called on, whether filling in when a doctor was not available and assisting in surgeries when requested. He was a prominent member of the community, and he gladly served it in various ways, from serving as a voting commissioner to being a member of the Bossier Parish School Board, and later as a member of the Board of Trustees for Haughton white 

schools.

Lawrence was appointed by the Bossier Parish Police Jury as a Health Officer for the Fillmore area in 1878 in response to the threat of dangerous and contagious diseases, such as smallpox and yellow fever. In 1885, he was on the building committee for the Methodist Church in Haughton, which has been in the same location on E. McKinley Ave for 120 years.

He was nominated to represent Bossier Parish as a delegate for the Democratic State Convention. And, he was a delegate for the Louisiana State Division, United Confederate Veterans in 1914. When he died in Nov. 1934; he was the last Robin Grey soldier to die.

When driving down Hwy. 157, about a half-mile south of the red light in Haughton, sits Dr. Paul Lawrence’s old house, which is now a historic site.

C. 1900. Dr. Paul Lawrence is shown standing with his family in front of his south Haughton home. From left to right are T. Humphrey Lawrence, Mary Lawrence (sister to Paul), Dr. Paul Lawrence, Eva Lawrence, Myrtis Lawrence, Mary Haughton Lawrence (wife of Paul), Sudye Lawrence(youngest of nine children), and Lucille Lawrence. (Clifton Cardin Collection: 1999.089.003)

Historic Sites

In 1993 the “Historic Sites” signs project was started by the Highland Area Partnership, under the leadership of Director Robert J. Marak. After having great success, the project expanded to include Caddo Parish and Bossier Parish, with a focus on the two cities, Shreveport and Bossier City. A large group of organizations and individuals joined forces, including historians Eric J. Brock and Clifton D. Cardin. Of the 150 sites selected throughout the two parishes, the group received permissions to install 132 historic site signs.

The following is a partial list of the historic site markers and their descriptions, that were placed in Bossier Parish through this project, along with their description.

Scopena Plantation - “One of the oldest operating plantations in Northwest Louisiana. Established on a land grant from the period of French domination. In recent times was childhood home of Louisiana Gov. Charles “Buddy” Roemer, who was born nearby.”

Red River Ferry Boats - “The Don Juan and Sterling White ferry boats crossed foot and stock traffic to Shreveport from near this point for many years prior to the opening of the first bridge across Red River in July 1884. Prior to this, beginning in the 1840s, another ferry crossed the river about four blocks north of Texas Street.”

Oakland Plantation - “This house was built in stages between 1832 and 1848, and by 1850 was owned by Doctor Abel Skannal. From this house the family controlled five plantations totaling over 8,000 acres. Rumors about ghosts are sustained by the fact that Doc Skannal kept a coffin in the attic of the house. The family cemetery is located nearby in the woods.”

Hughes House - “Built in circa 1840 by Alex B. Hughes, the house remained in the Hughes family until its donation to the Bossier Restoration Foundation in 1972. This was the boyhood home of William Clark Hughes who was Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives in 1928. This House has been used as an office, home, schoolhouse and museum.”

Elysian Grove Plantation - “Near this location, during the greater part of the 19th century, stood  “Elysian Grove” plantation, owned by Mary Cane (1812-1902). Mrs. Cane was a prominent businesswoman and landowner in Bossier and Caddo Parishes. After her death the main house  deteriorated and was finally razed in the 1920s.”

Salem Baptist Church - "Salem Baptist Church was organized in Red Land, Louisiana November 23, 1844 with four members. Elder Moses S. McDonald, his wife Mahalah, Frances Roden and Margaret Weeks Covington, under the leadership of Elder McDonald and Elder Hargis. It is the oldest church in Bossier Parish and from it grew Chalybeate Springs, Rocky Mount, Caney Creek, Plain Dealing, Good Hope and many other churches."

Fillmore Cemetery - “Located a short distance down this road. Founded 1848 by Fillmore Methodist church, once located on site. Buried here are Thomas D Connell, founder of Connell’s Cross Roads (now Fillmore), and W. P. Haughton. Also here is O.R. Gelette (1845-1944), one of the six last surviving Confederate commissioned officers, and the last surviving officer of General Lee’s staff.”

Ash Point Plantation - “Built c.1875, was residence of Elam S. Dortch, believed to be last surviving Confederate veteran residing in Bossier Parish. Moved c. 1923 to present site from original location nearer river. Listed in National Register of Historic Places, 1982.”

Paul Lawrence Home - “Built 1883 after earlier house on site burned. Residence of Dr. Paul Lawrence, respected physician, who performed house calls for over 50 years despite the loss of a leg in the Civil War. Haughton was originally called Lawrenceville in his honor.”

The Old Bossier City Municipal Building - “Cornerstone laid Nov. 16, 1926. Officially dedicated My 19,1927. A fine example of the Spanish “Hacienda” style adapted for public buildings. The second floor still contains original jail cells.” The building originally housed the city offices, mayor, police and others. The building is still in use by the Bossier Art Council and the East Bank Theater. It also houses a very unique and interesting gallery of paintings and abstract art.

Henry McDade House - “Modified dog trot house is example of skills and creativity of early 20th century homes in Bossier Parish. It has one room on south side and three rooms on the north. Built circa 1927 by Henry McDade for his wife, Artie Lee Patterson McDade and their eight children. Over 80 descendants as of year 2000.”

Bellevue Cemetery - “Official burial ground for Bellevue, formerly Bossier Parish seat. At least two judges, four Bossier parish Sheriffs, and twenty-one Confederate soldiers are buried here. Bellevue was first called Freedonia, then Society Hill.”

By: Amy Robertson

Bossier Parish's First Woman Mayor

Elizabeth O. Sherwin was not born in Bossier Parish, but that did not stop her from faithfully serving the Haughton community from the time she moved there and until she departed from this earth. Sherwin and her husband moved to Haughton after World War II, in 1945 from Marshall, Texas. They purchased land and built a house where they could raise kids away from the city, calling Haughton home from then on.

When Sherwin first arrived in Haughton, it was just a small town with unnamed dirt roads. As she watched her kids grow, she also attended the town grow. She got involved in the community by joining committees, clubs, and programs. She organized the Haughton P.T.A. in 1947, and she organized the candy striper program at Bossier General Hospital in 1965.

She began serving Haughton politically as the first woman to serve on the town council for Haughton in 1970. In 1972, she was the first alderwoman elected to the Haughton Town Council. After six years as an alderwoman, Sherwin ran for mayor. In an interview with Shanda Thomas, for The Shreveport Journal, Sherwin stated, “She was urged to seek the top position by her husband because she ‘put in as many hours as an alderman as she would as mayor.”

In 1976 Sherwin became the first female mayor of Haughton, the first female mayor in Bossier Parish, and the first female Republican mayor elected in Louisiana. Taking her first oath of office on July 1, 1976, after beating her opponent Sylvester E. Carson. Eager to continue the many projects she had begun and happy to continue serving the community, she ran for re-election; this time, she was unopposed. After her first term as mayor, she ran unopposed for re-election and joyfully continued serving the great town of Haughton.

During her stay in office as the Mayor of Haughton, Sherwin helped Haughton to become recognized
as an official Bicentennial Community, making the town eligible for a variety of grants. Including grant funds for the construction of a new water treatment plant; to connect all houses within Haughton town limits to the sewerage system; to add fluoridation to the water system to prevent dental disease, and to implement an ongoing drainage program for flood-prone areas. She also obtained funding to build a new firehouse, a new library, and to expand the city hall.

Sherwin took her responsibility to keep the citizens of Haughton safe during an emergency and organized a mock evacuation drill to access the town’s ability to respond effectively to a public emergency in coordination with the various agencies. She evaluated the railroad tracks for disrepair and saw to it that the railway company made necessary repairs. Also, she was successful in imposing a 10-mph speed limit on trains passing through the town.

She always looked for ways to help others and could rally people together to help make a difference in the lives of others. In 1983, after the tragic loss of Haughton’s very own Joe Delaney, she established a memorial scholarship in his name to serve the athletically inclined graduates of Haughton High School.

While the BPL History Center is closed during the pandemic, our staff members are still available to answer any research questions you may have. What do you want to know about Bossier Parish History? Email history-center@bossierlibrary.org or call us at 318-746-7717.

By: Amy Robertson

This Month In Bossier Parish History

June: Through the Years

June 1,  1830-1880 and 1900: Marks the day the census was taken.

Bossier Parish was established in 1843.  By the time the 1850 census was taken, the population was 6,962.   In 1860, the population was grew to 11,348 citizens.  As of 2019, Bossier Parish has more than 127, 000 in population.

census.gov

worldpopulationreview.com

 *Please enjoy the photos of some early settlers from our parish.

 C.1890’s: Matlock Family Photograph.  (Identifications are written on reverse side. Three men on back row: John (Jack) Matlock, Robert Emmett Matlock,  Charley E. Matlock   (4 people standing to the left of the above 3)  Ella Matlock, Unknown, Strother Matlock (Grandma's father), Maggie Matlock (Grandma's Mother), (3 girls standing, all Matlocks)  Alice, Susan (died young), Ida  (Front Row)  Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, John R. Matlock,  Parthenia R. Matlock, Grover Matlock,  Elvira Holloway

1997.046.002Mike Montgomery Collection

C.1900: Aaron W. and Mary Jane Kirklin with their children:  Sarah Jane,  (Aaron) Daniel, Minnie Susannah and Jasper Whittington Kirklin.  See Geneology notes for birth dates.

1997.081.019    Faulk Collection

C. 1900-190 Zachary Family Reunion

1997.054.015

Findley Collection

Jun 8, 1956: Miss Margaret Dell Collins wins the 1956 Miss Bossier Pageant.

Jun. 4, 1956: The Shreveport Journal

Jun. 9, 1956: The Shreveport Journal

      1957: Margaret Delle Collins

1957 Louisiana Polytechnic Institute  Yearbook

Jun.23, 1925: Two fires broke out on both sides of Cane Street (Barksdale Boulevard) destroying buildings and homes in the downtown area.

Jun. 24, 1925: The Shreveport Journal

Jun. 25, 1925: The Times

1920: Cane Street before the 1925 fires. George "Willie" Chambers, , Jr walking down Cain St/Barksdale Blvd.  Before the 1925 fire

2000.061.021 Cardin Collection

Jun.30, 1909:  The first successful oil well was recorded for Bossier Parish. It was 900 to 1,100 feet deep and was drilled by the Gulf Coast Oil and Gas Co. on the Oakland Plantation.    The first oil well was being drilled in the Phelp's Lake bottom five miles west of Plain Dealing in 1907.          Bossier Parish History: the first 150 years by Cliff Cardin  Pg. 104

Jan. 10, 1907, The Bossier Banner

1916: "Pete's Mule Team". Pete Shaver was Charlcye Shaver Skov's father. He lived in Bossier City and worked in Oil City. Ober Teaming Oil Co. and Pine Island Teaming and Oil Co. circ. 1916-18 Caddo/Oil City, LA.  Photo shows 8 mules hooked to a metal barrel wagon (used to move oil), three men (unidentified) are visible in the photo.

2014.049.005  Watts Collections     

Jul. 1, 1909: The Bossier Banner

c.1920's: Oil field workers. It is believed that Will and Frank Hall are the boys in the photo, and that W.E. Hall is the gentlemen holding the youngest boy. 

2014.040.009   Lasiter Collection