Category: Richland Pioneers

Judge William N. Potts (1841-1913) of Hudson, Potts & Bernstein, began his career in Rayville

Judge, Louisiana Fifth Judicial District Court, 1894-1900. First practiced law in the town of Rayville, Richland Parish, where he was associated with former Associate Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court, Robert B. Todd. Elected Parish Attorney and subsequently District Attorney. Formed the firm Potts & Hudson in 1883, remaining senior member there until elected Judge of the Fifth Judicial District in 1894. Appointed by Governor Sanders to revise the Civil Code of Louisiana as a member of the Civil Code Commission. Died at his home in Monroe, Louisiana, April 26, 1913.

William A. Beck, Sr., M.D., of Mangham (1893-1969) – “A Pioneer In Medicine”

Dr. Beck was born in Gainesville, Alabama in 1896 and moved to Mangham, Louisiana at an early age where he received his elementary education and later entered Homer College, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, prior to entering Meharry Medical College in 1918. Dr. Beck was a professor of clinical medicine at Meharry for 25 years prior to having a successful private practice in Los Angeles for 23 years.

Remembering Mrs. Evelyn Griffis Cochran (1919-1996) – AUDIO Included

Mrs. Evelyn Cochran DEFINITELY was a trailblazer in recording so much priceless history, and we owe her and her family much gratitude for all they contributed through the years. Sadly, I did not personally know Mrs. Evelyn, but I cherish the work she did over the course of her life. She also wrote many columns for the Beacon, and I look forward to sharing those in future posts as well. – Luke