Louis "Po Po" Venus Schwall

Although Louis "Po Po" Schwall was not a blood relative he was no less for many of Mathilda "Tillie" Horrigan-Schwall's grandchildren the only grandfather they would know as many of the blood grandfathers had expired. "PoPo" was everything one could expect of a father and grandfather. This man involved himself in an entrepreneural spirit, owning and operating many businesses in gas supply, transportation, restaurants and real estate. This was his second marriage and one in which the old timers said he mellowed with the love of family. Louis was born in 1888 and worked horses at a young age. Later he worked as a railroad detective where he was involved in a gun battle with train robbers who shot him in the back. Although seriously injured, Louis, laying face down with his shotgun underneath played dead until able to return fire. PoPo's back displayed the lead pellets and injuries sustained in this fight. His reputation grew as an excellent shooter as he won "Turkey Shoots" throughout the state of Mississippi. He was an excellent cook, and good man. The children of Mathilda spoke of a long courtship as Mathilda was reluctant to remarry. Po Po thought of Mathilda's children as his own. Louis purchased seventeen acres of land with a small cottage in Hancock County Mississippi to provide a home for Mathilda. This place had two large ponds stocked with fish, a target shoot and an open field for the grand children to play. PoPo raised sheep, pigs, horses and a number of crops in changing the place into a small farm. Most memorable perhaps were the many family holiday gatherings flowed throughout the house and onto the property under the shade of the old oak trees. One of Popo's favorite holidays was New Year's eve where all would lineup for their share of fireworks which Popo furnished with a wide grin. Into the early morning hours the sky would light up as if a mini war had occurred. At these holidays Popo would be in charge of cooking and carving the roast and turkeys. The family would gather round as he carved and humorously threaten anyone tasting before dinner was served. Popo would always involve the family in his projects whether it was a new building, real estate, restaurants, farming, or raising pigs, sheep or horses.. At one point, the pigs had reproduced to an extent they couldn't be sold fast enough! The cottage and surrounding area had been inundated with odor of the pig farm until "Granny" put her foot down and one day all the pigs disappeared. Popo was a loving soul who always tried to provide and please.