Walter Ernest Williams

Ernest was a farmer in his prime years. He owned an interest in the old Williams Brothers Sawmill along with his brothers, Van and B. J. Williams. This mill sawed the big timber for the foundation of the Great Southern Lumber Company. He built the family home in Lee's Creek (south of Bogalusa, Washington Parish, Louisiana) where he lived until his children were grown. Ernest also owned and operated the LONE OAK GROCERY STORE on Hwy. 21, south of Bogalusa, which was constructed by Ernest and his son-in-law, Asa J. Stewart. He and his second wife, Allie Idell Miller, lived in the small apartment adjoining the store until their elder years when they moved back into the old homestead with their daughter, Rachael H. Williams Stewart, and family. The store and residence were rented out for a number of years until torn down by the family.

BRIEF HISTORICAL INFORMATION ON BOGALUSA, WASHINGTON PARISH, LOUISIANA: Known by various slogans in past years ("The Magic City" and "The Green Empire"), the name Bogalusa is copyrighted. Bogalusa is situated on the eastern border of Washington Parish in the "Florida Parishes" section of Louisiana on the Pearl River, which is the dividing line between Louisiana and Mississippi. Reputed to have been the largest un-incorporated community in the nation at one time, Bogalusa was incorporated on July 4, 1914, with a commission form of government. The name "Bogalusa" was derived from the Indian-named creek, Bogue Lusa, which flows through the city. The definition of Bogue Lusa is smoky or dark waters. Bogalusa owes its birth to the enterprise of the Goodyear interests of Buffalo, New York, which established the lumber industry in the area in 1906 and erected the Great Southern Lumber Company plant. This plant became the largest pine sawmill in the world. Although it has changed hands numerous times through the years, the plant ranks as one of the outstanding manufacturers of pulp, paper, boxes, bags, and other paper products in the nation today.

(Information taken from the Bogalusa homepage at http://www.bogalusa.org/.)

Share some details about this event

Description: Ernest was a farmer in his prime years. He owned an interest in the old Williams Brothers Sawmill along with his brothers, Van and B. J. Williams. This mill sawed the big timber for the foundation of the Great Southern Lumber Company. He built the family home in Lee's Creek (south of Bogalusa, Washington Parish, Louisiana) where he lived until his children were grown. Ernest also owned and operated the LONE OAK GROCERY STORE on Hwy. 21, south of Bogalusa, which was constructed by Ernest and his son-in-law, Asa J. Stewart. He and his second wife, Allie Idell Miller, lived in the small apartment adjoining the store until their elder years when they moved back into the old homestead with their daughter, Rachael H. Williams Stewart, and family. The store and residence were rented out for a number of years until torn down by the family.

BRIEF HISTORICAL INFORMATION ON BOGALUSA, WASHINGTON PARISH, LOUISIANA: Known by various slogans in past years ("The Magic City" and "The Green Empire"), the name Bogalusa is copyrighted. Bogalusa is situated on the eastern border of Washington Parish in the "Florida Parishes" section of Louisiana on the Pearl River, which is the dividing line between Louisiana and Mississippi. Reputed to have been the largest un-incorporated community in the nation at one time, Bogalusa was incorporated on July 4, 1914, with a commission form of government. The name "Bogalusa" was derived from the Indian-named creek, Bogue Lusa, which flows through the city. The definition of Bogue Lusa is smoky or dark waters. Bogalusa owes its birth to the enterprise of the Goodyear interests of Buffalo, New York, which established the lumber industry in the area in 1906 and erected the Great Southern Lumber Company plant. This plant became the largest pine sawmill in the world. Although it has changed hands numerous times through the years, the plant ranks as one of the outstanding manufacturers of pulp, paper, boxes, bags, and other paper products in the nation today.

(Information taken from the Bogalusa homepage at http://www.bogalusa.org/.)

Save Description or Cancel