Rives, Albert Martin

Summary

Father: Judson Carey Rives
Mother: Eliza Frances Davidson

Birth: 20 July 1853, De Soto Parish, Louisiana
Birth Source: Headstone

Death: 13 Dec 1920
Death Source: Headstone

Spouse1: Emma Virginia Durham

Narrative

Children of Albert Martin Rives and Emma Virginia Durham:

1. Virginia Durham Rives, b. 1 May 1879, m. Bruce Benton
2. Martha Hagood Rives, b. 17 Jan 1881, d. 13 Oct 1911
3. Frances Davidson Rives, b. 20 July 1882, m. Jarrell Dean Adcock
4. Mary Wyche Rives, b. 15 Oct 1884, Orson Hughes Jordan
5. Judson Carey Rives, b. 20 Mar 1887, d. 30 Sep 1890
6. Albert Martin Rives Jr, b. 4 Apr 1890
7. Robert Durham Rives, b. 10 Jan 1896

From Reliques of the Rives:
like all his brothers and sisters, was born at "Wildwood" in De Soto Parish, La. He was reared on the plantation of his father, and received a common school education in the local schools of Mansfield. "He was a son of Judson C. Rives, who was an early settler in De Soto Parish and his mother was a Miss Davidson, a member of another of the first families that settled in north-west Louisiana. In early manhood (May 15, 1878) the deceased was married to Miss Emma (Virginia) Durham, a daughter of Capt. O. L. Durham, a leading citizen of De Soto Parish. * * * Mr. Rives followed farming for some time after his marriage, although he was in the saw mill business for some years. He was always active in public life, and figured extensively in the struggle for the redemption of Louisiana during the days of reconstruction. Afterwards he served two terms as clerk of the District Court, and also served one term as a member of the Louisiana legislature, and in both positions he made a good record as a public servant. He was ever active in matters pertaining to public schools, and served on the parish school board, and was a member of the local board of trustees for the Mansfield high school from its organization until his death. He was noted for his good business sense and ability. Cautious and conservative in business matters, he accumulated a competency, and leaves his family well provided for. He was a consistent member of the Baptist church and in fact, was in every respect a useful citizen and his loss is not confined to his family, but is felt by this entire community. He was a courageous man and dared to do what he thought was right under the most trying circumstances. He was liberal and generous, without being extravagant, in the use of his money, and was ever true to his friends, and this made him a power for good in the community, as well as in public life. He was a leader of men but was never demonstrative in his work, and was good naturedly termed by his friends, 'the silent boss,' for his influence was wielded in such a manner, that his opponents never knew just how it happened until too late to oppose him. Of course he had his faults, and to say that he had not, would be to impute the teaching of the Bible, that tells us that the human race is born in sin, that must be wiped away by the teachings of Jesus Christ, but his faults were perhaps as few as those of the best of men. The entire Enterprise force is grieving because of his untimely taking away, for he was a charter member of the Enterprise Publishing Co., and has served from its organization as president of our Board of Directors, and his wise council has ever been appreciated and always found valuable by the management of the paper. * * * Indeed a 'sturdy old oak hath fallen' upon whom his family leaned with faith, love and confidence, his friends with respect and consideration, and the entire community with appreciation, for his example encouraged and enthused those stricken with lethargy, and calmed and reconciled those whose enthusiasm might have resulted in harm to themselves, as well as to others. His has truly been a useful life, and his place will be hard to fill."¹

Research Notes

Sources

Burial:       Findagrave - Mansfield Cemetery, Mansfield, DeSoto Parish, Louisiana

1900 Census:  Mansfield, De Soto Parish, Louisiana
1910 Census:  Police Jury Ward 4, De Soto Parish, Louisiana
1920 Census:  Mansfield, De Soto Parish, Louisiana

Childs, James Rives. Reliques of the Rives, p113
¹ Mansfield (La) Enterprise, 16 Dec 1920