Reuss, George B., successful and well-known sugar planter, was born at New
Orleans, La., Feb. 15, 1858; son of John and Helena (Lotz) Reuss, both natives
of Hesse, Darmstadt, Germany. The father came to America about the year 1850,
locating in Iberville parish, La., where he engaged in the saddlery business.
Later he removed to Ascension parish and located on the Chatham plantation.
Still later, in the year 1867, he purchased the Germania plantation, consisting
of 2200 acres of land, and became an extensive planter of sugar cane and corn.
He gave close attention to his business, and prospered greatly. In the year
1896 or 1897 he went on an extended tour of Europe, in the course of which he
died, in 1898, at the age of 75 years. His wife preceded him in death in 1890,
at the age of 58 years. George B. Reuss was the only child born to his parents.
In the course of his education he attended Spring Hill college, Mobile, Ala.,
from which in due time he graduated. Following the completion of his education,
the young man passed one year in the city of New Orleans, after which he became
active assistant to his father in the management of the plantation business and
so remained until the death of the latter, when the son succeeded to the
ownership of the property left by the father. He has successfully managed the
estate and added largely to it, acquiring the Belle Helene property and
organizing the Belle Helene Planting Co., the stock of which is held by himself
and his children. Mr. Reuss is a member of the Lutheran church, and is
affiliated with the Sugar Planters' association of New Orleans, and
Donaldsonville Lodge No. 1153, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Jan. 4,
1888, George B. Reuss was married to Miss Bertha E. Spor, a daughter of J. G.
and Eleanor (Bettinger) Spor, both natives of Alsace, German, Empire. The
parents came to America about the year 1850, locating in the city of New
Orleans, where the father engaged in the wholesale grocery business. He died in
the year 1897 and the mother in 1907. To Mr. and Mrs. George B. Reuss 4
children have been born, namely: Helene, a graduate of the Sophie B. Wright
school, New Orleans, wife of W. C. Hayward, of New Orleans, and now the mother
of 3 children, namely, Helene Reuss, John Reuss, and William Campbell
Hayward; Elise, who died in the year 1898, and to whose memory her father
erected a loving memorial in the form of a splendid school building, which is
perhaps the finest of its kind within the state of Louisiana outside of the
larger cities; Ethelyn, also a graduate of the Sophie B. Wright school, and now
residing at the parental home; Gussie, another graduate of the Sophie B. Wright
school, and also of the National park seminary of Maryland. Mr. Reuss is a
public-spirited and actively progressive citizen, and has served the people of
his part of the state in various capacities. For a number of years he was a
member of the school board, and has always been zealous in his efforts toward
the improvement of the schools of his parish. He served as a member of the
police jury for 8 years in the capacity of president of the jury. During this
time the Donaldsonville high school building was erected, Mr. Reuss being a
member and chairman of the building committee. Many years ago Mr. Reuss had
made the survey and acquired the right-of-way for a railroad between Belle
Helene, Gonzales and Galvez, through the New River section. Seven miles of this
road have been built, and a few years ago the line was extended from Belle
Helene to the new and progressive town of St. Elmo, the railroad being now known
as the St. Elmo, Belle Helene & Louisiana Eastern R. R. About 15 years ago Mr.
Reuss also had a survey made for the purpose of draining the lands of his
section into Bayou Bijou. There was much opposition to his project at that
time, but in 1914 Mr. Reuss was greatly gratified by the forming of the Bayou
Bijou drainage district, of which he was appointed a commissioner. This
drainage commission virtually accepted Mr. Reuss' original survey, and the large
drainage canal, with several laterals, is nearing completion, and will reclaim
thousands of fertile acres. At all times Mr. Reuss is found in the lead of any
movement directed toward the betterment of the material advancement of the
interests of the people among whom he lives.
Derelict brick school building, Iberville Parish, Louisiana.
On February 29, 2008, Baret and I took a graving trip out to Iberville
Parish, so that I could - as Iberville Parish Keeper - record the
cemeteries in and around Plaquemine and White Castle for Find A Grave.
Just outside of White Castle, along the River Road just inside the
Ascension Parish line, we saw this old, abandoned brick abode. We found a
way to get to it, and snapped some photos.
On the facade's front brick column were two white marble panels detailing the building's history.
The first read:
Elise Reuss Memorial School
Erected 1907 To the loving memory of our daughter Elise Bertha Christine Reuss
Born June 9th 1890 Died November 19th 1894
The second panel read:
Architects Mackenzie Goldstein and Biggs New Orleans, LA
Builders Lydien Colet S.P. Braud
Source: Internet
