George B. Holstead
Encyclopedia
George Burnham Holstead, Jr. (July 31, 1924-December 27, 2002), was an attorney in Ruston
, Louisiana
, who was a Democratic
member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
from 1964-1980.
family. His paternal grandfather, John Burnham Holstead, was born on December 18, 1849, in Bienville Parish
and settled as a young man in Farmerville
, the seat of Union Parish
, where he became the editor of the newspaper
Junior Record. In 1874, he moved to the community of Vienna
in Lincoln Parish near Ruston to assume operations of The Vienna Sentinel. He was married to the former Elizabeth T. Tanner (1868–1934).
Meanwhile, the self-educated John B. Holstead studied law independently by reading in the library of an attorney in Vienna. In 1878, at the age of twenty-nine, he was admitted to the practice of law. John B. and Elizabeth Holstead had two daughters, Kay (born 1878) and Bernice Holstead (born 1882). The family moved to Ruston in 1884, and two sons followed, Clyde B. Holstead (1886–1937) and George B. Holstead, Sr. (January 12, 1895–1946). John Holstead had a successful law practice in Ruston, and in 1912, he was elected judge
of the Fourth Judicial District and served until 1916. He was one of the founders of Louisiana Tech University
, established in 1894 as Louisiana Polytechnic Institute. Holstead died at his Ruston residence on December 13, 1933. George Holstead, Sr. (1895–1946), married the former Lois Oliver (1895–1993). In addition to George, Jr., the couple had an older son, James Oliver Holstead, who died in Dallas
, Texas
.
in the United States Army
. He served in the United States Army Air Corps
, forerunner of the Air Force
, as part of the 63rd Bomb Squadron, Fifth Air Force
, with action in the Pacific Theater of Operations
. He was also a general aviation
pilot
during much of his adult life. After military service, Holstead returned to Louisiana Tech, where he was an outstanding track and field
athlete, having won the conference championship in the 100- and 220-yard dashes. He was an invited participant in the 1948 Olympic
trials held in New Orleans
.
Holstead obtained his law degree from the Louisiana State University Law Center in Baton Rouge
.
, a Ruston attorney and a former semi-professional baseball
player from Ruston, who had served from 1952-1964. In 1980, Joe Bleich of Ruston assumed the House seat, but he resigned in 1983 to become an associate justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court
from Place 4. Bleich was unseated in 1996 by the Republican
state district Court Judge Chet D. Traylor
of Winnsboro
.
During his latter tenure, Holstead was the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. He was instrumental in obtaining state appropriations to foster the growth of his alma mater
, Louisiana Tech, and nearby historically black Grambling State University
in Grambling
in Lincoln Parish.
, Helene H. Shaw of Monroe
, Kate Graham and husband Danny of Ruston, and George B. Holstead, III, and wife, Sandy, of Mercer Island
, Washington, and thirteen grandchildren. Holstead's son-in-law, Jerome Vascocu, originally from Minden
, is the president of Richland State Bank in Rayville. Like his father-in-law, Vascocu was a track star at Louisiana Tech; he previously participated in track and field at Minden High School
as well. Vascocu ran on the Louisiana Tech 440-yard and relay teams.
Holstead died at the age of seventy-eight of respiratory complications at Lincoln General Hospital in Ruston. Services were held on December 29, 2002, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Ruston, where he was a member. Interment was at Greenwood Cemetery in Ruston.
Ruston, Louisiana
Ruston is a city in and the parish seat of Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 20,546 at the 2000 census. Ruston is near the eastern border of the Ark-La-Tex and is the home of Louisiana Tech University. Its economy caters to its college population...
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, who was a Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
Louisiana State Legislature
The Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
from 1964-1980.
Pioneer family
Holstead was descended from a pioneer Lincoln ParishLincoln Parish, Louisiana
Lincoln Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Ruston. In 2004, its population was estimated to be 42,382...
family. His paternal grandfather, John Burnham Holstead, was born on December 18, 1849, in Bienville Parish
Bienville Parish, Louisiana
Bienville Parish is a parish located in the northwestern portion of the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Arcadia and as of the 2000 census, the population is 15,752....
and settled as a young man in Farmerville
Farmerville, Louisiana
Farmerville is a town in and the parish seat of Union Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 3,808 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Monroe Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, the seat of Union Parish
Union Parish, Louisiana
Union Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Farmerville....
, where he became the editor of the newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
Junior Record. In 1874, he moved to the community of Vienna
Vienna, Louisiana
Vienna is a town in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 424 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Ruston Micropolitan Statistical Area....
in Lincoln Parish near Ruston to assume operations of The Vienna Sentinel. He was married to the former Elizabeth T. Tanner (1868–1934).
Meanwhile, the self-educated John B. Holstead studied law independently by reading in the library of an attorney in Vienna. In 1878, at the age of twenty-nine, he was admitted to the practice of law. John B. and Elizabeth Holstead had two daughters, Kay (born 1878) and Bernice Holstead (born 1882). The family moved to Ruston in 1884, and two sons followed, Clyde B. Holstead (1886–1937) and George B. Holstead, Sr. (January 12, 1895–1946). John Holstead had a successful law practice in Ruston, and in 1912, he was elected judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
of the Fourth Judicial District and served until 1916. He was one of the founders of Louisiana Tech University
Louisiana Tech University
Louisiana Tech University, often referred to as Louisiana Tech, LA Tech, or Tech, is a coeducational public research university located in Ruston, Louisiana. Louisiana Tech is designated as a Tier 1 school in the national universities category by the 2012 U.S. News & World Report college rankings...
, established in 1894 as Louisiana Polytechnic Institute. Holstead died at his Ruston residence on December 13, 1933. George Holstead, Sr. (1895–1946), married the former Lois Oliver (1895–1993). In addition to George, Jr., the couple had an older son, James Oliver Holstead, who died in Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
Holstead's early years
George Holstead, Jr., attended Louisiana Tech for a year after high school and then enlisted in ShreveportShreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana. It is the principal city of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and is the 109th-largest city in the United States....
in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. He served in the United States Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
, forerunner of the Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, as part of the 63rd Bomb Squadron, Fifth Air Force
Fifth Air Force
The Fifth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Yokota Air Base, Japan....
, with action in the Pacific Theater of Operations
Pacific Theater of Operations
The Pacific Theater of Operations was the World War II area of military activity in the Pacific Ocean and the countries bordering it, a geographic scope that reflected the operational and administrative command structures of the American forces during that period...
. He was also a general aviation
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
pilot
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
during much of his adult life. After military service, Holstead returned to Louisiana Tech, where he was an outstanding track and field
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
athlete, having won the conference championship in the 100- and 220-yard dashes. He was an invited participant in the 1948 Olympic
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
trials held in New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
.
Holstead obtained his law degree from the Louisiana State University Law Center in Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is located in East Baton Rouge Parish and is the second-largest city in the state.Baton Rouge is a major industrial, petrochemical, medical, and research center of the American South...
.
Legislative service
Holstead's legislative tenure in District 12, which became a single-member district in 1972, corresponded with the administration of Governor John J. McKeithen and the first two of four nonconsecutive terms of Edwin Washington Edwards. Holstead succeeded L.D. "Buddy" NapperL.D. "Buddy" Napper
Laurice Dean Napper, known as L.D. "Buddy" Napper , is an attorney and civic figure in Ruston, Louisiana, who served as a Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1952-1964....
, a Ruston attorney and a former semi-professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player from Ruston, who had served from 1952-1964. In 1980, Joe Bleich of Ruston assumed the House seat, but he resigned in 1983 to become an associate justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court
Louisiana Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Louisiana is the highest court and court of last resort in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The modern Supreme Court, composed of seven justices, meets in the French Quarter of New Orleans....
from Place 4. Bleich was unseated in 1996 by the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
state district Court Judge Chet D. Traylor
Chet D. Traylor
Chet D. Traylor is a retired associate justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court from Monroe, Louisiana, who was defeated in the Republican primary election on August 28, 2010, for the U.S. Senate seat held since 2005 by the incumbent David Vitter of New Orleans...
of Winnsboro
Winnsboro, Louisiana
Winnsboro is a city in and the parish seat of Franklin Parish, Louisiana, United States. As of July 2009, the estimated city population was 4,377...
.
During his latter tenure, Holstead was the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. He was instrumental in obtaining state appropriations to foster the growth of his alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
, Louisiana Tech, and nearby historically black Grambling State University
Grambling State University
Grambling State University is a historically black , public, coeducational university, located in Grambling, Louisiana. The university is the home of legendary football coach Eddie Robinson and is on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail.-Academics:Grambling State University provides over...
in Grambling
Grambling, Louisiana
Grambling is a city in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 4,693 at the 2000 census. The city is home to Grambling State University and is part of the Ruston Micropolitan Statistical Area....
in Lincoln Parish.
Family and death
Holstead married the former Mary Ellen Cochran (August 9, 1928–September 8, 2004), and the couple had four children: Nancy H. Vascocu and husband, Norman Jerome Vascocu (both born 1948), of RayvilleRayville, Louisiana
Rayville is a town in, the parish seat of, and the largest community in Richland Parish in northeastern Louisiana, United States. The population was 4,234 at the 2000 census. It is also home of Palmetto Addiction Recovery Center...
, Helene H. Shaw of Monroe
Monroe, Louisiana
Monroe is a city in and the parish seat of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 53,107, making it the eighth largest city in Louisiana. A July 1, 2007, United States Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 51,208, but 51,636...
, Kate Graham and husband Danny of Ruston, and George B. Holstead, III, and wife, Sandy, of Mercer Island
Mercer Island, Washington
Mercer Island is a city in King County, Washington, United States and the name of the island in Lake Washington on which the city sits. The population was 22,699 at the 2010 census....
, Washington, and thirteen grandchildren. Holstead's son-in-law, Jerome Vascocu, originally from Minden
Minden, Louisiana
Minden is a city in the American state of Louisiana. It serves as the parish seat of Webster Parish and is located twenty-eight miles east of Shreveport, the seat of Caddo Parish. The population, which has been stable since 1960, was 13,027 at the 2000 census...
, is the president of Richland State Bank in Rayville. Like his father-in-law, Vascocu was a track star at Louisiana Tech; he previously participated in track and field at Minden High School
Minden High School (Minden, Louisiana)
Minden High School is the public secondary educational institution in Minden, a small city of 13,000 and the seat of Webster Parish located twenty-eight miles east of Shreveport in northwestern Louisiana...
as well. Vascocu ran on the Louisiana Tech 440-yard and relay teams.
Holstead died at the age of seventy-eight of respiratory complications at Lincoln General Hospital in Ruston. Services were held on December 29, 2002, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Ruston, where he was a member. Interment was at Greenwood Cemetery in Ruston.