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PRESCOTT, Lewis D., St. Landry then St. James Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller

Prescott, Lewis Demaret, of Lutcher, was born at Washington, in St. Landry parish, Dec. 24,
1871, and is a son of Capt. Lewis D. and Lucy (Offutt) Prescott, both of whom were born in the
same locality as was the son. The paternal grandfather, William Marshall Prescott, was a native
of Macon, Ca., and was married to Miss Moore, of Iberia parish, La. The maternal grandfather,
William J. Offutt, was born in Georgia and married a Miss Posey, of Opelousas, La. The paternal
great-grandparents, William and Mary (Marshall) Prescott, were natives of Virginia. The
maternal great-grandfather, Dr. William J. Offutt, came from Scotland to America at an early date
and located in the state of Georgia. The paternal ancestors came originally from England. Capt.
Lewis D. Prescott was educated for the profession of law. He received his degree in law at the
University of Louisiana, and afterward passed 2 years as a law student at the University of Paris,
France. His studies at the latter institution were interrupted by the beginning of the Civil war,
when he returned to America and enlisted in the Confederate service in the state of Virginia.
After a short time, however, he returned to Louisiana, where he organized Co. A, of which he
was elected captain, and became attached to the 2nd Louisiana volunteer cavalry, with which he
served throughout the remainder of the war, taking part in many notable engagements. It is
related that his command was the last regularly organized and equipped company to surrender,
that event taking place at Washington, La., June 6, 1865, after a lengthy parley and confirmation
of the surrender of Gen. Kirby-Smith 's army. He returned to the family plantation home,
"Oakland," adjoining the town of Washington, and succeeded to the management of the estate,
which at that time also included "Sunflower," ''Lone Cypress,'' ''Prescott Springs,'' and some other
smaller places. In 1878 some of these properties were sold, and later the remaining lands were
divided among the children. Capt. Prescott affiliated with the democratic party, and during some
years after the war he served as a member of the state senate. Eight children were born to his
parents, and three of these are now living. Willis B., one of these children, who died about the
age of 50 years while a member of the state senate, served in the latter body during the famous
fight against the Louisiana state lottery. Benjamin, another of Capt. Prescott's brothers, married
Miss Taylor, of Virginia, and 7 children were born to the latter union, the father now living at
Baton Rouge with one of his sons, Col. A. T. Prescott. Mary, sister to Capt. Prescott, is the
widow of Capt. M. P. Scott, and living at Washington, La. Her husband served the Confederacy
throughout the term of the Civil war. He died in 1902, leaving 2 children. Mrs. Scott owns
valuable property at Atlanta, Ga. Addie, another sister, is the widow of R. G. H. Kean, of
Lynchburg, Va., a prominent lawyer of that state, who died in 1898, leaving 4 children. Capt.
Prescott died in 1909. Eight children were born to his marriage, as follow: John, died about the
age of 4 years; Lizzie, married W. C. Dunbar, and is living at Lutcher;. Lewis D., third child and
subject of this sketch; William, who. married Miss Fauntleroy, of Jeanerette, La., is manager of a
state farm there; Sallie, wife of T. R. Atkinson, planter, of Glendora, Miss; Eleanora, wife of
John B. Murphy, manager of the state farm at San Gabriel; J. P., married to Lillian McCabe,
Garyville; Offutt F. N., married to Mabel Foster, living at Chapel Hill, Tex. Lewis Demaret
Prescott received his early education at the Sisters' school near his home. Later he attended
Louisiana State university. At the age of 21 years he purchased a plantation of 500 acres at Gold
Dust, La., and began growing cotton and rice. Five years later he sold this property and located
at Lutcher, where he was for a time connected with the lumber business. At the beginning of the
Spanish-American war he enlisted as a member of Co. D, 2nd Louisiana volunteer infantry, and
served until honorably discharged at the close of the war. He returned to Lutcher and resumed
his connection with the lumber business, so remaining about 8 years, when he went into the
sawmill business in St. Charles parish. After conducting this latter enterprise 3 years, he disposed
of his mill interests and established a drug business at Lutcher, to which he has since devoted his
abilities. Mr. Prescott's undertakings have prospered, and he now owns valuable property in St.
Charles parish and drug stores at Gramercy and New Iberia. He is a member of the Catholic
church, and affiliates with the republican party. He is a Master Mason, and united with the
Knights of Pythias, Ancient United Order of Druids, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
Sept. 24, 1903, Lewis Demaret Prescott was married to Mildred, daughter of George Pugh,
planter, of Bayou Lafourche, and 2 children have been born to their union, Amelie P. and Lewis
P., the latter of whom died in his 5th year.

Source: Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons,
Arranged in Cyclopedic Form, volume 3, pp. 731-732. Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit. D.
Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.

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