The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1879-09-03
THE PIONEERS OF RAPiDES PAR
lSH.
ROBERT G. HYNsoN.

Robert Cruikshank Hynson was
born in Kent County, Maryland, iu
1895. At very early age he was
left an orphan, with sister to care
for. Several years Of his life were
spent in a well-known Counting
House in Baltimore, and he there &C
auired those strict business habits
for which he was so distinguished,
and which doubtless laid the founda.
ton of his eminently successful ca:
reer. In the year 1917 Mr.. Hynson
came to Louisiana. Like many 9th
ers, it is probable that he had been
attracted hither by the fattering &C.
counts of the variety and fertility of
the soil and the mild and delightful
climate, which, seemingly, possesses
so many charms for those born in
the mole northern ATTITUDES. The
only means of travel at that time, in
this quarter, was on horseback,
through a wilderness, or by fiat or
keel boats, which were propelled by
the slow process of cordelling; a
journey which occupies so many
days, at that time was performed in
scarcely less than so many weeks
Mr.. Hynson reached Alexandria by
boat, and very soon after his arrival,
he engaged in mercantile pursuits as
a member of the firm of Wright and
Hynson. Several years later the
senior partner took part in the cele-
brated sandbar fight, near Natchez,
10 which he lost his life. Mr.. Hyn-
son afterwards became the cashier
and manager Of the branch of the
Bank of Louisiana, located at Alex
andria. In those days heavy bus
mess was done here, and to his sound
Judgment and excellent financial man
agement is attributed the great sue
cess Of that institution. When he
severed his connection with the Bank
Mr.. Hynson purchased a valuable
plantation near this Town and dcvo
ted himself to agricultural pursuits,
which were congenial to his tastes
and which afforded him in his ad
vancing years the repose which ma
ture demanded. Mr.. Hynson held
many important trusts in the Parish
Of Rapides, and he was elected a del.
egate to the State Constitutional Con.
yention in 1916.
We come now to speak Of the per-
sonal characteristics of the man and
the citizen. Mr.. Hynson was noted
for his strict integrity of the olden
school, for his unobtrusivencss, his
excellent manners, his attention to
the convcntionalities of life, his
warm hospitality and love of his fam
lily, no less than for his we'll balanced
energy and sound financial views,
aud the remarkable method he OBJ
served in all his business affairs up
the date of his death. He was q man
Of the most regular and abstcnious
habits. In person Mr.. Hynson was
ine looking, of ordinary size, with a
remarkably fair complexion aud a
most kindly face. He was twice
married; his first was Miss Overton,
Of that well known family in this
State and in Tennessee. She lived
but a few years after her marriage
and left one child, daughter, who
afterwards became the wife of the
Rev. Mr.. Vancourt, of st. Louis, a
Presbyterian clergyman of note.-
Mrs. Vancourt was one of the most
women of her times, of
lovely person, charming manners,
excellent education, and was posses
sed of q mind stored with informa-
lion, and which had been greatly i'm.
proved by travel; her rare converse
sional powers caused her society to
be much sought for, and her anna
oility Of temper and fervent piety,
gave still greater charm to her life.
Mr.. Hynson's second wife was Miss
Mary Hunter. She belonged to a
family we'll and fayorably known
throughout this State, aud their long
married life was as happy as life
could be. They we're blessed with
nine children, that grew to maturity,
most of whom are now living in this
Parish, and are honored citizens
One son, Robert G. Hynson, Jr., died
Of yellow fever in this Parish in
1867, and one daughter, a woman of
ovely character, the wife of Major
6. L. Hall, of New Orleans, died a
few months after her father.
During the summer of 1875 Mr..
n A. Mil