Taylor Beattie facts for kids

Taylor Beattie (born July 4, 1837, died November 19, 1920) was an important person from Louisiana. He was an officer in the Confederate States Army, a politician, and a judge. He was part of the Republican Party. Beattie was involved in a difficult event called the Thibodaux massacre. His son, Charlton Reid Beattie, also became a judge.

Growing Up and Learning

Taylor Beattie was born in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana. His parents, John C. and C. Beattie, were from Kentucky. His father was a lawyer and owned a large farm. He also worked as a district attorney and helped write Louisiana's constitution in 1844.

Beattie's family came from Scotland and Ireland many years ago. He went to college at the University of Virginia. After college, he returned home to study law. He became a lawyer in 1859.

Military Service and Legal Work

Taylor Beattie was a well-known person in Louisiana. He supported the Confederacy during the American Civil War. He was seen as a strong supporter of Southern rights.

He joined the 1st Louisiana Infantry as a second lieutenant in April 1861. He was promoted to captain while serving in Pensacola, Florida. In 1863, he became a colonel. He served in many battles with the western army. He was with General Johnston when the war ended.

After the war, Beattie went back to Lafourche Parish. He started practicing law again. He worked on many important cases. After 1869, he also started farming sugar cane. He produced a lot of sugar each year.

In 1871, he became a judge for the Fifteenth district. He was elected to this position in 1872 and again in 1876. He served as a judge until 1880. In 1879, he ran for governor as a Republican. He also ran for Congress in 1882.

In 1884, he was elected judge of the Twentieth judicial district. He was re-elected in 1888. While he was a judge, in November 1887, he was involved in the Thibodaux massacre. This event happened during a labor strike by sugarcane workers.

Family Life

In 1868, Beattie married Miss F. Pugh. Her family was well-known in the area. Taylor and F. Pugh Beattie had two sons and two daughters.

He owned several large farms. His home and office were in Thibodaux, Louisiana. They were located across the La Fourche bayou, surrounded by oak trees.

Later Years and Passing

Taylor Beattie stopped practicing law around 1918. He passed away two years later at his home in Thibodaux. He was 83 years old. He had been sick for about two weeks.