Nathaniel Wells Pope, Jr.
Born: October 30, 1827
Died: January 13, 1886

He was the son of Dr. Nathaniel Wells Pope, friend of John James Audubon, was born in West Faliciana Parish. He was baptized in Grace Episcopal Church and was educated in his home until he was prepared to enter college. He was sent to Oakland College, Mississippi and when he was sixteen enlisted in the Mexican war in Capt. W.B. Robertson's Company, Col. James Dakins Regiment.

On his return he studied law, was appointed deputy under Sheriff J.V. Duralde and after serving two years, was elected sheriff of West Baton Rouge Parish. He was re-elected and served until 1857, when he commenced practicing law. He married Miss Leodocia Robertson June 23, 1858. She was a woman of great culture and beauty. They made their home at Lymric Plantation near Port Allen. At the start of the War for Southern Independence he enlisted in the Delta Rifles of West Baton Rouge and commanded a company in the First Louisiana Cavalry of Col. Robert James Barrow. This regiment was reorganized and he enlisted in Scott's Cavalry Reg. He was elected Captain of the 4th Infantry in the Army of the Confederate States of America and served in the campaign in East Tennessee and Kentucky. He was captured and exchanged late in the war. After the war he resumed his practice in partnership with D.N. Barow. He was elected to the House of Representatives and served one term. He was appointed Judge of the Twenty Third District Court of the State of Louisiana on February 10, 1883. In every measure for the public good he was always prominent. In epidemics he would stop at the homes of the poor stricken and with his own hands close their eyes and have them buried.

During overflows he was untiring in his efforts preventing crevasses, and through his advice the finances of the parish were so managed that from complete depletion the Parish was soon out of debt. His wife died Oct. 29, 1881, leaving four children, Virginia, Henry Allen, Clarence and Irene. While on his way to New Orleans, the trains ran through an open switch. He was seriously injured. His health and spirit seemed broken and he died at home suddenly from a heart attack. Nathaniel Wells Pope, Jr. was a man of fine intellect and incommutable integrity, chivalric and unsuspicious. He judged human nature from his own standpoint though often deceived by those whom he trusted.

Judge N.W. Pope
We learn with deep regret this morning that Judge Nathaniel W. Pope died last night at his home in West Baton Rouge. Judge Pope was justly regarded as one of the staunchest citizens of West Baton Rouge, a true man and a jurist of high order of ability. He was intimately associated with his people and had never failed to do his whole duty as a citizen. During the war he commanded a company in the famous First Louisiana Regiment of Cavalry, and in the dark years of reconstruction was a prominent figure in the battle for the overthrow of Republican rule. He had served as a member of the House of Representatives of Louisiana and by appointment of Governor McEnery, the place of District Judge. The deceased leaves a wide circle of friends and relatives to mourn his loss. He was connected with the Robertson, Barrow, Phillips and other estimable families in this and adjacent parishes. In his death, West Baton Rouge particularly, and the State lose a faithful and distinguished citizen. To the grief stricken relatives of the deceased, the CAPITOLIAN-ADVOCATE tenders its sincere regrets.