HISTORY OF THE NAPPER FAMILY BY LUE CHARLES NAPPER Benjamin Wesley Napper, whose family hailed from White Plains, Alabama, made his home in Hico, Louisiana, with his wife Bertie Cole in the early 1800's. He provided for his family of three sons and a young man, Tom Cross, who was raised by the Nappers, by farming the land.
One of Benjamin and Bertie's sons, Lue Mark Napper, married Maude Rogers, an Arcadia girl, when she was 18. Her parents were Mr. and Mrs. George Rogers and she was one of twelve children, six boys and six girls. At present there are four of the Rogers sisters still living: Mrs. Maude Rogers Napper, Mrs. Effie Rogers Sims, Mrs. Norma Rogers Thomas, and Mrs. Lou Annie Rogers Henry.
Lue Mark Napper and his wife, Maude Rogers, made their home in Simsboro after their marriage and until 1967, when Lue Mark died. He owned a general store in Simsboro and had a part interest in a cotton-ginning operation. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Church in Simsboro. He was also a member of the Lincoln Parish School Board for 27 years and was active in the Simsboro Masonic Lodge. For several years after the depression, Lue Mark worked in the general merchandise store on the State School for Exceptional Children grounds, near Simsboro. After this he was associated with Lenn T Langston and then U B Carpenters Stores. He was manager of the local U B Carpenter Store in Ruston for many years. Lue Mark and Maude Napper had two sons, James Harold Napper and L D "Buddy" Napper.
Harold Napper made his home in Simsboro after his marriage on January 15, 1945, to LaRue Bailey of Mt. Clinton, Virginia, one of eight children. Harold served as coach at Simsboro High School for several years before being promoted to principal of that same school. While in Simsboro, Harold served as Mayor of Simsboro for several years. LaRue graduated from Madison College and Rochingham Memorial Hospital School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse. After her marriage to Harold Napper she was a Registered Nurse at Lincoln General Hospital for many years. In 1964 Harold and LaRue Napper with their three sons, James Harold Napper, II, Lue Charles Napper, and Marshall Travis Napper moved to Ruston, where Harold took over as principal of Ruston High School. Harold has been actively involved in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association for many years, serving that organization as president on the Executive Committee of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Harold and LaRue's eldest son James Harold Napper, II, is today associated with the law firm of Shotwell, Brown, and Speny in Monroe. Jimmy is married to the former Charlotte Hightower, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C R "Bud" Hightower of Ruston. Lue Charles Napper, another son, is associated with Southern States General Agency, Inc., of Ruston, an insurance organization, and is married to the former Rebekah Marbury of Ruston, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Ardis Marbury, Jr. Marshall Travis Napper, youngest son of Harold and LaRue Bailey Napper, is completing an undergratuate degree at Louisiana Tech University with the intention of attending Law School after graduation.
Lue Mark and Maude Napper's younger son is former state representative from Lincoln Parish. His is L D "Buddy" Napper. Buddy is married to the former Sarah Ann Baskin, daughter of Mrs. Gladys Baskin and the late Sanders Baskin. Buddy is a practicing attorney in the firm of Waltman, Napper and Madden of Ruston. Buddy and Sarah Napper have three daughters, Mrs. Susan Napper Martin, wife of Wallace Martin of Vienna, La; Mrs. Katherine Napper Carmack, wife of Ken Carmack of Ruston; and Miss Laura Napper, a student at A E Phillips school.