Mini Bios of People of Scots Descent
Col. William Polk

COL. WILLIAM POLK. No name in the annals of the country is more highly honored, or held in more profound esteem than that of Polk. It dates with prominence far back in American history. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was Col. William Polk, of Raleigh, N. C. He served with prowess in the Revolutionary War, and was one of the July members of "The Order of Cincinnatus," of which George Washington was president, and Knox, secretary. Gen. Thomas G. Polk, the eldest son of Col. William Polk, was the father of Col. Polk. He was a graduate of Yale, and a man of ability. Col. Polk was graduated from Chapel Hill, and came from North Carolina to Tennessee with his parents in his early boyhood. Later on he emigrated to Louisiana, and for several years was connected in the culture of cane, with his distinguished uncle, Bishop Polk. He made his mark in the State, as a man of ability, and soon amassed a fortune, being at the breaking out of the war one of the largest slave owners in the State. He cared little for the political arena, was conservative, disapproved of secession, but when he saw it was inevitable, was heart and soul with the South. He sustained heavy losses, but has become one of the successful planters of Rapides. Since the war he has built up a lovely home, and is one of Rapides' honored citizens. He married Miss Lamar, of Georgia, a name also of National fame, and a family that has given to the country men of prowess, and women and culture. Col. Polk has three children born and reared in Rapides Parish: Alice (a woman of exquisite loveliness, married Mr. W. P. Flower, a prominent sugar planter of the parish), Eloise (married Mr. D. S. Ferris, of New York, a young man highly connected), and William Polk, Jr. Mrs. Ferris and her husband reside on the plantation; she is a woman of rare culture and refinement, and is a devoted wife and daughter, making the home one of pleasantness and peace, for her husband and parents. William Polk, Jr., or Willie Polk as he is familiarly called, is a young man who is slightly passed his majority, and a rising politician of the State. He was educated in the best schools of the State, and is brilliant and ambitious. He is a member of the police jury of Rapides Parish, and is an active participant in all public affairs of his parish and State. He is looked upon as a subject of future honors outside of his parish, and the outlook for him is full of promise. The following is a description of the coat-of-arms of the Polk family: On a shield of green, a cross of gold between three bugles of silver. The "crest"-greatest of heraldic honors-"wild boar transfixed with an arrow," the device-"Boldly and firmly!" The coronet on the shield represents the royal Stewarts of Scotland. The founder of the Polk family in America inherited the blood of a long line of Scottish kings. He was a direct descendant of Lady Egdia Stewart, daughter of Princess Margaret, and sister of King Robert II. Margaret was aunt of the Earl of Lennox, who was grandfather of King James IV, and direct ancestor of Queens Elizabeth and Victoria of England. The American Polk family is called in Scotland, "The Clan of High Officers."