Wise, James Calvert, 1823-1904.

A native of Maryland, Wise settled in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, in 1841. There, he served as sheriff and tax collector and represented the parish in the state legislature. When the Civil War broke out, he organized the Red River Rebels, which became part of the First Louisiana Regiment, participating in the Battle of Seven Pines and the Seven Days Battle. He then served as captain and assistant quartermaster at Alexandria and colonel and quartermaster general at Shreveport.

After the Civil War, Wise returned to Rapides parish where he was active in reorganizing the Democratic party, serving on the Rapides Parish Democratic Executive Committee. He was elected to the state legislature for 1878-1884. During this time and after, he owned and operated the cotton and sugar plantation Grand Bend on the Red River, south of Alexandria.