Historical Notes

Euphemie Broussard, born August 1, 1836, died Feb. 14, 1852. 
 
This is the oldest recorded grave.  Euphemie and Aspasie (died January 20, 1858) were children of Edouard Theophile Broussard who married Euphemie Broussard (1850 census shows Euphemie, 14 years old and Aspasie, 7 years old, as children of above.)
 
Edouard Theophile Broussard was a planter and stock raiser in Vermilion Parish and dealt heavily in cattle.  He was a large slave owner before the Civil War.  He served as Captain of the Vigilante Committee which was formed when banditry and crime got out of hand in the early days of Vermilion Parish history, and when judge and jury lacked the power to preserve order.  He served several terms as Parish Representative in the State Legislature.  (See History of Vermilion Parish, p. 92, and “The Vigilante Committees of the Attakapas”, an eyewitness account of banditry and backlash in Southwest Louisiana, by Alexander Barde, edited and annotated by David C. Edmonds and Dennis Gibson, 1981).  Euphemie Broussard, wife of Edouard Theophile Broussard was from St. Martin Parish, which might account for the marble stone coming from St. Martinville.
 
Velta’s notes:  Note the tablet inscription on both ends and the typical iron cross of Spanish influence.
Robert D. Smith, died July 15, 1896.
 
Abbeville Meridional – July 25, 1896:  Reprint of an item from Patterson Optic:  One of Patterson’s old and honored citizens, R. D. Smith, died last Tuesday in Abbeville.  Mr. Smith was for many years bookkeeper for F. B. Williams.  He moved to Abbeville a short time ago thinking the change would benefit him as his condition was very low.  Although his death was expected for some time, it caused profound regret in the whole community.
 
            Notes from Velta: This was the first tomb restored because it is unique – couldn’t read the inscription because it was very black.  The grave is of Robert Smith and Mrs. Robert Smith.   This grave is unique – the headstone shows the crossed hands.  The woman’s hands are on the left and man’s on right.  This symbolizes Holy Matrimony – a union to remain inseparable after life.  It is believed Mr. Smith lived in Franklin and was told to go West to cure his illness, and moved to Abbeville and died here.
 
 
Eusebe Guidry, died June 23, 1861.
 
1850 Census of Vermilion Parish shows Eusebe Guidry as a rather prosperous farmer married to Marie Broussard.  He was the son of Joseph Guidry and Scholastique Hebert.  No other information available.  Velta’s notes: notice the ornate headstone–one of a kind in this cemetery. 
 
 
John Bagley who died Sept. 3, 1889.
 
   Abbeville Meridional – Sept. 7, 1889 (Saturday)
Mr. John Bagley, an old and respected citizen of the third ward, died last Tuesday at his residence, the old Nick Young place, after a brief illness.  Mr. Bagley was a native of Ireland and had removed to this Parish some eight years ago.  He was a very industrious man, a good Catholic, an exemplary citizen whose loss is deeply regretted by all who knew him.
 
Vermilion Parish History tells of the three Bagley brothers who came from Ireland to Louisiana in about 1866.  They were John, the oldest who was born in 1834, and Martin and Timothy.  They first lived in Lafourche Parish but later moved to Vermilion where, in partnership, they were engaged in sugar planting and merchandising.  They owned eighteen hundred acres of land, raising enormous crops of cane and corn.  They had a sugar refinery with the capacity of manufacturing about two hundred barrels of sugar per day and their own railroad shuttled between the fields and the refinery.  (Southwest Louisiana, Historical and Biographical, Henry Perrin, P. 280).
 
            Velta’s notes:  Note the curve on the top of this tomb – with the added height at back and front.  It also held a picture of the deceased – a prevalent custom abroad.
 
 
Nathaniel W. Hayes, died May 6, 1875.
 
Old Vermilion Parish Church Records, P. 437, item 39.
 
3 May 75         Nathan W. Hayes, born at Hagerstown, MD, died at residence of F. R. King in Abbeville where he was temporarily residing.  Buried in the Abbeville Catholic Cemetery.  Witnesses E. T. Smith, D. D. Valcourt, and F. R. King.  He was 40 years of age.  (F. R. King was a lawyer in the town of Abbeville.)
 
            Velta’s note:  This was left dark to show you the contrast.
 
 
Fernand P. Beauxis, who died November 24, 1938.
 
   Abbeville Meridional – Nov. 26, 1938
Fernand P. Beauxis Claimed by Death.
Funeral services were held at St. Mary Magdalene Church here Friday afternoon at 3:00 O’clock for Fernand P. Beauxis, who died at 4:00 O’clock Thursday afternoon at his home here.  A lifelong resident of Abbeville, Mr. Beauxis was engaged for many years in the livestock business and in other businesses here.  He served as member of the Town Council and as Justice of the Peace for many years.
Members of the Woodmen of the World of Abbeville and Vermilion Parish attended the funeral services in a body.  Mr. Beauxis has been a member of the Woodmen of the World here for many years.
Mr. Beauxis was the son of the late Mr. And Mrs. J. M. Beauxis who were among the first settlers of Abbeville.  Mr. Beauxis’ father was a native of France and developed a permanent business location in Abbeville which is still in the hands of the Beauxis family.
Surviving Mr. Beauxis are his widow, nee Lydia LeBlanc; five sons, Sidney of New Iberia, John of Port Barre, Aristede, Alvin, and Reynald of Abbeville; two daughters, Mrs. Dewey Stansbury, and Mrs. E. M. Stokes of Abbeville.  Also surviving is a sister, Miss Leontine Beauxis.  Funeral arrangements were in change of R. W. Bernard of Abbeville.
 
John M. Beauxis, father of Fernand Beauxis, was born in France and emigrated to Mexico in 1866 and served as interpreter for the French government custom house at Zacatecas.  This was during the regime of Maximilian.  At the Battle of Queretaro Maximilian was captured and Beauxis was driven out of Mexico by the Juarez government.  He came to New Orleans and in 1870 located in Abbeville.  He served for three years as tax collector and as clerk in the assessor’s office for three years.  He owned three hundred acres of land and about thirty town lots.  He had the most extensive grocery business in town at one time.  He married Marie Trahan (See Southwest Louisiana, Historical and Biographical, Henry Perrin, p. 281).
 
 
 
Marie Euranie Simon, wife of John J. Abshire, who died Jan. 21, 1890.
 
    Abbeville Meridional, January 25 (Saturday) 1890
Mrs. John Abshire, Sr. died last Tuesday at the residence of her husband near Bayou Queue de Tortue.  She leaves a large circle of friends to mourn her death.
 
John J. Abshire lived until 1913 when he died at the age of 89.  The Abbeville Meridional of March 1, 1913, writes:
 
Death of a Patriarch:
With the expiration of the old year, 1912, the flickering spark sent forth from the earthly tenement, and a good man, John Jacob Abshire, was gathered to his fathers at the ripe old age of 89 years and 6 months.
One by one, the old patriarchs are bidding us of the present generation a farewell adieu.  Mr. Abshire had lived all these years in the Queue de Tortue section where he was one of the pioneer merchants, in fact the only one in a wide scope of country.  He accumulated a fortune by industry and attention to business and retired some 25 years ago.  He is survived by several sons and daughters.  Dr. J. T. Abshire of Leroy is a grandson, being the eldest son of the late John J. Abshire, Jr. who succeeded his father in business.  The funeral took place New Years day at the Catholic Church at Leroy and was largely attended.
 
In the early days there were no roads, merely well-beaten trails across the broad prairies, covered with tall grasses and herds of horses and cattle; bridges were unknown.  Mr. Abshire’s store was on the Coulee des Illes, on the line of travel from St. Landry, Mamou prairie and the west Calcasieu region beyond the Mermentau.  The coulee … (unreadable) … the banks were steep and the bottom miry, and woe to the fellow who bogged!  With keen foresight and laudable enterprise the merchant built a substantial bridge over the coulee.  It was constructed out of three huge logs rough hewn, which were long enough to span the coulee from bank to bank; they were floored with heavy split oak puncheons.  In those primitive times money was scarce and of no particular moment.  People could not eat it, drink it if thirsty or use it as a bed quilt.  It was useful – as is the gold standard of today – as an imaginary measure of the value of the commodities.  Barter took its place and prices were wonderfully stable under  the system.  The toll for crossing the bridge was to pieux.  (Pieux were split cypress rails used for fencing.)
 
Velta’s note:  Scroll unfurled – Lilly symbol of resurrection.
 
 
Madam J. P. Gueydan, died Oct. 6,1860, at age 28
 
Josephine Ducommun (Miss Pepilla Ducommun) was the wife of John Pierre Gueydan, and Victoire Emelie, buried at the same site was their infant daughter born March 2, 1857, and died March 11, 1857.  (Old Vermilion Parish Church Records, Death Register 1854-69, #211).
 
I did not find the name Ducommun on any other records.  In 1863, Jean Pierre Gueydan married Amelia A. Montagne (of New Iberia).  His succession is dated February 4, 1901, but I did not find an obituary notice in the Meridional in January or February of 1901.
 
John Pierre Gueydan was among the first merchants of Abbeville, having a store on Rue de Bas de Ville, now Washington St.  David C. Edmonds, “Yankee Autumn in Acadiana” gives this information about Jean Pierre.  He tells of the Yankee policy during the Civil War of confiscating the staple products of the southern states, and as they pushed toward Texas in their fall campaign of 1863, they took what came their way in Louisiana.  “One unfortunate Frenchman who crossed their path was Jean Pierre Gueydan, a thirty-four-year-old merchant, cattle driver and lately, opportunist, who resided in Abbeville.  In his classic work on the History of the Vigilante Committees, Alexandre Barde referred to Gueydan as a ‘clean, honest, active merchant, acting and working always like the Wandering Jew of the legend.  He brought with him the old traditions of French honor:  self-respect, dignity and intelligence,’   Doubtless, Gueydan was, or had been, all these things; because of the war he was on the run from Confederate authorities for conscript evasion and, like so many others of the times, managed to carry on a lucrative speculation practice that few would have considered honorable.  Many of the overtaxed Louisiana planters and ranchers, faced with possible destruction or seizure of their produce from both Confederates and Yankees were all too eager to sell to speculators, such as Gueydan, for a price far lower than what the New Orleans market would otherwise command.
 
As the Yankees moved into Lafayette Parish, Gueydan reasoned that the time had come to move out some of the cotton he had previously purchased from John Republican Chreighton of Vermilionville, as well as from Eloi Guidry and Norbert Landry in Cote Gelee.  Claiming to be an avid Union supporter, Gueydan secured a safe conduct permit from the Union provost marshal in New Iberia and then arranged for twenty-four year old Jacques Bonnemaison, a Royville (present day Youngsville) merchant, to haul the cotton to Madame Eugene Olivier’s on the Teche.
 
…The Yankees proceeded to seize not only Gueydan’s cotton but also the remaining fifty bales on the Chreighton place … With cotton then selling at the unprecedented price of .68 cents per pound Chreighton and Gueydan’s combined loss that day exceeded eighteen thousand dollars or about $94,000 in terms of 1978 currency.”
 
Jean Pierre and his brother Francois, who evidently had gone on to Texas, bought 40,000 acres of land in 1884 for twelve and on-half cents per acre.  One year later Jean Pierre purchased his brother’s share of the land.  In 1896 Jean Pierre established a town on some of this land and it was called “Gueydan”.  It was ironic that the land was purchased for such a cheap price because the United States Surveyor stated that it was “sea marsh and overflowed lands, unfit for cultivation.”  Rice farming became the dominant industry and the town prospered.  (See History of Vermilion Parish, Gueydan).
 
            Velta’s notes:   The Gueydan family has quite a different headstone. It was restored with HTH compound as it was in bad condition.  It is the only tomb like this in the cemetery – more ornate at one time – top has fallen off.
 
Marie Bernard, wife of J. O. Lege, died Feb. 12, 1894
 
Marie Bernard was born March 23, 1873.  She married J. O’Neil Lege on April 4, 1891 and two children were born to them, Joseph Murchy and Charles Curley.  Marie died a little before her twenty-first birthday.
 
J. O’Neil Lege was a prominent businessman of Abbeville, in the hotel and tavern business.  He was proprietor of the Vermilion Hotel located on the corner of Port and Main Streets near the Vermilion River.  The hotel was there for only a few years and was destroyed by fire.  However, Lege continued to operate a coffee house on the site.  He lived until April 29, 1919.  He served as Mayor of Abbeville from 1890 to 1895.  (These are the grandparents of Mrs. John Donohue.)
 
 
Euranie Dartez, died Oct. 2, 1905
 
     Abbeville Meridional – October 7, 1905 (Saturday)
On Monday, October 2, at 1:45 p.m. Euranie Dartez, wife of F. D. Lege, died at her home.  Funeral services were held at the Catholic Church at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday.  The remains are laid to rest in the Catholic Cemetery.
 
Euranie was the wife of Francois Despanet Lege.  He and the above J. O’Neil Lege were both sons of Alexandre Lege.  Obituary notice from the Abbeville Meridional is as follows:  “Francois Despanet Lege, one of the best known men in town, died Saturday, April 10, 1915, at 11 o’clock at his home on Coulee Kinney, aged 75 years, son of Alexandre Lege who was sheriff of the Parish fourteen years immediately following the Civil War.  He was a successful farmer and stock man and had accumulated a fair share of this world’s goods.  He was a man of strong convictions and great physical courage; always took an active part in politics and played the game fair … Services were held at the Catholic Church and burial was in the new cemetery … He was a member of Vermilion Camp #607, United Confederate Veterans … he left a large number of children…”
 
Edmonds, “Yankee Autumn in Acadiana” tells of the problems facing Abbeville in the fall of 1863.  The town was somewhat off the beaten path of the opposing armies, but was filled with refugees, conscript evaders, deserters from both sides and dependents of Confederate servicemen.  The town was divided into two opposing camps of opinion:  those who supported the Confederacy and those “abolitionists” who did not.  “Francois D. Lege could not remember when he had been more frightened.  Though only twenty-three-years-old he was both deputy sheriff and parish constable and along with his father, Sheriff Alexandre Lege, was responsible for enforcing the laws of Vermilion Parish.  But what should he do about these Yankees – Fonda’s entire horse brigade – then dismounted between his father’s and uncle’s place?  They were helping themselves to hogs, chickens, and other produce but, so far, had done nothing really destructive.”
 
            Velta’s notes:  This is the only grave with the iron fence typical of the New Orleans cemeteries.
 
Robert Smith, died February 12, 1869
Wife of (Mrs.) Robert Smith died December 19, 1919
 
Only available information on this Robert Smith is that he died in Abbeville at age 28 on the 13^th of February, 1869.  I can find no other records.
 
     Abbeville Meridional – December 27, 1919
Mrs. Robert Smith aged 78 years, 6 months, and 3 days, died last Friday at the home of her niece Mrs. George M. Derouen at Perry’s Bridge and was buried here Saturday morning.  She was the daughter of the late Gerard Decuir and a sister of Mrs. Cesaire Derouen of Erath.
 
 
Floremond L. Melebeck died September 18, 1918.
 
     Abbeville Meridional – September 22, 1928
Pioneer Citizen Passes to Eternal Rest
Floremond L. Melebeck died at his home here on Tuesday, September 18, at 4:00 o’clock a.m. aged 65 years, 9 months, and 7 days.  The funeral took place Wednesday at 9:00 o’clock a.m. with services at the Catholic Church.  Interment was made in the Old Catholic Cemetery.
He is survived by the following children:  Mrs. Edgar Dutel of Houston, Miss Gertrude Melebeck of Abbeville; Clovis Melebeck, Abbeville; Carno Melebeck, Houston; Caeser Melebeck, Monroe; Conrad Melebeck, Abbeville; Claude Melebeck, Abbeville. 
 
Mr. Melebeck was a native of Abbeville, but at an early age was taken to Belgium by his uncle where he received his primary education.  Returning to this country at age 18 he shortly after accepted a position with Jacob Isaacs as clerk in a general merchandise store.
 
Giving up his position with Isaacs in the 80’s he established himself in a mercantile business in a building at the corner on Main and Port Streets.  Some time in the early 90’s this building was destroyed by fire, and was replaced by the one occupied at the time of his death.
 
In the late 90’s he was married to Miss Zulma Marie Laplace who preceded him to the grave five years ago.
 
Mr. Melebeck was one of the pioneers in the development of the town and parish and served as a member of the Abbeville Town Council for several terms.
 
He was a man of deep sympathies – ever ready to assist the weak and unfortunate and give wholesome advice to those struggling under adverse conditions.  He will be remembered as one of Vermilion’s most substantial citizens and his life will serve as a guiding star of the many who are groping in the shadows.
 
Jean LaPorte native of Rabastens, Hautes-Pyrenees, France, died January 28, 1867, married Alzina Hellebrent (Hillebrandt) who died January 7, 1883.
 
I did not find an obituary notice in the Abbeville Meridional for Alzina Hellebrandt.  The following obituaries from the Abbeville Meridional will give information about this family:
 
Mrs. Henry Cossette
Died
Cossette – At the residence of her brother, Robert Hillebrandt, in Abbeville, Louisiana, on Wednesday, January 1, 1902, at 5:30 o’clock a..m., Mrs. Henry Cossette, born February 20, 1876.  The deceased was a native of Jefferson County, Texas (Beaumont is the county seat) and after her marriage to Mr. Cosette in 1892 resided in Calcasieu Parish after which she moved to Canada and was a resident of Casimir P. Q. Canada.  About three months ago she came here in search of health.  She was a lady of many noble faculties and bore her long sufferings with that dreadful destroyer consumption with patient fortitude and Christian resignation.  She leaves three small children who are at their home in far off Canada.  Her husband was with her for several weeks prior to her death.  Her funeral took place in the Catholic Church on Thursday morning after solemn high mass and her remains were laid to rest in the Catholic Cemetery.
           
            Louis Laporte
Died
In New Orleans on Saturday, August 24, 1895, Louis Laporte aged 33 years and 6 months and 8 days.
The deceased was an exemplary young man, one of the largest stock owners and dealers in the parish.  His brave fight against the ravages of that terrible malady consumption had caused everyone to hope that the new serum treatment would prolong his life.  His remains arrived here Saturday evening by the train and on Sunday evening followed by a large concourse of sorrowing relatives and friends were laid to final rest in the Catholic Cemetery.  He was married in 1884 to Miss Aurora DeFrance who survives him.  Her patient and ceaseless devotion soothed his suffering as it brightened and gladdened his married life.  The lovely home that they had builded (sic) and furnished with such rare taste will be gloomy indeed now that the light has gone out.  Words of sympathy seem vain in hours of grief but the widow has them from all sources.
 
There was much early contact between the settlers in Vermilion Parish and the early settlers of the Beaumont, Texas area.  The cattle trails from Texas to the New Orleans market came through Vermilion and many of the early families of the Perry area moved on to the Beaumont, Texas area.  The Hillibrandts were evidently a Texas family as I do not find them on Vermilion Parish census records.  Jean LaPorte evidently had contacts with Texas, probably even living there himself before moving to Louisiana
 
Information provided by Clara Erath (Local historian who researched old Vigilante Records and microfilms of Abbeville Meridional to secure this information.)
 
            Velta’s notes:  Mrs. Cossette was the one who donated the white marble altar in the church.  She was said to have had three husbands.  Note the ornate headstone and again the crossed hands.  Before leaving show ornate iron cross – Ursin Vincent.
 
            10-30-90:  Henry Cossette died March 24, 1929 – age 73 years.  Next of Kin:  Aurore de France, wife.  Marguerite Aurore DeFrance died June 25, 1930, age 69 years.  Parents:  Jules DeFrance – Native of Sedan in the Arderness; and Caroline Boudreaux – Vermilion Parish.  1^st husband:  Jean Louis LaPorte; 2^nd husband:  Robert Hildebrandt; 3^rd husband – Henry Cossette.  Mr. Henry Cossette was first married to Corastique Hellebrant, native of Canada.  She died at age 25 years on January 1, 1902.    Jean Louis LaPorte married Marguerite Aurore DeFrance on April 10, 1883, Abbeville Ch. V 2 p. 306;  He was the son of the late Jean LaPorte and the late Alzina Hellebrent.  He died at 33 years of age.  August 24, 1895.  Born March 16, 1862.  Robert Hillebrande married Marguerite Aurore DeFranc June 22, 1899 Abbeville ch Vo. 3, page 364.  He was the son of the late Lastie Hellebrandt and the late Sara Sophie Taylor.  He died June 17, 1905 at age 41 years.  A very good man (notation of the priest).
 
Duhons – These large tombs – one covered with marble and one more recently covered with slate.  The Duhons are prominent Abbeville family whose ancestors were farmers and cattlemen.  At one time they owned thousands of acres of land, most of which was sold for 10 cents an acre.  Ancestors of Dean Duhon and Bernard Duhon.
 
Just recently J. C. Griffin moved a baby’s tomb (believed to be the tomb of Marie Bares) and hauled old bricks away.  There’s a lovely small cherub.
 
Marble plaque found in garage when church was renovated in 1987.  Name of those who contributed to communion rail.
 
Lastie Theriot/Emerite Barras:  Roy Theriot – former mayor and Comptroller – grandparents of our Rep. Sammy Theriot. 
 
 Woodman of World headstone – fraternal organization and insurance company – provided these headstones to members and wives.
 
Young tomb:  First mausoleum in City – has been added to throughout years – family doesn’t know all people buried there – recently restored by Dr. R. J. Young, Jr. – didn’t know it was a family tomb – previously restored by a cousin Dr. Marion Young, Jr.
 
Fr. Daulle:  popular – jovial – blue eyes – well liked – from France – died at breakfast room table in Rectory after lunch.

Notes Provided to Abbeville Tour Guides by Lelia Minvielle