BAROUSSE, (Hon.) Homer, Acadia Parish, Louisiana
Submitted for the LA GenWeb Archives by Mike Miller


************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
************************************************
 

Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, 
Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 591-592.  Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D.  
Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.

Barousse, Hon. Homer, Church Point, Acadia parish, La., was born in Acadia (then St. 
Landry) parish, La., Sept. 25, 1850; son of John and Caroline (Fontenot) Barousse, 
the former of whom was a native of France, born Sept. 25, 1820, and died at Church 
Point, in the year 1893.  He came to America when 18 years old, landing at New 
Orleans, where he remained only a short time, then proceeding to St. Martinville, 
where he engaged in business as a pack-peddler, walking from place to place.  Later 
he purchased a horse for use in his business, and thereafter made much more rapid
progress.  Finally he removed to Church Point and there opened a store, which 
prospered from its start.  He was a very sagacious business man, and made substantial 
advances in his mercantile pursuits, to which he devoted the remainder of his active 
life, with the exception of some time during the Civil war, when he served as tax 
assessor of St. Landry parish.  His wife, Caroline Fontenot, was born in St. Landry 
(now Acadia) parish, and died at Church Point, Feb. 3, 1907, at the age of 86 years. 
She was a daughter of D. Fontenot, who was born in St. Landry parish, where he 
passed his whole life.  Homer Barousse, the subject of this sketch, was the second 
of 9 children born to his parents, only four of whom survive at this time, these 
being as follows: 
Euproisine, now the wife of William McBride; Homer, the subject of this sketch;  
Anies, now the wife of L. David;  Orore, now the wife of Leonard Frankie.  Homer 
Barousse was educated at private schools and at Washington, La.  In the year 1869 he 
was married to Miss Emily Daigle, a daughter of T. Daigle, both father and daughter 
being natives of St. Landry parish.  To this union 11 children have been born, namely:  
Oscar,  Homer, Jr.;  Edgar, deceased;  Morris,  Nash,  Felix, Bertrand,  Ledia,  
Lillie,  Fernando and  Joseph Arno.  Mr. Barousse and members of his family
are affiliated with the Roman Catholic church.  He has acted with the Democratic 
party since the time of casting his first ballot, and has served the people of his 
section and of the state in various official capacities.  In 1887 he was elected a 
member of the police jury, and was successively elected to the same office during 12 years following.  He also served as chairman of the
Democratic executive committee of the parish during a number of years.  In 1894 he 
was elected to the Louisiana state senate, to succeed Senator D. B. Hayes, from the 14th senatorial district,
comprising Acadia, St. Landry and Evangeline parishes.  After serving this term in 
the senate he did not again become a candidate until the year 1900, when he was elected to a second term in the
senate, and has since been 3 times reelected to the same office, being at this time 
senator from the 14th district.  In the last election he had no opposition.  In 1913 
he was elected and served as a member of the state constitutional convention.  
Senator Barousse became a partner in his father's mercantile business at the time of 
his marriage, when 19 years old, this partnership continuing until the death of the 
father, when the son purchased the father's interest in the business and became sole 
owner of the store, which he has since operated.  In 1911 the business was destroyed
by fire, but was reopened at its present location.  Sen. Barousse's 3 sons are now 
associated with him in mercantile business, under the firm name of H. Barousse & 
Sons.  In 1902 he took a leading part in the organization of the Commercial bank of 
Church Point, and was at that time elected its president, of which responsible 
position he has remained incumbent to this time.  The senator is largely interested, 
also, in planting, having about 800 acres now under cultivation. Cotton and corn are 
the principal crops grown on his plantation.  To Sen. Barousse belongs the
distinction, it is said, of having introduced the first bill aimed at creating a 
state railroad commission for Louisiana.  His bill failed of passage at that time, 
but it, nevertheless, set in motion the influences that ultimately resulted in the 
creation of the railroad commission of Louisiana.  Other measures introduced or 
initiated by him have been directed, chiefly, toward the improvement of local 
conditions affecting the people of the 14th district.  During the last session
of the state senate Sen. Barousse served as a member of the following committees:  
Election qualifications, registration and constitution, internal improvements, parks 
and public buildings, banks and banking, enrollment, auditing and supervising expenses 
of the senate.

#  #  #