LE BLANC, J. C., Ascension Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller
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Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and
Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 684-685.  Edited by Alcée
Fortier, Lit.D.  Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.

Le Blanc, J. Clarence, Donaldsonville, was born at Darrow, La., April 4, 1884,
and is a son of Adam and Alice (Comes) Le Blanc, both of whom were natives of
Ascension parish, which has been the home of this family and the scene of
their activities through many generations.  The paternal grandparents, Lesin
and Corinne (Arcenaux) Le Blanc, were born in the same parish as were the
parents, as also the maternal grandparents, Camille and Estelle (Braud) Comes;
the paternal great-grandfather, John Batiste LeBlanc, and the maternal
great-grandparents, Navol and Artemise (Le Blanc) Braud.  The ancestors of the
Le Blanc family in Louisiana came to this state from Canada.  The mother's
ancestors came originally from, France.  Adam Le Blanc, the father, devoted
his energies to the occupation of a chief engineer in sugar houses.  He died
in 1896, at the family home in Darrow.  John Batiste Le Blanc served as a
Confederate soldier throughout the term of the Civil war, while Camille Comes
served in that capacity 3 years.  Mrs. Le Blanc, mother of J. Clarence,
retains a vivid recollection of the stirring events of Civil war times, and
especially of the battle of Port Barre.  J. Clarence Le Blanc was the 2nd of 8
children born to his parents, 5 of these being now living.  The 8, in order of
birth, were as follows:  Lena, died in infancy;  J. Clarence, more
particularly referred to later on;  Louis Leo, educated at St. Joseph's
Commercial institute, Donaldsonville, and now in the service of the Southern
Pacific R. R., at Algiers, La., married to Miss Emma Landry, to which union 2
children have been born.  Andrew Tilden, the 4th child, died in infancy. 
Louise was educated at St. Vincent's academy, Donaldsonville, her training at
this institution including a complete commercial course.  Allen died at the
age of 7 years.  Marie Hilda attended the Donaldsonville high school and St.
Vincent's academy, taking the commercial course, and is now studying music. 
Adam Joseph graduated from St. Joseph's Commercial institute with the class of
1912, and now occupies the position of ticket agent at Donaldsonville for the
Texas & Pacific R. R.  J. Clarence Le Blanc received his earlier education at
private schools in the vicinity of his birthplace and later took a
correspondence course in mechanical engineering.  His father died when the son
had barely attained his 12th year, and this necessitated the abandonment of
his studies for the time, and the assumption of the responsibilities of the
head of the family.  At that early age he supervised the grinding of a crop of
cane on the family plantation near Darrow, and from that time continued as
manager of the plantation until attaining his seventeenth year, when he
entered Allen's foundry, at Donaldsonville, as apprentice, and there remained
6 years, progressing meantime to the machine shop, in which latter he had
valuable experience.  During these years he moved his mother and sisters from
the old home at Darrow to Donaldsonville, and established them  in a
comfortable home.  Following this he passed something more than 2 years away
from home, visiting Chicago and other places, for observation and experience,
and spending considerable time at Beaumont and San Antonio, Tex.  He then
returned to Louisiana and became chief engineer on E. D. White's plantation in
Assumption parish, but after 2 years in this capacity returned to
Donaldsonville and established the Ascension machine shops on his own account,
doing sugar house machine work, automobile repairs, and general machine
business.  This enterprise has prospered from its beginning, and while it is
evident to the observer that the business is ably managed, its gratifying
success rests primarily upon the solid foundation of the confidence the people
have in the man behind the business.  He has accomplished much for a man of
his years and opportunities, and enjoys the esteem of the people among whom
his lot has been cast. Politically, Mr. Le Blanc is an independent.  He is a
member of the Catholic church, and is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus,
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Woodmen of the World, and carries a
policy in the New York Life Insurance Co.  Oct. 5, 1909, J. Clarence Le Blanc
was married to Miss Corinne Oubre, daughter of Joseph and Corinne (Gourdin)
Oubre, of St. James parish.  No children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Le
Blanc.