RODRIGUE, Edward J., Assumption, then Orleans 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. 381-382.  Edited by Alc‚e
Fortier, Lit.D.  Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.

Rodrigue, Edward Joseph, surveyor of customs, port of New Orleans, was born in
the parish of Assumption, La., Oct. 31, 1878, the son of Edward J. and Pauline
(Dugas) Rodrigue.  His parents were natives of Assumption parish, and were
descendants of old and prominent families of Louisiana.  The father died of
yellow fever in 1878, age 24 years.  He was a son of Telesphore and Claire
(Verret) Rodrigue, who also were born in Assumption parish, where they spent
their lives, celebrating in 1907 the golden anniversary of their wedding.  The
wife died in 1911, age 83 years.  The paternal great-grandfather of Mr.
Rodrigue, Edward Rodrigue, came to Louisiana from Canada, and was of French
ancestry.  Mr. Rodrigue's mother, who lives with him, was a daughter of E. F.
X. Dugas, of Assumption parish, whose wife bore the maiden name of Armelise
Landry.  The Rodrigue and Dugas families have long been prominent sugar
planters of Assumption parish, and have borne an active part in the public
affairs of their community.  Both families are members of the Catholic church. 
The immediate subject of this sketch, and the only son of his parents, was
reared on the family plantation, in his native parish.  After completing his
common school education, he entered Spring Hill college, where he graduated in
1896, receiving the degree of bachelor of arts, and subsequently his alma
mater conferred on him the degree of A. M.  Mr. Rodrigue was valedictorian of
his class.  After leaving college he entered commercial life, first as a clerk
in a mercantile establishment in Assumption parish, and later in the lumber
business.  He was the organizer of the Louisiana Cooperage Co., which is
situated on Bayou Plaquemine, in Iberville parish; he was made secretary and
manager of said company, but had to retire from the lumber business on account
of failing health, although still having interest in the company.  In Dec.,
1905, he was appointed by Pres. Roosevelt assistant appraiser of merchandise
at New Orleans.  This position he filled most acceptably until Aug., 1912,
when Pres. Taft appointed him surveyor of customs.  In politics, Mr. Rodrigue
has always identified himself with the republican party, having been a member
of the parish, congressional, state, central and executive committees of his
party.  In 1912 he was a delegate to the national republican convention, and
received his party's nomination as a candidate for Congress, but withdrew from
the race in order to harmonize contending factions.  Mr. Rodrigue is a
Catholic in faith, and is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks, and the Chess, Checker, and Whist clubs,
Southern yacht club, and various other social organizations.  In 1901 Mr.
Rodrigue led to the altar Miss Ida Martin Himel, of Assumption parish.  Four
children have blessed this union, namely,  George P.,  Jeanne A.,  Lucy May,
and  Edward A. Rodrigue.