COUVILLION, Adrien.  Bayou des Glaises, Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Randy DeCuir




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Adrien Couvillion, planter, and one of the old and highly-esteemed citizens of
the parish, was born on March 4, 1813, and is the son of Adrien and Celeste
(Mayeux) Couvillion. The father was born in Pointe Coupee Parish, La., and
when a young man he moved to Avoyelles Parish at a time when there were but
very few settlers. He married shortly after coming here, and settled on a
tract of land near where Marksville now stands.25 He died in February, 1835.
Grandfather Amable Couvillion was born in Canada, and was among those who were
banished. He removed to Louisiana and settled in Pointe Coupee Parish, were he
received his final summons. Adrien Couvillion was reared and received a
limited education in Avoyelles Parish. He has been a great reader all his
life, and has acquired a good practical education, being well informed on all
subjects, and particularly public affairs. In 1831 he pre-empted land where he
now resides, and built a small house, after cutting out the canebrake, so that
he could cultivate the soil. His marriage to Miss Scholastique Rabalais
daughter of V. Rabalais, occurred on July 10, 1832. The father was a native of
this parish, and was a planter by occupation. Immediately after marriage Mr.
Couvillion moved onto his new place, taking all his earthly possessions in an
ox-cart, and his experience in the raw country was full of adventure and
interest. About the year 1820 he saw the first steamboat, named "Arkansas,"
that ever sailed up Red River, and he also saw the first steamboat on Bayou De
Glaize, in 1840. He has seen the country develop from a wilderness to its 
present prosperous condition, and has done his share toward its improvement.
Mr. Couvillion has devoted his life to operating his plantation, and has
accumulated considerable property. His first wife lived only three years, and
in 1836 he was married to Miss Mary Lemoine, daughter of Baptiste Lemoine, who
was born in Louisiana, and who was a planter by pursuit. To the first union of
Mr. Couvillion were born two children, and his second marriage resulted in the
birth of thirteen children. He has now forty-four grandchildren and seven
great-grandchildren. The whole family are members of the Catholic Church.
Though of such a ripe old age, Mr. Couvillion is active and robust in
appearance, and bids fair to live many years yet. 

(Adrien is ancestor of Susan Normand DeCuir, wife of Randy DeCuir)