DeBellevue, Cassius B.;  Avoyelles Parish;  now Acadia Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller




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DeBellevue, Cassius B., district attorney, 18th judicial district, composed 
ofAcadia and Lafayette parishes, La.; residence, Crowley, Acadia parish, was
born at Marskville, Avoyelles parish, La., Sept. 10, 1877.  His father, O. 
B. DeBellevue, also was born at Marksville, Avoyelles parish, April 21, 
1853, and practically has devoted his life to newspaper work.  He is now 
editor and owner of the Avoyelles Enterprise.  Although a Democrat, and 
always active in upholding the principles of his party, even though this 
at times may work a hardship upon him personally, he has never been an 
officeholder, with the exception of 1 term during which he consented to 
serve as a justice of the peace because it appeared his duty under the 
circumstances.  His wife, Angeline (Normand) DeBellevue, mother of the 
subject of this sketch, is a native of Avoyelles parish, La.  Both parents 
are living at this time and going about their respective affairs with their
accustomed zest and hearty goodwill to their neighbors and fellow towns-
people, among whom they have always enjoyed especial popularity and the 
highest esteem.  The paternal grandfather, F. B. DeBellevue, was a native 
of the state of Louisiana, made his home in Avoyelles parish, in which 
locality his life ended peacefully after a career of active usefulness as 
a citizen of that region.  During a number of years he filled the office 
of deputy clerk of court and served on the bench as parish judge.  The 
family ancestors came from France.  Cassius B. DeBellevue was fifth of 
10 children born to his parents, these being, in order of their birth:  
Albert, now business manager of the Avoyelles Enterprise, his father's 
newspaper;  Cecile and  Blanche, twins, the latter of whom is now the wife
of Charles Brown, of Marksville;  Angelica,  Cassius B., the subject of
this sketch;  Ulyse, painter and paper hanger contractor, of Alexandria; 
Sidney, a traveling salesman of New Iberia;  Etna, wife of Elie Guidroz, of
Pointe Coupee parish, La.;  Leo B., a practicing attorney; of Crowley; and 
Cilton, a traveling salesman of Waco, Tex.  Cassius B. DeBellevue received 
his earlier education at public and private schools in Avoyelles parish. 
After the completion of his academic education he became a traveling s
alesman, his territory lying in the Southern and middle Western states, 
remaining in his employment until the time of his marriage.  Jan. 26, 1905,
Mr. DeBellevue was married to Miss Belle Wilkinson, a daughter of B. 
Wilkinson, of Whitecastle, La.  After his marriage Mr. DeBellevue became 
identified with mercantile pursuits at the city of New Orleans and at 
Rayne, La., and while so engaged devoted his spare time to the study of law,
making such good use of this spare time that on March 12, 1910, after 
examination before the supreme court of the state of Louisiana, he was 
licensed as a practicing attorney.  Within a short time after having been 
admitted to the bar, he established himself in offices at Crowley, La., and
there began the practice of his profession, at that time initiating what 
gives every promise of becoming a notable career as a Southern lawyer.  
The term  "notable career as a Southern lawyer" is here used advisedly, and 
with a full appreciation of the many brilliant records and great names to 
be found among the annals of attorneys who have risen to positions of 
eminence and whom the South number among her gifted sons.  In 1912 Mr. 
DeBellevue became a candidate for the office of district attorney, and so 
successful was his campaign that, in spite of the fact of opposition by two 
able attorneys each seeking the office, he received almost half of the
votes cast in the first primary election, and his ultimate triumphant 
election was made so plain that the most successful of the two opposing 
candidates withdrew from  the race and left Attorney DeBellevue to be 
elected without further opposition.  In addition to his increasing 
popularity as a lawyer, and his jovial good fellowship among people of 
all classes, he is an exceptionally good campaigner, strong and forceful 
in his arguments, of splendid physique and commanding personality, 
sympathetic and highly appreciative of trusts reposed in him, cordial in
his greeting, optimistic of temperament and always ready to lend a hand 
in aid of his fellow-citizen, and with all these fortunate endowments 
combining the student's love of his law books, it is easy to see that the 
pathway of this southern Louisiana lawyer is to lead ever upward to greater
achievement.  In his campaign for the office of district attorney he was 
opposed both by the political organization and the newspapers, and was 
comparatively new in the district.  His election was a personal triumph in 
every way flattering.  Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
DeBellevue, these being  Merritt,  Fay, and  Lyle.  Mr. DeBellevue is a
Roman Catholic and is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks and of the Knights of Columbus, being past grand knight in the latter
organization, of Crowley council No. 1318, and enjoying the distinction of
having been elected grand knight within less than 1 year after having been
admitted as a member.  In Aug., 1913, he figured as one of the organizers of
the Association of District Attorneys for Louisiana, and is a member of the
executive board of that organization.  In his manner of handling the
prosecution of Dora Murff and James Duval, recently on trial for the murder 
of Delhaye, Mr. DeBellevue demonstrated marked ability as a prosecutor in
criminal cases, and the fact that he secured the conviction to his skill 
and ability as an attorney, and a striking proof that of both defendants
seems to be generally accepted as largely due the 18th district made no 
mistake in the selection of its district attorney.  This trial lasted 13
days, and afforded a remarkable display of legal talent on both sides.  
Many thought the defendants would not be convicted.

Source:  Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events,
Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp.
120-122.  Edited by Alcee Fortier, Lit.D.  Published in 1914, by Century
Historical Association.