M. J. ROSTEET
                Lake Charles, Calcasieu Par., LA


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Source: Southwest Louisiana Historical and Biographical by William Henry Perrin
published in 1891; page 186.
Typed by Margaret Rentrop Moore


M. J. ROSTEET, Lake, Charles.-M. J. Rosteet, the oldest merchant of Lake
Charles, was born near Donaldsonville on the Lafourche, September  
15, 1836.  He is the son of M. J. and Marguerite (Hernandez) Rosteet, the former
a native of the Island of Majoca  and the latter of Louisiana. M. J. Rosteet,
Sr., died before the birth of our subject, and but little of his history 'IS
known. Early in life he was a seafaring man, and later gave his attention to
sugar and cotton raising.
The subject of this sketch received a fair business education and began business
life at the age of seventeen in a saw-mill, as a laborer, and subsequently was
engaged as clerk in a mercantile establishment. Afterward he became
clerk in the sheriff's office under Jonathan H. Cole, of Calcasieu parish.
During the latter part of the war he served in Ragsdale Battalion of Texas
Cavalry, and was in New Orleans when the city was taken by the Federals. After
the war he was for a time engaged in the clerk's office, and in 87c, began
business on his own account. Since 1883 he has been associated with others in
business, and the present firm of which he is a member does a flourishing
business.  Mr. Rosteet has been very successful; having begun life penniless he
has acquired his present comfortable fortune. He was at one time elected
assessor of the parish, but He did not fill the position. He was
treasurer of the city for sixteen years.
In 1860 Mr. Rosteet married Miss Mary J. Church. She died in 1872, having become
the mother of four children.
January, 1875, Mr. Rosteet married a second time, Miss Mary T. McCormick, sister
of Jno. McCormick, editor and proprietor of Lake Charles Commercial. They are
the parents of two children. He and family are members of the Catholic church.