Albert Estorage, Iberia Parish, Louisiana Submitted by Frances Ball Turner ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** History of Louisiana by Chambers Vol. II, pg. 93 Albert Estorge. As long as the important business interests of New Iberia, Louisiana, are sustained by such able, responsible men as Albert Estorge and his trustworthy associates, her commercial prosperity is sufficiently assured. Mr. Estorge occupies a position of prominence here as president of the State National Bank of New Iberia, of the Estorge Drug Company, and of the New Iberia Chamber of Commerce. Albert Estorge was born at Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, March 6, 1868, second son of Dr. J. Leonard and Julia (Buard) Estorge, and grandson of Jean Maurice Estorge. The grandfather was born at Tulle, France, and was in early manhood when he came to America and established his home at Opelousas, Louisiana, where, in the course of time, he became an extensive planter and a leading merchant. Dr. J. Leonard Estorge was born in 1830, in St. Landry Parish on Bayou Courtableau, Louisiana, and died at Opelousas in 1880, where the greater part of his useful life had been passed. He was mainly educated in Parish, graduating first from an academical college and later from the French medical college from which he received his degree of M.D. He became eminent in his profession in his section of the state and was tireless in medical service in the Confederate army all through the war between the states. It was while exercising his skill at Natchitoches, Louisiana, that he became acquainted with Miss Julia Buard, who was born there in 1841 and died at Opelousas in 1876. This lady became his wife, and five children were born to them: Edward L., who is associated with his younger brother in business at New Iberia; Albert; and Marcelline, Lucie and Stella, all three of who reside at New Iberia, the entire family being members of St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church. Albert Estorge was a student in the Jesuit College at Grand Coteau, Louisiana, until he was sixteen years old, when he was deemed sufficiently proficient to enter upon the study of a profession, and perhaps it was an inherited tendency that made him choose pharmacy. For four years afterward he was a clerk and student in the drug store at Opelousas, and then became a clerk in the drug store of Dr. F.C. Latiolais, in Lafayette Parish, where he continued for three years prior to purchasing a half interest in the business, when the firm name became Latiolais & Estorge. The junior partner remained in that connection until 1890, when he came to New Iberia, after selling his interest in the above firm. In 1891 Mr. Estorge established his own drug store in New Iberia and conducted it under his own name until 1900, in which year he formed a partnership with his brother Edward and since that time the business has been carried on under the style of the Estorge Drug Company. Through business enterprise and good judgment, this concern has become the acknowledged leader in its line between New Orleans and Houston, Texas, with a prosperous branch store at Alexandria, Louisiana, which does business under the name of The Rapides Drug Company of Alexandria. The firm owns its commodious store building and offices situated at No. 128-132 Main Stree, New Iberia, where it conducts an extensive wholesale as well as retail business. Mr. Estorge has additional business interests. In 1898 he assisted in the organization of the State National Bank of New Iberia, of which he was later made president and has so continued, a sound financial institution, amply capitalized and ably managed, that has prospered from the first. Mr. Estorge was married at New Iberia to Miss Irene Burgess, daughter of Dr. Louis A. and Caroline (Maes) Burgess, both of whom are deceased, and they have two children: Maud, who resides with her parents; and Gerald, who is a student in the College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Estorge owns real estate at New Iberia which includes his comfortable residence on East Main Street. In politics he is a democrat and is president of the Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Iberia Spanish Lake Club, the Southern Drug Club, the State Pharmaceutical Association of Retail Druggists and the National Wholesale Druggists' Association. He is a member of Iberia Council No. 1208, Knights of Columbus, and of New Iberia Lodge No. 554, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.