WALET, (Prof.) L. A., Iberia Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller


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Walet, Prof. L. A., parish superintendent of schools, New Iberia, was born on his father's farm at
Belle Place, Iberia parish, La.,  Sept. 7, 1886, son of John H. and Theresa (Mestayer) Walet, the
former of whom was born in St. Martin parish, in the year 1848.  As a young man, John H. Walet
the father, was employed as a traveling salesman.  Later he purchased a farm and located at Belle
Place, afterward operating the farm and teaching in the public schools, one of the schools being
located on his farm.  Theresa (Mestayer) Walet, the mother, was born in Iberia parish.  Both
parents are living at this time.  The paternal grandfather, Henry Walet, was a native of France.  On
first coming to America, he located at Norfolk, Va., later came south and located in St. Martin
parish, La., at a very early date, engaging in farming.  During the Civil war he served as mayor of
St. Martinville.  L. A. Walet acquired his early education under his father's instruction.  In 1901 he
entered the Louisiana State normal, at Natchitoches, from which he graduated in 1904.  From this
latter date until 1908, he filled the position of principal of the Thibodaux high school, and from
1908 to 1912, inclusive, he was principal of the New Iberia high school.  In the latter year he was
elected parish superintendent of schools, being now incumbent of that office, the duties of which
he is discharging in a most creditable manner.  He, with the school board, is now making an effort
to place the schools of the parish on a more substantial financial basis, by trying to have submitted
to the voters a plan to raise more money for school purposes, thus permitting the employment of
teachers at better salaries, and making needed improvements in several specific directions.  It is
being pointed out to the people of the parish that they can make no better investment than that of
providing liberally for the education of their children, the dividends upon which, more often than
upon any other investment, bring peace, pardonable pride, and happiness to parental hearts. 
These are the direct returns, very often supplemented with the by-product of greater material
prosperity and consequent affluence and contentment.  If the plans now being fostered by Prof.
Walet and the school board are carried to a successful conclusion, great credit will be due Prof.
Walet for his untiring zeal in their behalf.

Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged
in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 794-795.  Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D.  Published in 1914,
by Century Historical Association.