Fortier, James P. (DDS); Ascension Parish;now Lafourche Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller

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Fortier, James P., D. D. S., of Thibodaux, Lafourche parish, La., was 
born in Donaldsonville, Ascension parish, Aug. 4, 1886, the son of 
James J. Fortier, a native of that town (Nov. 8, 1859), and Ludivine 
(Maillet) Fortier, who was born in Donaldsonville, Sept. 15, 1860.  
Both are living at the place of their birth.  The Fortier family 
history in Louisiana begins with the early French colonial period of 
the state, only a few years after Bienville founded the city of New 
Orleans in the beginning of the 18th century.  From pioneer days to 
the present time the Fortiers have been closely identified with the 
best interests of Louisiana, and have distinguished themselves in the 
public, professional life of New Orleans and of the state.  Lestang 
and Erma (Braud) Fortier, paternal grandparents of Jame
s P. Fortier, 
were natives of Donaldsonville; and his maternal grandfather was born 
in Bordeaux, France.  Lestang Fortier was an officer in the Confederate 
army during the Civil war, 1861-1865, serving 3 years as lieutenant in 
a Louisiana regiment.  He was, for many years, in mercantile business 
in Donaldsonville.  The subject of this sketch having gone through his 
preliminary studies in his native town, attended St. Joseph's Commercial 
institute in Donaldsonville, and next studied at Jefferson college, 
Convent, St. James parish, Louisiana, 1900-1905; the year following he 
entered Philadelphia Dental college, remaim ing there 2 years; then 
returning to Louisiana and matriculating in the New Orleans College of
Dentistry, which now is part of Tulane university, and graduated with 
the degree of D. D. S. in 1908.  Dr. Fortier began practicing his 
profession in Donaldsonville after his graduation, and in April, 1910, 
went to reside in Thibodaux.  In professional and fraternal life the 
doctor is connected with the Louisiana State and the Third District 
Dental societies, the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Knights of 
America and with the dental fraternity, Gamma chapter, Xi Psi Phi. 
Following modern methods in his professional work and having an office 
equipment strictly up to date, Dr. Fortier has taken rank with 
the 
able and distinguished dentists of the state of Louisiana.  Feb. 1, 
1912, he married Miss Nita Foret of Thibodaux, daughter of the late 
Justillan Foret and Eliska (Breaux) Foret, who were extensively 
interested in sugar planting in Lafourche parish.  Since the death 
of Mr. Foret the business has been conducted under the name of "Mrs. 
Justillan Foret and Sons."  Dr. Fortier and wife have one son, James 
P. Fortier, Jr.,  born Nov. 23, 1912.  The family are members of the 
Roman Catholic church.

Source:  Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, 
Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic 
Form (volume 3), pp. 169-170.  Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D.  
Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.