MONROE F. BUVENS, Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by: Gaytha Carver Thompson
Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville,  1890



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MONROE F. BUVENS

Monroe F. Buvens, a popular young business man and merchant of Robeline, La.,
owes his nativity to Many, Sabine Parish, La., where he was born on December
28, 1862.  The parents, John G. and Sarah A. (Dendy) Buvens, were born in
Belgium in 1829, and Alabama in 1832, respectively.  John G. Buvens
accompanied his father, Peter, to America when he was about twelve years of
age and located with him at Many, La., being among the first settlers of that
place.  There both the grandfather and father spent the remainder of their
days, the latter dying at the age of fifty two years.  By occupation the
father was a farmer.  He was an upright, worthy man, and one who led a life of
industry.  He acquired considerable means, most of which he lost, however, by
the burning of his house shortly before his death, which occurred in 1871.
His wife, Sarah A Dendy, to whom he was married in about 1853, survived him
about five years, dying in 1876.

Monroe F. Buvens was the eighth in a family of ten children, of whom four sons
and three daughters are now living.  He spent his early education there, and
when eighteen years of age he entered the employ of his brother in law, John
Blake, a native of Ireland, who came to America when fourteen years of age,
and  who became a prominent merchant of Many.

Our subject clerked for Mr. Blake from May 1, 1880, until February, 1885, and
then the latter established a branch store at Robeline, La., of which Mr.
Buvens became manager.  In August, 1885, Mr. Blake died, after which Mr.
Buvens assumed the management of Blake's store at Many, the business being
conducted under the name of Mrs. John Blake.    In January, 1886, Mr. Buvens
consolidated the two stores at Robeline, and of the one thus formed he
continued as manager until January 1, 1189, at which time he associated
himself with his sister, Mrs. Blake.  They have since owned the business
jointly, the firm name being M. F. Buvens & Co.

Mr. Buvens is pleasant and agreeable in his intercourse with the public, and
throughout his business career in Robeline he has not only acquired a large
patronage but also a circle of warm friends.  The business of this firm
occupies a good two story building, 40X66 feet, both floors of which are well
stocked with all kinds of general merchandise.  Under the able management of
Mr. Buvens the establishment has enjoyed a very prosperous career, and is now
one of the leading stores of Robeline.

Mr. Buvens was married on June 26, 1884, to Miss Ella F. Hogue, eldest
daughter of A. H. Hogue, of Many, La.  Their marriage has resulted in the
birth of three children: Robert Elmer, James Monroe and Annie Kathleen, all
living.  Mr. and Mrs. Buvens are consistent members of the Catholic Church,
and as such are highly esteemed.

Mr. Buvens is a Democrat in politics, and in 1883, or when twenty one years of
age, he was appointed by the governor returning office for Sabine Parish,
serving in that responsible position for about two years, or until his removal
to Robeline, necessitated his resignation.  In January, 1888, he was elected a
member of the city council of Robeline, and in January of the following two
years he was re elected.  He is therefore now serving his third term.  He is
secretary of the recently organized Robeline Public and Private Academy, and
is also secretary of the Anti Lottery League of Robeline.  Mr. Buvens is a
young man of good habits, and he possesses every qualification necessary for a
successful business man.