Biography of 	Ducournau, J. A. Orleans Parish, Louisiana                                                                                              J. A. DUCOURNAU Biography, Orleans Parish Louisiana
Submitted by	Gaytha Carver Thompson February 1998

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Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville,  1890


J. A. DUCOURNAU

J. A. Ducournau, the oldest merchant now residing in Natchitoches, was
originally from France, his birth occurring on December 24, 1815, and he
is the son of John b. and Mary (Rival) Ducournau, both natives of France.
The father was born in 1785 and died in his native country in 1853, and 
the mother was born in 1793, and also died in France in 1823.  From 1828 
to 1845 the father was a resident of Louisiana, residing in the Cresent 
City and at Natchitoches.  He was a well educated man and a true French 
gentleman.  J. A. Ducournau is the only living representative of his 
father's children.  He was educated in France, and in 1834 emigrated 
to the United States, where he was for some time a resident of New 
Orleans.  In 1839 he came to Natchitoches and the same year engaged 
in merchandising at the corner of Front and Church Streets, where he 
continued until the conflagration of 1881, when he was burned out.  
He then purchased his present business house on Front Street, and
has since continued in business in this place, a period of over fifty 
years, with the exception of only a short time during the war.  He has 
experienced all the troubles and business depressions of more than half 
a century, but has always been able to pay 100 cents on the dollar, 
which fact proves him to be one of the best and most careful business 
men in the South. He was united in marriage in 1849 to Miss Appoline 
Castenado, a native of New Orleans, and the result of this union was 
two children: Estelle (who wasmarried to A. J. Plauche), and J. A. D., 
Jr.  The last named was born in Natchitoches, and educated at Spring 
Hill College, Alabama, and in 1881 becamea member of the firm of J. A. 
Ducournau & Son.  He was married in 1883 to Miss Lelia Sompayrac, a 
native of this parish.  They have two children: Lucile and Louis.  
Mr. Ducournau, Jr., is a Democrat in politics, a member of the city
council, and socially is a member of the American Legion of Honor.
Our subject is also a Democrat without question was among the first 
who endeavored to secure a railroad to Natchitoches, being treasurer 
of the Natchitoches Railroad Construction Company, and is now treasurer 
of the State Normal School located here.  He is a gentleman retiring 
in his disposition, and one who spurns notoriety.  He is honest to a 
cent, and his word is as good as his bond.