Biography of 	SARPY, Leon, Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by 	Mike Miller April 1998

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Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions,
and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), p. 391.  Edited by
Alcée Fortier, Lit.D.  Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.

Sarpy, Leon, was born in New Orleans, La., Feb. 22, 1838, and died in this
city, Dec. 18, 1888.  He was a son of Pierre Lestang and Pauline (Fortier)
Sarpy.  He was reared in New Orleans and given a fair education.  When the
Civil war came on, Mr. Sarpy, then a young man, volunteered his services to
the Confederacy.  He became a member of the famous cavalry, commanded by
Col. Charles D. Dreux, and later served under Gens. Braxton Bragg,
Johnston, Beauregard and Hood.  He participated with gallantry in the
battle of Shiloh, Missionary Ridge, Chickamauga, Murfreesboro, the
Daton-to-Atlanta campaign and in General Bragg's campaign into Kentucky,
and was paroled at Meridian, Miss., at the close of the war.  Leon Sarpy
became a planter in 1866 and planting was his life pursuit.  He became a
very successful planter, and for years ranked among the largest sugar
growers of the state.  He was the owner of 3 noted plantations, The
"Prospect," "Goodhope," and "Crevasse," all three being in St. Charles
parish.  His country residence was a beautiful homestead.  The greater part
of his life was lived on the plantation.  He was a thorough-going business
man, and progressive planter.  His success in life was due to his
disposition to do well whatever he undertook.  His prosperity was due to
his energy together with his keen business foresight.  He bore the
reputation of being fair and just in his business transactions, and was
highly esteemed for his regard for honesty.  He was engrossed in his
business as a planter, but not to that extent of neglecting his duty to his
family or fellowman.  Mr. Sarpy was twice married.  His first wife bore the
maiden name of Felicié La Branche, and she bore him 2 daughters and 1 son.
His second wife, who survives him, was Miss Anna Larue, the daughter of
Felix Larue, who was a native of France and was a prominent cotton factor
of New Orleans.  His second wife was born in New Orleans and by her he
became the father of 2 sons and 1 daughter.  Mr. Sarpy was a member of the
Catholic church, and in politics a democrat.  He never sought political
preferment, desiring to devote his time to his plantation interests.  In
manner he was unassuming, kind and just.  He was endeared in his home life
and there found his greatest delight and comfort.  Henry Leon Sarpy, son of
Leon and Anna (Larue) Sarpy, was born in New Orleans, Aug. 12, 1880; was
reared for the greater part in New Orleans, and in 1900 received his degree
of bachelor of arts from Spring Hill college, and then studied law, Charles
T. Soniat becoming his preceptor and close friend, with whom he was
associated, professionally, from the date of his admission to the bar until
Oct., 1910.  Mr. Sarpy studied law at Tulane university for 2 years, and
then was admitted to practice by the supreme court, June 28, 1905.  In
Sept., 1910, he was commissioned a notary public, and becoming the official
notary for the Whitney-Central National bank, he established himself in an
office in the Whitney-Central building.  Mr. Sarpy is a trustee of the
Southwestern industrial institute, to which position he was appointed by
Gov. Hall. Dec. 5, 1906, he married Miss Annita Louise Staigg, daughter of
Mr. Robert Staigg, of New Orleans.  Mr. and Mrs. Sarpy have 2 sons, namely
Leon and  Robert H.