Menetre Family Ubiqitous In The History Of Covington Times Picayune May 17, 1990 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ At the end of 11th Avenue in Covington, the street veers right and travels some 1 1/2 miles until it intersects with 21st Avenue. This roadway is known as Menetre Drive. In January 1868, a son, Henry George, was born to Johanna Louise Norman and Emile George Menetre of New Orleans. As a young man, George was a gifted musician, playing first violin at the old French Opera House in the Vieux Carre. In the late 1800s, Menetre purchased 240 acres on Honeysuckle Road, now Louisiana 1083 (or Ben Williams Road), where he farmed, operated a sawmill and raised cattle and sheep. It was through his sawmill that Menetre met John And Max Edgar of Edgar Bros. Building Contractors who introduced him to their sister Sophie. She was the daughter of Robert Laidlaw Edgar and Margaret Orr, who both immigrated from Scotland in 1860. Menetre and Sophie were married June 1, 1892, in the Covington Presbyterian Church by the Rev. Charles Hyland. Witnesses to the ceremony were the bride's elder sisters, Mamie Burns and Robenia Burns. From this union, four children were born: Ralph Norman in 1894, George Edgar in 1896, Grace in 1898 and Emile Laidlaw in 1900. Mrs. Menetre missed her family. She felt isolated on the couple's farm and persuaded her husband to move into Covington in the early days of 1900. He established the H.G. Menetre Grocery in the old Sieler Hotel building on the corner of Columbia and Lockwood streets, which now houses an appliance rental business. Later the store was moved across the street to a brick building owned by Menetre's nephews, Jack and Steel Burns, and his niece, Lady Burns Schoen. The building now houses Schoen Real Estate, Morgan Printing and several other enterprises. Menetre died in his home Feb. 27, 1944, and Sophie died March 22, 1947. The couple's oldest child, Ralph Norman Menetre, married Lucy Texada Nov. 18, 1920. She was born and reared at her family home, China Grove Plantation, near Boyce, La. Ralph was an early director of public welfare in St. Tammany, but is best remembered as Covington's postmaster from 1923 to 1938 and again from 1945 to 1967. During their marriage, two children were born: Margaret Louise on Dec. 10, 1921, and Ralph Jr. on May 28, 1928. Ralph Sr. died April 18, 1975, and is buried in the mausoleum of the Garden of the Pines Cemetery. Lucy died Christmas Day, 1988, age of 91. Margaret married James McLachlin Jr. June 1, 1941. He was the son of Catherine Thompson and James McLachlin, Sr. Jimmy was an avid golfer and sportsman and won many tournaments at the Covington Country Club. Jimmy died April 12, 1986. From this marriage five children were born, Meg, Lucy, Laurie Caserta, James III "Jimbo" and Andrew. Ralph Jr. married Winnefred Heintz , the daughter of Fred and Porter Burbank Heintz , on August. 3, 1949. Ralph and Winnie are active in all phases of the Christ Episcopal Church, where both have been vestry members. Ralph retired after more than 30 years in the parish school system. He was assistant superintendent when he retired. He is an active volunteer with Hospice of St. Tammany. Ralph and Winnie have three children - Ralph III "Sandy", Melinda and Lisa Texada. The second child of Menetre and Sophie was George Edgar, who married Idell Smith of Poplarville, Miss., where he was a successful banker. They were the parents of George Jr. and Shirley Hill of Mobile, Ala. Grace, the only daughter, never married. She was a registered nurse for many years and at the time of her death, in 1941, was the director of nursing at Southern Baptist Hospital in New Orleans. The youngest child of the Menetres was born in 1900, and named Emile Laidlaw, but known to all as "Yub." On August 25, 1929, he married Lela Orange, daughter of Battie Orange and Annie Doores. The couple had three children. Yub's entire adult life centered around Covington politics. He was a councilman for 10 years and was elected mayor in 1945. The most satisfying part of his career came in 1963, when as mayor he presided over Covington's 150th birthday. Yub died April 19, 1965, after having served the community for more than 30 years. Lela, who makes her home in Baton Rouge, was an English teacher at Covington High for many years. It's difficult to look around our town and not see some activity that this family has not been associated with. From politics to banking and education, the Menetre family have made a lasting imprint on the city of Covington. On May 10, Covington lost one of its most celebrated citizens: Walker Percy, a particular inspiration to me with this column. I salute his memory today.