Estopinal, Rene L.; St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana
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Estopinal, Rene L., a prosperous planter, and president of the police Jury of
St. Bernard parish, was born this parish, March 1, 1866, a son of Albert and
Eliska (Legier) Epistonal.  The mother was born in New Orleans, while the
father, Albert Estopinal, was born in St Bernard parish, Jan. 30, 1845.  He
received his education in the public schools of New Orleans and from private
tutors.  In Jan., 1862, he enlisted in the Confederate army, as a member of 
the 28th Louisiana infantry, under Col. Thomas.  After the siege of Vicksburg
he became attached to the 22d Louisiana regiment, commanded by Col. S. W.
Patton, and remained with this command throughout the war, proving himself a
brave and gallant soldier.  The command surrendered to Gen. Canby at Meridian,
Miss., in March, 1865.  In Feb., 1868, he was married to Miss Eliska Legier,
of New Orleans.  Four years later he was elected sheriff of St. Bernard parish
and was reelected in 1874.  In 1876-78 he represented his district in the
Louisiana state legislature, and in 1879 served as a member of the
Constitutional convention.  He was a member of the Louisiana state senate from
1880 to 1900, and during this time served also as a member of the
Constitutional convention of 1896.  In 1900 Mr. Estopinal was elected
lieutenant-governor of Louisiana, in which capacity he served for 4 years, and
following this was elected a member of the 61st Congress, to fill an unexpired
term.  He was reelected to the 62d Congress, receiving 11,932 votes, while his
opponent only got 1,408.  Rene L. Estopinal was the fifth of 10 children born
to his parents.  His academic education was finished at Holy Cross college,
New Orleans, following which he entered the New Orleans College of Dentistry,
from which he graduated with signal honors in the class of 1908.  Shortly
following the completion of his professional education he began the practice
of dentistry at New Orleans, but after 2 years retired from the profession and
took up the vocation of a farmer in St. Bernard parish, to which occupation he
has since given his entire attention.  At this time he occupies the office of
president of the parish police jury. He is a member of the Roman Catholic
church, and is affiliated fraternally with the New Orleans council No. 714,
Knights of Columbus, the Alumni society of the New Orleans College of
Dentistry, and the Xi Phi Psi fraternity.  June 21, 1911, Mr. Estopinal led to
the altar Emma, a daughter of Honore and Alphoniene (Dumonville) Dugas, of
Assumption parish, in which locality both parents were born, the father, Feb.
21, 1844.  He was a son of E. F. H. and Armellia (Landry) Dugas, both of
Assumption parish.  E. F. H. Dugas was a Louisiana sugar planter.  His family
came originally from France, but both the grandfather and great-grandfather
were born in Louisiana.  John Batist Dugas, father of E. F. H., attended
private schools in Assumption parish and later finished his academic education
at Bardstown college (Kentucky).  He then returned to Assumption parish and
became occupied with teaching a private school, but after only 6 months in
this useful occupation his peaceful labors were interrupted by the beginning
of the great struggle between the states.  He immediately enlisted in the
Confederate army and was made a sergeant of Company H. 28th Louisiana
infantry, under command of Col. Allen Thomas.  His command afterwards
participated in many of the important engagements of the war, including the
memorable siege of Vicksburg.  After the surrender he returned to Assumption
parish, but instead of resuming his pedagogical work, devoted his energies to
the occupation of a planter, as this at the time appeared the greater need of
the people.  Since that time he has continued to devote his attention to
planting, and now operates a plantation embracing more than 10,000 acres, half
of which is under cultivation.  In 1881 the Dugas & LeBlanc Co. was formed,
with Honore Dugas, president; Felix Dugas, vice-president, and N. J. E.
LeBlanc, secretary and treasurer. This company operates a large general
merchandise business.  Mr. Dugas is also president of the police jury and a
member of the Atchafalaya Levee board.  He has served his district as a member
of the state legislature, having been elected in 1896.  In church faith he is
a member of the Roman Catholic church. Jan. 6, 1866, Mr. Dugas was united in
marriage to Alphoniene, a daughter of Villiar and Constant (Vella) Dumonville,
of Assumption parish, where both parents were born.  Mr. Dumonville followed
the vocation of a planter.  Both he and his wife are now deceased.  To this
union 7 children were born, namely:  Edgar, now residing at home;  Lillia, now
wife of Capt. Alphege Charlet and mother of 5 children;  Bertha, at the
parental home;  Alphonsiene, at home;  Armelise Louis, wife of Mr. Daigle, and
mother of 2 children;  Emma, now Mrs. Rene Estopinal; and  Helene, at home. 
One child,  Selia by name, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rene L. Estopinal.

Source:  Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events,
Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp.
154-155.  Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D.  Published in 1914, by Century
Historical Association.