P. F. Bourgeois, St. James Parish, Louisiana Submitted by Mike Miller ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ P. F. Bourgeois St. James Parish, Louisiana P. F. Bourgeois. Of that sturdy and independent class, the planters of Louisiana, none are possessed of more genuine merit and a stronger character than he whose name stands at the head of this sketch. He was born in St. James parish, La., January 17, 1832, the second of ten children born to C. and Raimond (Phillips) Bourgeois, the former's father having been one of the original Acadian exiles. He was one of four men who settled in the then wilds of Louisiana, and in order to obtain a living was engaged in making pickets, P. F. Bourgeois removed to Pointe Coupee parish in 1852, settling near New Texas, and as he had no capital, he engaged in the wood business, a calling he followed until the opening of the war, doing well financially. In 1861 he entered the commissary department of Miles' legion for nine months, during which time he remained in and about Port Hudson. After the war he engaged in buying and selling cattle, but at the end of two years be re-engaged in the wood business, and although he had some reverses he also made some money. In 1873 he purchased a stock of general merchandise on a debt which was owing him, and to this business, as well as to planting and trading, he has since devoted his attention. He has also done an extensive business in buying and selling moss, which he shipped to St. Louis and other points, which enterprise paid well. His store has always been largely patronized, and has always yielded him a good annual income, for from a stock of goods worth about $3,000 he does a business of $20,000 yearly. He owns an interest in three large plantations, these plantations aggregating 2,540 acres, of which 1,500 are under cultivation, devoted to the raising of cotton, corn and sugar cane. In 1890 he made 250 hogsheads of sugar, two sugar mills being in constant operation. He also has a steam cotton gin, making from 200 to 400 bales of cotton yearly. He does a large furnishing business and handles more cotton than the producers. He was at one time a member of the police jury of Pointe Coupee parish, and has been an active and useful citizen of this section ever since locating here. He possesses the courteous and polished manners for which the French are famous, is of a very sociable nature, and is kind hearted, generous and hospitable. He is of dark complexion, is over six feet tall and weighs 225 pounds. He was married, October 4, 1853, to Miss Victoria Bouis, a native of this parish, by whom he has had eleven children, nine of whom are living: Mrs. Helena Burquoi, Mrs. Gertrude Stonaka, Mrs. Josephine Boud, Mrs. Regina Fisher, Laura, Agnes L., Jane, Roger and Vincent. The family are members of the Catholic church. From Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, volume 2, p. 311. Submitted by Mike Miller NOTE: There was one error in the article on P.F.Bourgeois. It stated that his parents were C. and Raimond (Phillips) Bourgeois. His parents were Celestin Bourgeois and Gertrude Coussat. Thanks Frank Deffes 2/14/98