Prosper Ganier, St. James Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller


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Prosper Ganier is the successful manager of Welcome plantation, in the
conduct of which he has shown much practical wisdom.  He was born on the
place May 11, 1835, to Francois Ganier, a native of France, who came to the
United States in 1819, when about twenty-five years of age, and took up his
residence in St. James parish, La.  In 1859 he returned to the land of his
birth, and there died in 1860 or 1881.  Upon coming to this country he
first followed the calling of a merchant, but later purchased Welcome
plantation, which was at that time very small, but was an excellent man of
business, and every few years would make additions, and his son now
controls 540 acres of as fine land for the culture of sugar cane as there
is in the parish.  Before coming to the United States Francois Ganier
served in Napoleon's army, with whom he remained until the disastrous
battle of Waterloo, when he left home and kindred to seek his fortune in
the new world.  He was married in Louisiana to Heloise Le Boeuf, of this
parish, who died here in 1847, after having borne her husband seven
children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second.  Two daughters
reside in France, a son is a cotton planter at Milliken's Bend, in Madison
parish, another son resides on Pike's Peak plantation, and the oldest and
youngest of the family are deceased.  Prosper Ganier was sent to France in
July, 1846, in which country his school days were spent.  He remained in
college six years, and in 1852, upon his return to the United States, he
took a course in mathematics in an institution at Bedford Springs, Penn.,
and there also thoroughly learned the English language.  Upon his return to
Louisiana he at once took charge of Welcome plantation, and has since
devoted his attention to the manufacture of sugar, of which he has a
thorough and practical knowledge.  This place is twelve miles below
Donaldsonville, and although it has been under cultivation many years, it
is still exceedingly fertile, and is carefully looked after by its owner.
Amelia Le Boeuf became bin wife April 30, 1861, and has borne him four
sons, three of whom are living:  George Prosper and  Alceé, all of whom
assist their father on the home plantation.  One son,  Elie, died when
quite young.  The family worship in the Catholic church; but in his
religious, as well as political views, Mr. Ganier is very liberal.  He is a
useful citizen, and a man whom to know is to respect.
 
Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, (vol. 1), pp. 429-430.
Published by the Goodspeed Publishing Company, Chicago, 1892.