VEGAS, John, Assumption then St. James Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller

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John Vegas, planter, St. James, La.  Richbend sugar plantation, situated two
miles below Convent on the right bank of the Mississippi river, is one of the
finest in St. James parish.  Mr. Vegas, the owner of this valuable property,
was born in Assumption parish, La., in 1845, and is the son of Paul Vegas, who
was also a native of Assumption parish, where he passed his entire life. He
was a planter.  His father, John Vegas, was born in Spain and came to America
prior to the War of 1812.  He participated in that war and was in the battle
of New Orleans.  He was also a planter and located in Assumption parish, La. 
The mother of our subject, Marcella (Aucosta) Vegas, was a native of
Assumption parish.  Her father, Raymond Aucosta, was born in Spain and after
coming to the United States took part in the New Orleans battle.  John Vegas
Jr., the second in order of birth of eleven children, remained with his
parents until the Civil war.  After cessation of hostilities he became an
overseer, continued this for some time and then in 1870 located about six
miles below Donaldsonville, where he engaged in general merchandising.  In
1881 he purchased Richbend plantation, which he has ever since been increasing
and improving.  He is one of the most successful planters of the state, and is
a member of the Sugar Planters' association of Donaldsonville.  He opened a
store of general merchandise on his plantation, and has made it one of the
finest in St. James parish.  He was a member of the police jury, Ward 6,
during McEnery's administration.  Miss Percival Fevrelle, who became his wife
in 1868, died five years later leaving no issue.  She was a native of England. 
In 1876 he married Miss Elizabeth Agatha Karstien, of New Orleans, third
daughter of the late Benjamin F. Kareken, of New York, who married Miss Eliza
Raymond, of Philadelphia, who yet survives him.  Mr. Vegas and family are
members of the Catholic church.

Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, (vol. 2), p. 432. 
Published by the Goodspeed Publishing Company, Chicago, 1892.