GRAUGNARD, Leon, Basses Alpes, FR., then St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana
Submitted for the LA GenWeb Archives by Mike Miller, Nov 1998


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Graugnard, Leon, who resides near the village of Lions, in St. John parish,
was born at Basses Alpes, France, Feb. 1, 1855, and is a son of Joseph and
Angelique (Caire) Graugnard, both of whom were born and passed their lives
in the vicinity of the son's birthplace, where the father devoted his
energies to the occupation of a farmer throughout life.  Both parents are
now deceased.  Seven children were born to their union, namely:  Augustin,
Adolph,   Damien, deceased;  Joachim,  Casimir,  Leon, and  Marie.  All of
those living, except Leon, are in France.  Casimir died in Louisiana.  Leon
Graugnard was educated at public schools in the land of his nativity.  At
the age of 16 years he came to America with his brother, Casimir, and
located in St. James parish, where he became a traveling salesman for John
Teche, in general merchandise business.  After 5 years in this connection,
he formed a partnership with a Mr. Maurin, under the firm name of Maurin &
Graugnard, and established a general merchandise business in St. John
parish, which was continued uninterruptedly until 1880, when the business
was moved to a new location in the same parish and much enlarged and
improved.  In 1892 Mr. Graugnard disposed of his interest in this store, to
his partner, and established the noted "Four-Seasons Store," also in St.
John parish, where he did a largely prosperous business.  In 1895 he bought
Glencoe plantation, upon which he grew sugar cane until 1902, when he
disposed of the plantation to the Lyons Cypress Lumber Company and moved to
the city of New Orleans, becoming interested in the Clerc Wholesale Grocer
Co., limited, as a large stockholder and secretary of the company.  Two
years later he sold his holdings in this enterprise and returned to St.
John parish, where, in association with F. Reynaud, under the firm name of
Graugnard & Reynaud, he purchased Terre Haute plantation, consisting of
2,000 acres, which has since been cultivated in sugar cane.  The firm also
conducts a large general merchandise business and owns a sugar mill of 500
tons capacity on Terre Haute plantation.  In 1910 Lillie plantation, of 600
acres, in St. James parish, was added to the firm's properties, and in
addition to cane they are now producing large quantities of corn.
Politically, Mr. Graugnard styles himself an independent republican, but he
has avoided political entanglements and only takes such part in politics as
the obligations of good citizenship require--that is, aiding in the
selection of the best available men to fill the offices and administer the
laws under which the people live.  He is a member of the Catholic church.
In 1881 Leon Graugnard was married to Miss Eva Baccas, of St. John parish,
both of whose parents are now deceased.  Five children have been born to
Mr. and Mrs. Graugnard, as follow:  Albert, the 1st born, died at the age
of 7 months;  Berthe, died at the age of 2 years;  Emile, who was educated
at Jefferson college and later attended Soul  college, New Orleans, taking
the complete commercial course, is now bookkeeper and general assistant to
his father in the management of the business; Fernand, who was a graduate
of Jefferson college, died at the age of 19 years while filling the
position of storekeeper for his father; Eva was educated at St. Joseph's
academy, New Orleans, and is now at the parental home.  Mr. Graugnard is
one of the most successful sugar planters of southwest Louisiana.  He has
accumulated his fortune entirely through his own efforts, and is now
enjoying the fruits of well-directed and intelligent industry, and the
confidence and esteem of the people among whom he has labored since early
manhood.  Recently he enjoyed a well-earned vacation in making an extended
tour of Europe.

Source:  Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events,
Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form, volume 3, pp.
722-723.  Edited by Alc e Fortier, Lit. D.  Published in 1914, by Century
Historical Association.

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