Judge E. D. Estilette, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller


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The reader will naturally expect to see in this work some reference to Judge K D. Estilette, of
Opelousas.  Judge Estilette was born in St. Landry parish, December 19, 1833.  At an early age
he entered St. Charles college, at Grand Coteau, where he remained six years.  He then, at the
age of eighteen years, after going through the preparatory department, entered Yale college,
taking a thorough classical course, and, in 1857, graduated with the title of A. B.  He married
in New Haven, Conn., Miss Fannie T. Bacon, of that place.  He then returned with his wife to
his native parish, and engaged in school teaching, at the same time studying law.  In 1880
Judge Estilette was admitted to the bar.  For a while after returning from college he edited a
paper known as the "Opelousas Patriot," an independent organ, but favoring what was known as
the co-operated party.  This paper was destroyed by the first invasion of the federals in the
spring of 1863.  He then turned his entire attention to the practice of his profession, until
his appointment, in 1865, as district attorney of the Eighth Judicial district, composed of the
parishes of St. Landry, Calcasieu, Lafayette and Vermilion.  He succeeded himself in office,
holding the same position until 1888.  In 1872 he was elected a member of the legislature from
St. Landry, and re-elected in 1874.  At this time Judge Estilette took a prominent part in what
was known as the Wheeler compromise, and, on its adoption, was elected speaker of the house,
which responsible position he held until the expiration of his term of office.  He then resumed
the practice of law and, in 1887, was appointed judge of the Thirteenth Judicial district,
composed of the parishes of St. Landry and Acadia.  In 1888 he resumed his practice, which he
has closely followed since that time.  During the period of his lengthy practice, Judge
Estilette has been associated with the following legal lights: Late Judge John E. King, late
Judge A. Bailey, and since the year 1880 with his son-in-law, Gilbert L. Dupre', a promising
lawyer and at present member of the legislature from St. Landry parish.

Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, (vol. 2), p. 481.  Published by the
Goodspeed Publishing Company, Chicago, 1892.