St Landry County Louisiana Archives Obituaries.....Desmarais, Sr., Louis May 25, 1900
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Mary K Creamr marykcreamer@yahoo.com February 21, 2015, 9:36 pm

St. Landry Clarion (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, June 02, 1900, Image 5

Louis Desmarais, Sr., died at his residence in Opelousas, on Friday morning, 
May 25. Mr. Desmarais' career, which is an interesting one, is given in the 
following account by the Time-Democrat correspondent at this place:

Deceased was a native of Montreal, Canada, and came to Opelousas in 1867, 
since which time he has been a prominent and respected citizen. He always 
took an active part in all public affairs, and in politics was at all times 
a stanch Republican and held many offices of trust. In 1870 he began his 
political career, holding the office of justice-of-the-peace for this (the 
first) ward until 1874, when he became deputy tax collector for this parish. 
In 1876 he was elected a member of the State Legislature. He was appointed 
postmaster at this place three times under the administration of Presidents 
Grant and Hayes and under the present administration. Mr. Desmarais moved to 
New Orleans, having secured the position of cashier in the Custom House and 
later was made special deputy collector of the port upon the appointment of 
Special Deputy Collector Earhart to be district attorney. When Wilkinson 
succeeded Warmoth as collector he moved back to Opelousas, engaging for the 
second time in the mercantile business.

He held the chairmanship of the Republican State Central Committee from this 
(the Sixth) district for a number of years, and before the new Constitution 
was adopted he was a factor in town and parochial political fights, having 
control over the colored voters.

Mr. Desmarais was twice married. In 1868 he married Natholie Sittig, who 
died Oct. 20, 1884, leaving one son, Louis Desmarais Jr. In 1888 he married 
Octavie Prevost, who died in June, 1899, leaving three small children, Alta, 
Rita, and John.

He was a member in good standing of the following fraternities in this town: 
St. Landry Lodge No. 4, A. O. U. W.; Opelousas Council No. 468, A. L. of H.; 
Hope Hook and Ladder Company.

Additional Comments:
NOTE: Louis Desmarais, Sr. is buried in the Saint Landry Catholic Church 
cemetery located in Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana.

www.findagrave.com memorial # 142907938

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/stlandry/obits/d/desmarai5584gob.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/lafiles/

File size: 2.8 Kb