BROUSSARD, John D., St. Martin then Iberia Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller
Source: Southwest Louisiana Biographical and Historical, Biographical
Section
Date: 21 Oct 1998



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JOHN DORVILLE BROUSSARD, LOREAUVILLE.-- John D. Broussard was born in St.
Martin parish in 1832.  He is the son of Don Louis and Adelaide Broussard,
both natives of St. Martin parish.  The former is the son of Don Louis
Broussard and Cleonise Broussard, born 1812.  Adelaide Broussard was the
daughter of Sylvester Broussard, born 1812.  The families are among the oldest
in Louisiana.

John Dorville Broussard received his education in the home schools of his
native parish, and at the age of eighteen he took charge of his father's
plantation which he conducted until 1850.  In 1851 he became captain of a
steamboat plying between St. Martinsville and Breaux Bridge.  In 1852 he
married Anastasie Gonsoulin, daughter of Luzincourt Gonsoulin and Cydalise
Bonin.  His mother died seven years previous to this time.  After the death of
his father Mr. Broussard became the heir to his plantation, where he now
resides, known as the Marie Louise plantation, which has descended from father
to son for more than a hundred years. It consists of five hundred and twenty
acres of land, four hundred of which are under cultivation, the principal
products being cane and corn.  In 1874 Mr. Broussard erected on his plantation
a large sugar house, which he has since operated.  From 1856 until 1865 Mr.
Broussard was assessor of St. Martin parish; two years succeeding this he was
recorder.  For the past ten years he has been a member of the Police Jury,
having been appointed, in 1880, by Gov. Wiltz.  Mr. and Mrs. Broussard are the
parents of six children, four sons and two daughters, viz.:  Louis Dorville,
manager of the plantation;  Robert F., attorney at law, in New Iberia;  Albert
J., book-keeper, at the Avery Salt Mines;  Marie Blanche,  Marie Louise, 
Edwin Sydney, cadet at the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and
Mechanical College.

In 1862 Gov. Moore commissioned Mr. Broussard Captain of Co. B, St. Martins
Regiment, Sixth Brigade, Confederate Army.  In 1880 Gov. Wiltz appointed him
Colonel of the "Special Militia Force," L. S. N. G., Fourth Military District.

Southwest Louisiana Biographical and Historical, Biographical Section,
p. 93.  Edited by William Henry Perrin.  Published in 1891, by The Gulf
Publishing Company.