Prof. Henry L. Bourgeois, Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Jan Craven

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Source: History of Louisiana by Henry Chambers. Vol 3, p 58.
Prof. Henry L. Bourgeois, superintendent of the public schools of Terrebonne
Parish, is one of the able educators of this part of Louisiana, and one of
the most representative of the citizens of Houma.  He was born in St. James
Parish, Louisiana, July 29, 1887, a son of Louis S. and Lucie (Lambremont)
Bourgeois.

Professor Bourgeois was graduated from Jefferson College, Convent, Louisiana,
in 1906, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts.  For the succeeding three years,
1906 to 1909, he was engaged in teaching at Thibodaux College, following which
for three years he was principal of the Bellerose High School in Assumption
Parish.  His next charge was at the high school of Romeville, Louisiana, wehre
for two years he was principal, and he was then appointed superintende
nt of
schools of Terrebonne Parish to fill our an unexpired term in 1914.  So
satisfactorily did he discharge his duties that he was re-appointed in 1917,
in 1921, and agian in 1925.  Under his supervision, are twenty-two white and
fourteen colored schools; 3,500 white and 1,200 colored pupils; ninety-eight
white and fifteen colored teachers.  An educator by inclination and careful
training, Professor  Bourgeois possesses in marked degree the ability to not
only impart knowledge, but also awaken the desire for additional knowledge,
without which faculty a teacher's work is purely mechanical.  He also has a 
stimulating effect upon his associates, and secures from the admirable 
cooperation in his plans.   Since he assumed charge of the schools of this
parish there has been a most remarkable advance in attendance and scholarship,
and he has been able to secure some admirable improvements in the school
buildings, and to inaugurate advanced methods of teaching.  The people of
Terrebonne Parish recognize the fact that their children are under the
supervision of a very able man, and that they, themselves, are under an
obligation to him for the interest he constantly displays in his work.

Politically, Professor Bourgeois is a democrat.   He belongs to Saint
Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church of Houma, and to Houma Council No.
1
317, Knights of Columbus.  The Louisiana State Teachers' Association and
the Houma Rotary Club hold his membership, and he is president of the 
latter.

On June 6, 1911, Professor Bourgeois married at Thibodaux, Louisiana, 
Miss Gerturde A. Legendre, a daughter of Philip F. and Carmelite (Rossignol)
Legendre, residents of Thibodaux.  Mrs. Bourgeois was graduated from
Mount Carmel convent, Thibodaux.   Mr. and Mrs. Bourgeois have had the
following children:  Gertrude, who is a student of the seventh grade in the
Houma Public Schools; Warren, who is a student of the fifth grade in the same 
schools; Donald who died in 1920 and Marion who is the youngest.