Joseph T Labit, 1846-1913; Vermilion Parish Obits, Louisiana
Submitted by Kathy LaCombe-Tell
Submitted by Kathy LaCombe-Tell
Source: Meridional
Submitted August 2004

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source: Meridional 11-8-1913
Labit, Joseph T., born 10-21-1846, died 11-3-1913

Joseph T. Labit, postmaster at this place, and one of the oldest 
residents of the town, died at 7 o'clock Monday evening, after a brief 
illness, at the home of his son-in-law, Albert Stauffer, at the age of 
67 years and 13 days. Mr. Labit was born in Terrebone [sic] parish on 
Oct. 21, 1846. During the civil war he enlisted in the confederate 
service in the 26th Louisiana Infantry, and was a gallant soldier being 
severely wounded at Port Hudson. Shortly after the close of hostilities 
he came to Vermilion Parish, where for a time he engaged in farming. In 
1869 he entered the office of Clarke H. Remick, who had been appointed 
tax collector for the parish under the reconstruction constitution of 
1868. He remained his chief deputy during his term of office. In 1873 
during Grant's second term Mr. Labit was appointed postmaster at 
Abbeville, then the only post office in the parish. He held the 
position continuously until 1886, during Cleveland's first 
administration, when he was succeeded by Ophelias Bourque, whom he 
supplanted in 1890, upon the return to power of the Republican party 
under the leadership of Benjamin H. Harrison. With the election of 
Grover Cleveland in 1892, he was replaced by the late Jos. J. Abadie.

In 1897 under the McKinley administration he was again reappointed and 
has remained continuously in office ever since, his present commission 
expiring only in April, 1915. He was thus in point of service, one of 
the oldest postmasters in the state. He was very prominent in Masonic 
circles; having been a charter member of Abbeville lodge No. 169, 
served as master of the lodge for many years, and a faithful attendant 
upon the meetings of the grand Lodge. He enjoyed the honor of 
"raising" as many novitiates in masonry as falls to the lot of any 
official in the order, and was unusually well posted on its ceremonial 
work. On Oct. 12, 1870, he was married to Miss Lizzie Lyons, and of 
this union were born five sons: Frank C., postmaster Crowley, La., 
Henry D. (deceased), J. Howard, Houston, Tex., Willie, Abilene, Texas, 
Chester A., Abbeville, and three daughters, Mrs. D. L. McPherson, Mrs. 
Albert Stauffer, Mrs. M. V. Williams, these together with his three 
brothers, Henry, John D., and Frank; survive. The funeral took place 
Tuesday afternoon, the ceremonies being conducted by the Masonic 
fraternity and many visiting craftsmen; interment being made in the new 
Masonic cemetery.


NOTE: www.findagrave.com memorial # 11202164