D'Aquin, John J., M. D.

Submitted by Mike Miller

D'Aquin, John Joseph, M. D., of New Orleans, La., was born at New Orleans, Oct. 23, 1872, the son of Jules J. d'Aquin, a native of Jamaica, and Marie Guex d'Aquin, born in New Orleans, died in 1884. The d'Aquin family is of noble origin. Its genealogy has been traced back to the Princes of Capua, and the Counts d'Aquin, who were powerful feudal lords of Italy. After the capture by Emperor Conrad, of a city ruled by the d'Aquins, and the dwindling of the population to only 35 families, the counts and several of their retainers removed to France. Their descendants were distinguished in the profession of arms, in public offices, and in the science of medicine. Paul Louis Henri Charles d'Aquin was chosen by Queen Marie de Medicis to be her attending physician; Antoine d'Aquin was physician-in- chief to King Louis XIV, and Pierre d'Aquin, brother of Antoine, was one of the royal consulting physicians. The first of the name that came over to the new, world was Antoine Benoist d'Aquin, director of the postal service at Rochefort, France, transferred to the Louisiana province to be naval commander in the Mississippi region. His son, Antoine Pierre d'Aquin, born at Fort Conde, Mobile, in the Louisiana province, served the king for 35 years; first as ''Cadet'' in the regiment of Normandy; next, as lieutenant, and through successive promotions, as chief corresponding secretary of the navy, and lastly as comptroller of naval affairs, at Santo Domingo.

In 1760, he married Marguerite Charlotte Bizoton, daughter of Charles Bizoton, who was first secretary of the Comte de Blinac, governor of the French colony in Santo Domingo. A. Bizoton subsequently was secretary of The Royal Admiralty court, appointed by King Louis XV. Antoine Pierre d'Aquin died on the island of Alby, near Toulouse, France, in a monastery, while he was resting, after King Louis XVI had granted him a pension of 3,000 livres. He left a son, Charles Pierre d'Aquin, who was born in Santo Domingo, educated in Paris, and who on his return to the island, married Miss Louise Victoire Le Bon Lapointe. having escaped death during the massacre of the white colonists by the negro slaves, in the early part of the 19th century, Mr. and Mrs. d'Aquin fled to Jamaica. They reared a family of 11 children, the eldest of whom, Louis Charles, was associated with him in the management of 4 coffee plantations in the Blue mountain region of Jamaica. Louis Charles d'Aquin died in New Orleans in 1836, leaving 4 children. His youngest brother, Louis Thomas d'Aquin, had a large family, and married twice. His first wife was Miss Louise Desdunes, and his second wife was Miss Louise Guex. A daughter of Louis Charles d'Aquin is still living in France, at the age of 81 years. Her name is Helene, widow of Frederick Allain. The eldest son of Louis Thomas d'Aquin, Jules by name, married Miss Marie Guex, and had 8 children, 7 of whom are now living, viz.: Louis, Edgar, James, John, Anna, Jules, and Richard. Dr. John Joseph d'Aquin the subject of this sketch, was educated in public and private schools, and at Spring Hill College, near Mobile, Alabama, graduating in 1889 with the degree of A. B., and in 1891 receiving the degree of A. M. He entered the medical department of Tulane university, and in 1892 received his diploma of M. D. During several years Dr. d'Aquin was a member of social and fraternal clubs and societies, but as his professional duties increased he resigned from these organizations, and now devotes himself exclusively to his large practice. Dr. d'Aquin is chief medical examiner for several life insurance companies, and for the Wells-Fargo Express Co. He is a member of the Orleans parish and of the Louisiana State medical societies. Although not having the time to be actively interested in politics, Dr. d'Aquin exercises his right of suffrage as a democrat. In religion he is a Roman Catholic. April 14, 1898, occurred the marriage of Dr. John Joseph d'Aquin and Miss Marcelle Dessommes, daughter of Auguste, and Ernestine (Ducayet) Dessommes. They have two children, Corinne, 15, and John, 12 years of age.

Source: Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form, volume 3, pp. 752-754. Edited by Alcee Fortier, Lit. D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.