de la Vergne, Hugues Jules (Col.) and son, Hugues Jules

Submitted by Mike Miller

de la Vergne, Col. Hugues Jules--It is not often that the chronicler of family history and genealogy in America is given the advantage of a long and carefully kept lineage coupled with personal distinction and honorable achievement. Of all the descendants from the sons of France who settled in the fair commonwealth of Louisiana, none can look back on an ancestry more creditable than that of Col. Hugues Jules de la Vergue, the well-known lawyer of New Orleans. The de la Vergne family is one of ancient chivalry, and their chateau is situated at St. Priestliguore, Haute Vienne, Limousin, France. The family arms and motto are as follows: Arms-- 'D 'or a la rose de gueules; surmounted by a count's helmet and a coronet." Motto--Honneur et Vaillance." The first of this family to come to New Orleans was Count Pierre de la Vergne, Chevalier de St. Louis, who was born at Brive, France, a son of Seigneur Jean de la Vergne. In 1767 as an officer in the Royal Military company, Count Pierre de la Vergne came to New Orleans, and here his death occurred in 1813. He had married Marie Isabel, daughter of Guillaume and Rose (du Busson) de Vergier. Their son was Col. Hugues de la Vergne, born 1792, died 1843, who was major on the staff of Gen. Jackson at the battle of New Orleans, became secretary of state in 1820 and was colonel on the staff of Thomas B. Robertson, third governor of Louisiana. He was a prominent banker. He married Marie Adele, daughter of Maj.-Gen. Jacques Philippe de Villere, second governor of Louisiana, and by her was father of Col. Jules de la Vergne. Gov. Villere was born in St. James parish, April 28, 1761, his father, Joseph Roy Villere, having served as naval secretary in Louisiana under Louis XV, and married Marguerite Louise de la Chaise, whose grandfather, Jacques de la Chaise, was treasurer of the Colonies during the French domination, and also a granddaughter of Chevalier Charles Frederic d'Arensbourg. A more extended notice of Gov. Villere and his administration will be found in volume II of this work. Col. Jules de la Vergne, born in 1818, died in 1887, was an active paticipant in the public affairs of Louisiana. He was a member of the lower house of the legislature in 1844, and of the senate in 1856. He served as an aide-de-camp on the staff of Gov. Alexander Mouton and as Lieut.-Col. and aide-de-camp on the staff of Gov. Thomas O. Moore during the Confederate war. His wife was Emma Josephine, daughter of Judge Joaquin and Emma (Troxler) Bermudez.

Col. Hugues Jules de la Vergue is the son of Col. Jules and Emma Josephine Bermudez de la Vergue, and was born in New Orleans, July 1, 1867. His education was acquired in the schools of his native city and he graduated from the Jesuit college in 1885 with the degree of A. B. His alma mater conferred the degrees of A. M. in 1887 and Ph. B. in 1893. Having taken up the study of law, he graduated from Tulane with the degree of LL. B. in 1888. He began the practice of his profession in New Orleans where he has built up a lucrative business with an ever widening circle of clients. He was appointed major and aide-de-camp on the staff of Gov. Blanchard, July, 1904, and promoted Lieut.-Col., March 12, 1905. The family life of Col. de la Vergne is most happy. May 2, 1895, he married Marie Louise, daughter of Charles Edouard and Leda (Hincks) Schmidt, of New Orleans, the former of whom was a well-known lawyer of this city. Their children are Marguerite, born Sept. 23, 1896; Juillac Hugues, Nov. 24, 1897; Charles Edouard, Aug. 18, 1904; Marie Louise Helene L da, Aug. 7, 1908; St. Priestliguore Joaquin Jules K., Aug. 17, 1911; Jacques P. Villere, Feb. 27, 1913. The summer home of the family is Villa de la Vergne on Bogue Falia, near Covington, La. Hitherto the town house has been at 823 Esplanade avenue, but recently Col. de la Vergne has purchased one of the finest homes in New Orleans, situated in St. Charles avenue, and here in the future their well-known hospitality will be dispensed in the cordial and gracious manner of the mistress. In social life of the city Col. de la Vergne is active and he holds membership in the Boston, Stratford and Young Men's Gymnastic clubs. Though not a seeker after public office he is always interested in those movements that have for their object the moral uplift and civic welfare of the community. Being yet in the prime of life, much may be expected from him because his inclination, his high standing, and his talent, all impel him to work in a practical way towards high ideals.

Source: Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 124-125. Edited by Alcee Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.

Note: Source includes paintings of both individuals.