Doussan, J. E. [Joseph Edmond], M.D.

Submitted by Mike Miller

Doussan, Dr. J. E., successful physician, well-known throughout a large territory, located at Lutcher, St. James parish, La., was born at New Orleans, Dec. 12, 1869; son of Honoré and Mathilde (Soniat DuFossat) Doussan. Honoré Doussan followed the vocation of a cotton merchant at New Orleans during many years. At the beginning of the war, in conjunction with Davidson B. Penn he organized an infantry company for service in the Confederate army, and was elected second lieutenant of this company and participated in all battles and engagements in which the army of northern Virginia took part. This company was attached to Hays' regiment. Later, Honoré Doussan served in the Washington artillery, remaining in this organization to the close of the war.

Honoré Doussan's father was Dr. Honoré Doussan, who had served some 20 years as surgeon major in the French armies under Napoleon I, and had earned the Cross of the Legion of Honor on the battlefield of Dresden. The following were the children of Honoré and Mathilde Doussan: Dr. J. E. Doussan, Alice, now Mrs. Albert Bendernagel, of New Orleans; Celeste,wife of Maj. H. O. Bisset, retired officer of the United States marinecorps, who served in the Philippine islands during Aguinaldo's revolution;Emily, now at the parental home; Avenel, cashier of the American paint works at New Orleans; DeVilchez, attorney, located at New Orleans; Sidney, representative at Bay St. Louis of the firm of Wash Davie & Co., wholesale grocers of New Orleans.

Dr. J. E. Doussan is a graduate of Spring Hill college, Mobile, Ala., from which he successively received the degrees of A. B. (1886) and A. M. (1891). He graduated in medicine from Tulane university of Louisiana in the class of 1891. Following the completion of his professional education, Dr. Doussan served as resident physician at the Lake Borgne and Rigolets quarantine stations for 6 years. In 1899 he engaged in general practice at Lutcher, where he has since remained. He is a member of the state medical society, also of the St. James Medical association, which he has served both as secretary and president. Dr. Doussan is a member of numerous fraternal organizations. He served as state physician of the Knights of the Maccabees from 1910 to 1914, inclusive. In 1914 he was elected Great Sachern of Louisiana Improved Order of Red Men for the customary term of 1 year. Dr. Doussan has taken an active part in public and political affairs. He has served the people of his locality and state in various official capacities. He has served as vice-president of St. James parish board of health and is health officer of Lutcher. He was a member of the state legislature, 1908 to 1912. He was a delegate from St. James to the constitutional convention of 1913. He is a member of the board of school directors, his term expiring at the end of 1914.

Dr. Doussan is a democrat. On Dec. 12, 1895, Dr. Doussan was married to Miss Estelle DuBos, daughter of Henry and Cora (David) DuBos, of New Orleans, both now deceased. Mr. DuBos was a distinguished French literatéur for many years connected with "L'Abeille," the French daily published at New Orleans. One child was born to Dr. and Mrs. Doussan, namely, Germaine now a student at Sacred heart academy, Convent, La.

Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 518-519. Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.