Gardere, Fergus

Submitted by Mike Miller

Fergus Gardere, Manchac, is one of the most prominent citizens of East Baton Rouge parish, La., and in the early years of his career was a conspicuous figure in the political history of the state. He was born in the city of New Orleans, October 2, 1817, and there grew to man's estate. He attended the first college that was ever established in his native city, and when he left school he took a position as accountant in the commission house of John A. Merle & Co. He remained there five years and then took a place in the state treasurer's office as accountant. In 1843 he determined to abandon this profession and removed to Jefferson parish, La., and embarked in the sawmill business. While a resident of this parish he represented that senatorial district from 1850 to 1862, and was also a member of the constitutional convention of 1852. He was a member of the convention that voted for secession, although he cast an opposing vote. However, when the struggle came, he an senator and as an individual gave an unqualified support to the confederate cause. In 1866 he removed to East Baton Rouge parish where he has since resided. He has made an effort not to take any part in the politics of the parish or state, and the only public office he has held is as a member of the police jury; he is president of that body. Mr. Gardere is the proprietor of "Chatsworth plantation," which contains 2,300 acres; the greater portion of this is planted to cane, and an immense amount of sugar is refined every year. The refinery is fitted out with the latest improvements in machinery, and in 1891 the output was 650,000 pounds. Mr. Gardere was married in 1837 to Miss Emilie Bledano, of New Orleans, and four children were born of the union; only one daughter survives, she married S. Chalaron, cashier of the Union Bank of New Orleans. Mrs. Gardere passed from this life in 1850.

Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, (vol. 1), p. 430. Published by the Goodspeed Publishing Company, Chicago, 1892.