Rocquet, Albert, M.D.

Submitted by Mike Miller

Rocquet, Albert, M. D., of New Orleans, La., was born in that city July 7, 1866; the son of Adolphe and Adele (Charles) Rocquet, both natives of New Orleans, the former born Sept. 28, 1831, and the latter May 22, 1839. Mrs. Adolphe Rocquet died Oct. 4, 1901, and her husband passed away March 20, 1910. Jacques Leopold Rocquet, paternal grandfather of Dr. Rocquet, was born in Paris, France, June 11, 1796. He emigrated to New Orleans in his early manhood, and for many years followed the business of jewelry manufacturer, until his death. The family records in the keeping of Dr. Rocquet and of his sister, who is the widow of Peter Mysing, contain a brief and interesting narrative of the heroic conduct of Jacques Claude Martin Rocquet, father of Jacques Leopold Rocquet, in one of the episodes of the French revolution in 1791. While in command of a small detachment of Royalist soldiers, he successfully held a convent in Paris against the mob and saved the lives of several nuns and priests. That brave act was fittingly acknowledged by Pope Pius VII, who sent to Jacques Claude Martin Rocquet a letter of praise with the papal blessing, and a beautiful golden box. Dr. Rocquet's maternal grandmother, Adele (Rigaud) Charles, born in New Orleans, is still living at the advanced age of 93 years. Her mother, Marie Louise (des Touches) Rigaud, of French descent, was a native of San Domingo, the daughter of a plantation owner who was delivered over to Toussaint L'ouverture, leader of the revolution of black slaves in the early part of the 19th century, and executed. One of the slaves to whom he had given a large sum of money and a quantity of jewels not to betray his hiding place, proved a traitor and led the murdering band to Mr. des Touches, who was promptly put to death. His daughter succeeded in hiding herself until she could join a small band of refugees and escape with them to Cuba, and thence to New Orleans. Dr. Rocquet was the fourth child in a family of James Charles Rocquet, now general secretary in Europe of the Equitable Life Assurance ,society of New York, and residing in Paris, France; George Louis Rocquet, who lived in Mexico a number of years, and who died May 20, 1893, leaving 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls; Noemie Marie, widow of Peter Mysing, and the mother of Peter Mysing, Jr., now 25 years of age and residing in Los Angeles, Cal.; Albert Rocquet, M. D., of New Orleans, Adolphe Lucien Rocquet, of New Orleans, insurance agent; and Louise, now wife of Henry B. Daboval, well-known livestock broker, New Orleans and St. Bernard parish; Albert Rocquet was educated at the Jesuits' college, New Orleans, from which he graduated in 1884. He entered the medical department of Tulane university which, in 1889, conferred upon him the degree of M. D. During 2 years, and 6 months he was an interne at the Charity hospital, New Orleans, and subsequently became a member of the staff of physicians of the hospital, but resigned when his practice began to take up most of his time. Dr. Rocquet is devoted to his profession; he has never sought public office, but yet takes much interest in municipal, state and national affairs, and exercises the right of franchise in favor of such men and measures as in his opinion will best serve the welfare of the people. Nov. 27, 1890, Dr. Rocquet married Miss Corinne Hernandez, a daughter of Edward and Nathalie (Ducatel) Hernandez, of New Orleans. The family consists of 5 daughters, Olga, Germaine, Corinne, Marietta, and Juanita.

Source: Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 571-572. Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.