Rodrigue, Edward J.

Submitted by Mike Miller

Rodrigue, Edward Joseph, surveyor of customs, port of New Orleans, was born in the parish of Assumption, La., Oct. 31, 1878, the son of Edward J. and Pauline (Dugas) Rodrigue. His parents were natives of Assumption parish, and were descendants of old and prominent families of Louisiana. The father died of yellow fever in 1878, age 24 years. He was a son of Telesphore and Claire (Verret) Rodrigue, who also were born in Assumption parish, where they spent their lives, celebrating in 1907 the golden anniversary of their wedding. The wife died in 1911, age 83 years. The paternal great-grandfather of Mr. Rodrigue, Edward Rodrigue, came to Louisiana from Canada, and was of French ancestry. Mr. Rodrigue's mother, who lives with him, was a daughter of E. F. X. Dugas, of Assumption parish, whose wife bore the maiden name of Armelise Landry. The Rodrigue and Dugas families have long been prominent sugar planters of Assumption parish, and have borne an active part in the public affairs of their community. Both families are members of the Catholic church. The immediate subject of this sketch, and the only son of his parents, was reared on the family plantation, in his native parish. After completing his common school education, he entered Spring Hill college, where he graduated in 1896, receiving the degree of bachelor of arts, and subsequently his alma mater conferred on him the degree of A. M. Mr. Rodrigue was valedictorian of his class. After leaving college he entered commercial life, first as a clerk in a mercantile establishment in Assumption parish, and later in the lumber business. He was the organizer of the Louisiana Cooperage Co., which is situated on Bayou Plaquemine, in Iberville parish; he was made secretary and manager of said company, but had to retire from the lumber business on account of failing health, although still having interest in the company. In Dec., 1905, he was appointed by Pres. Roosevelt assistant appraiser of merchandise at New Orleans. This position he filled most acceptably until Aug., 1912, when Pres. Taft appointed him surveyor of customs. In politics, Mr. Rodrigue has always identified himself with the republican party, having been a member of the parish, congressional, state, central and executive committees of his party. In 1912 he was a delegate to the national republican convention, and received his party's nomination as a candidate for Congress, but withdrew from the race in order to harmonize contending factions. Mr. Rodrigue is a Catholic in faith, and is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Chess, Checker, and Whist clubs, Southern yacht club, and various other social organizations. In 1901 Mr. Rodrigue led to the altar Miss Ida Martin Himel, of Assumption parish. Four children have blessed this union, namely, George P., Jeanne A., Lucy May, and Edward A. Rodrigue.

Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 381-382. Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.