Dubroca, Adolph Valerien

Submitted by Mike Miller

Among the representative, thoroughgoing and efficient officials of West Baton Rouge parish, La., there is probably no one more deserving of mention than Adolph Valerien Dubroca, for his residence within its borders has extended over his entire life, his birth having occurred here on the 21st of September, 1836. He is discharging the duties of parish clerk in a most efficient manner, and possesses in a more than ordinary degree the natural attributes essential to successful career in public life. His father, Valentine Dubroca, was born in Mobile, Ala., but became a resident of West Baton Rouge parish, La., when a child, having been brought hither by his parents. They settled on "Anchorage plantation," now owned by the heirs of John J. Brown, which was then a part of Iberville plantation. After attaining a suitable age in his parish he was sent (as were the majority of wealthy southerners' sons) abroad to finish his education and was graduated from the College of Blois, France. While in Europe it was his intention to study painting, for which he seemed to have a natural taste and decided talent, but owing to the death of his father he hurried back to America, returning to the land of his birth on the same ship which brought the noted Marquis de Lafayette on a visit to the land which he had helped to free from English rule. Putting aside his personal inclinations Mr. Dubroca began devoting his attention to planting, and for the times in which he lived became a wealthy planter, but lost heavily during the war. He was born in 1804 and died in 1882, having been a Jacksonian democrat of uncompromising stripe throughout life. He was married in his parish and his union resulted in the birth of six sons and four daughters. Adolph Valerien Dubroca, was his fourth son, and is the only surviving male member of his father's family. His early school days were spent at Springhill near Mobile, after which he entered Centenary college of Jackson, La., but finished his literary education under the direction of private tutors, Prof. James Gardner, a Scotchman and a graduate of the University of Edinburg, being his most competent instructor. He was twenty years of age when he finished his education, but at that time was far more competent that the average to take up the battle of life for himself. After finishing his literary education he began the study of civil engineering with William 0. Waller of Baton Rouge, and this calling continued to follow for six years after the close of the war, his services being required in building the levees along the Mississippi river and on the West Baton Rouge branch of the Southern Pacific railroad.

On the outbreak of the war in 861 he reported for duty in the confederate service and became a member of Company A, Fourth Louisiana infantry of the Delta Rifles, but was soon after transferred to the Thirteenth Louisiana infantry, as lieutenant of a company and in 1868 was transferred to the trans-Mississippi department as quartermaster of the Eighth cavalry with the rank of captain. He served as such until the close of the war, but during his service suffered the untold privations, sufferings and innumerable dangers of southern heroes. While in the ranks of the Thirteenth Louisiana infantry he participated in the bloody battle of Shiloh and in numerous skirmishes until Corinth was evacuated, and in the battle of Mansfield was taken prisoner, but forty-eight hours afterward was released. No braver soldier ever trod the crimson turf of a battlefield than Mr. Dubroca, and his entire career as a confederate soldier was characterized by strict adherence to duty.

Returning home he commenced to upbuild the fortunes of the family and until 1870 or 1871 he followed his calling of civil engineering. Ill health then compelled him to abandon it. He soon after opened a mercantile establishment at the Ferry landing, but during this time also took contracts on levees. In 1874 he was appointed sheriff, to fill an unexpiring term of two years, and in 1878 was appointed assessor but was shortly after elected to the position of clerk of the parish court and 'ex officio' recorder. His election to this responsible position is but a fitting recognition of his ability, integrity and business capacity, and throughout his public career no taint of suspicion or well sounded breath of scandal has attached to his name. Open and frank in his dealings, honest and outspoken in his expressions, he abhors hypocrisy or meanness in any form, and whatever his own failings may be, they are attributable to errors of the head and not of the heart. He is a stanch democrat, the kind that never scratches his ticket nor bolts a nominee, and has always been interested in the success of the party of which he has so long been a member. In 1870 he was married to Miss Annette Ilon of Baton Rouge, and by her is the father of three sons and two daughters. In the domestic circle Mr. Dubroca is a model husband and father, and makes the happiness and comfort of his family his chief object and aim in life. He is highly esteemed in social life and is personally very popular. His courteous manner and amiable disposition have won him the friendship of all, and in his comfortable and pleasant home he and his wit, dispense a refined hospitality. They worship in the Episcopal church and are liberal in their support of .enterprises worthy their patronage. Mr. Dubroca has been a member of the A. F. & A.M. since 1868, and was the first master of Blazing Star lodge No. 212. He is also a member of that worthy order--the Knights of Pythias.

Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, (vol. 1), pp. 386-387. Published by the
Goodspeed Publishing Company, Chicago, 1892.