Babin, Charles

Submitted by Mike Miller

Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and
Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), p. 590. Edited by Alcée
Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.

Babin, Charles (deceased), of San Gabriel, Iberville parish, was born at that place and resided there throughout life, following the vocation of a planter. He was a son of Henry Babin, also a native of that vicinity, and a planter, who died there at the age of 80 years. Charles Babin was accidentally killed on the river, in 1877, while in his 56th year. His wife died at the age of 52. The ancestors of the Babin family in this state came from Acadia.

Eight children were born to Henry Babin and wife, as follows: Olympe, now the widow of J. Godfrey, mechanical engineer of San Gabriel, who died leaving 3 children, only two of whom are living at this time; Henry, Jr., who married Rebecca Toffear, and is living at the old Babin homestead, which has been in the family about 150 years, has 8 children; Joseph, Florian and Advaline died in infancy; Ignace Gabriel, married to Frances Saurage, daughter of Alexander Saurage, is living on Hope plantation, at Garyville, and has 7 children, viz.: Agnes, Pierson, George, Edward, Helen, Lillian and Maurice, all living, and the 3 first-named attending public school. Mary, the 7th child of Henry Babin, is now at the old home. Cyril, the 8th child, married to Ada Labiche, daughter of Ozeme and Adele (Ory) Labiche of St. John the Baptist parish, also is living on Hope plantation and has 7 children, namely: Germain, Ivan, Warren, Morgan, Leslie, Mercedes and Adele, all living and the three first-named attending public school. The Babin brothers are now owners of Hope plantation, a highly valuable property immediately adjoining the town of Garyville--in fact, the land upon which the town is built originally formed a part of this plantation. They also own a sugar mill on the plantation, valued at about $70,000 and having capacity for handling 350 tons of cane per day.

 These gentlemen have, through their own efforts, accumulated the splendid properties they now control, and are representative citizens who have figured so prominently in the making of Louisiana. Each of them is a practical mechanical engineer--trained, capable, and ready to step in and fill any position about their plant at any time their services may be required in any department of the work. And this, in large measure, constitutes the secret of their success they are practical men. Politically, they are independent. All are united with the Catholic church. Ignace Gabriel is a member of the Woodmen of the World, and Cyril is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus and Catholic Knights of America. Babin Brothers also own a general merchandise business at Garyville.