Ory, Oscar

Submitted by Mike Miller

Ory, Oscar Joseph, D. D. S., whose place of residence is Garyville, was born in Iberville parish, La., Nov. 16, 1885, and is a son of Emydge and Aurelie (Chauff) Ory, both of whom were born in St. John parish, as were the paternal grandparents, Lezin and Melanie (Cambre) Ory, and the paternal great-grandparents, John Louis and Mattias (Cambre) Ory. The ancestors of the Ory family in Louisiana came originally from Lorraine, France. Emydge Ory was educated at public and private schools in the vicinity of his birthplace. At the age of about 15 years he began doing farm work, and 7 or 8 years later, in association with his brothers, who are elsewhere referred to in this work, he purchased property, and the brothers began growing sugar cane on their own account. Their enterprises prospered from the beginning, and from time to time they added to their land holdings until today they are counted among the largest and most prosperous sugar planters in Louisiana and operate 2 modern sugar mills. At this time their properties embrace Woodland, San Francisco, Union, Sarpy, and Ricker plantations, and aggregate near 5,000 acres of sugar lands. Their 2 mills are valued at about $500,000 and have combined capacity for handling near 1,000 tons of cane each day. Emydge was the 2nd of 8 children born to his parents, for more specific data as to whom, see sketch of Lezin Ory, the eldest son, elsewhere in this work. The last named was the only one of the Ory brothers old enough for service in the Confederate army. He served in the Army of the Tennessee from beginning to end of the Civil war, while his younger brothers supported the family at home, though they themselves were eager for the fray. Emydge affiliates with the republican party in National affairs and with the democratic party in local affairs. He is a member of the Catholic church. Jan. 20, 1872, Emydge Ory was married to Aurelie Chauff, daughter of Benjamin and Aurelie Chauff, the former of whom was born in Assumption and the latter in St. John parish. Eight children were born to their union, as follow: Paul, died at the age of 2 years; Aurelie, wife of Emile Hebert, living in St. John parish, and the mother of 8 children, 5 of whom are now living; Lea, died at the age of 2 years; Virginia, wife of Sidney Labiche, who is cashier of the Gary State bank, at Garyville, where they reside with their children; Blanche, died in infancy; Oscar J., subject of this sketch; Alphonse, died in infancy, and the 8th child died at birth. Oscar Joseph Ory received his early education at private schools in the vicinity of his birthplace. Later he attended public school, and afterward a parochial school at Plaquemine. He then entered Jefferson college, from which he graduated with the class of 1903. In the same year he matriculated in the dental department of Vanderbilt university, from which he graduated with the degree of D. D. S. in the class of 1906. Immediately thereafter he established himself in offices at Garyville, where he has since devoted his abilities to the practice of dentistry with results equally gratifying to his patients and himself. Dr. Ory also maintains offices at Laplace, where he passes Wednesday of each week as a convenience to his patients in that locality. He is a member of the Louisiana State Dental and the first and second district dental societies, Vanderbilt Alumni Dental association, and the Delta Sigma Delta Dental fraternity. He affiliates with the Catholic church, and is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Woodmen of the World, and Imperial Order of Redmen. The doctor is a stockholder and vice-president of the Gary State bank. He is a stockholder, also, in the Bank of St. John, and owns valuable real estate, a commodious home, and an office building at Garyville. Oct. 15, 1908, Oscar Joseph Ory was married to Beatrice Richard, daughter of Oscar and Jane (Lopez) Richard, of Iberville parish, where Mr. Richard follows the vocation of sugar planting. One child has been born to Dr. and Mrs. Ory, namely, Oscar Richard.

Source: Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form, volume 3, pp. 689-690. Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit. D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.