Marrero, Louis H.

Submitted by Mike Miller

Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged
in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 282-283. Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914,
by Century Historical Association.

Louis H. Marrero, of Amesville, La., the present efficient sheriff of Jefferson parish, was born near Kingston, Adams county, Miss., July 17, 1847, and is a son of Bastian A. and Lydia Ann (Swayze) Marrero, who were born in St. Bernard parish, La., and Adams county, Miss., respectively. Bastian A. Marrero was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools, after which he followed overseeing for some years in St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes. While yet a single man, about 25 or 26 years of age, he went to Adams county, Miss., where he married a Miss Phipps, who bore him 1 child, a girl, both mother and child dying in less than 2 years.

He engaged in merchandizing in Natchez until 1855 when he removed to Concordia parish, La., and followed cotton planting until 1862, when he removed to Franklin parish; later to Ouachita parish, near Monroe, and finally, in 1867, to his native parish. He removed to the parish of Jefferson in 1881 with his son, the subject of this sketch, where he died in 1884, at the age of 76 years. His parents were Spaniards, who many years ago came to America and settled in St. Bernard parish, La., where they spent the remainder of their lives. The mother of the subject of this sketch died in Concordia parish, in 1857. She was the eldest daughter of Lewis H. Swayze, a
cotton planter of Adams county, Miss.

The union of Mr. Marrero and Miss Swayze, which took place in 1846, resulted in the birth of 5 sons: Louis H., Alonzo, William F., who died in childhood; Eugene C., Dr. Frank G. Louis H. Marrero received the principal part of his education in Potter's private school and the preparatory department of Centenary college at Jackson, La.

In 1862, when but 15 years of age, he joined Company C, 25th La. infantry, and fought at Farmington, Corinth, was with Bragg's army in Kentucky and Tennessee, Murfreesboro (where he was wounded), Jackson, Miss.; Perryville, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, being captured in the last-named engagement on the 25th of November, 1863, and until March, 1865, was imprisoned at Rock Island, Ill., when he was taken to Richmond and paroled.

In 1867, he came to St. Bernard parish, and in 1869 was married to Miss Elodie, daughter of Antonio and Eugenia (Serpas) Marrero, natives of St. Bernard parish. They have 3 sons, named Leo A., William Felix, and Louis H., Jr. They have given their sons every advantage and have the satisfaction of knowing that these advantages have been appreciated and improved. Mrs. Marrero's father, Antonio Marrero, was a prominent planter at the time of his death, in 1878. He was sheriff of St. Bernard parish for some years, and was a member of the Secession convention. Upon the opening of the war he organized a regiment, of which he was made colonel, but did not enter the service.

Since the war, Louis H. Marrero has devoted his attention to planting and merchandising and since 1881 has followed this calling in Jefferson parish. Always a faithful and consistent Democrat, he has been active in behalf of his party, and as a reward of merit has been chosen by those who know him best to the following offices: Member Jefferson parish police jury, 1883-1896; president from 1884-1896, with exception of year and a half; member of state senate, 1892-1896; member Lafourche levee board, 1892-1896; elected sheriff in 1896, and now serving fifth term of 4 years each, which expires in 1916; member of constitutional convention of 1898.

In addition to his many other activities, he is president of the Jefferson Commercial & Savings bank, Gretna, La., and president of the Marrero Land & Improvement association; limited, which
has done great work in the upbuilding of Jefferson parish. He is a Catholic in his religious faith,
and is a member of the soldiers' organization known as the "Army of Tennessee." Mr. Marrero has long been one of the conspicuous and dominant figures in the public life, not only of his parish, but also of the state, and his counsel is sought on matters of importance by those who know the value of his advice and appreciate the equality of his judgment.