1914 Biography - Lenesse J. Alleman

Alleman Lenesse J., of the city of Lafayette, in the parish of Lafayette superintendent of the parish public schools, was born March 6, 1873, in the parish of Assumption, La.; the son of Narcisse and Orella (Simoneaux) Alleman, both natives of Assumption parish. The Allemans are of Spanish origin. They have been residents of Louisiana since the Spanish domination m that state. The Simoneaux family is of French descent, having emigrated from the mother country to Nova Scotia whence, fleeing from British tyranny they journeyed down to Assumption parish, with the large body of exiles called "Acadians" that settled in the southern parishes of the Pelican state, in 1765. Narcisse Alleman was a merchant. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in a Louisiana regiment, and served until the close of hostilities in 1865. Ten years later he removed to St. Mary parish and conducted a mercantile business in Centreville, where he died June 2, 1910, at the age of 69 years. Mrs. Alleman passed away in her fortieth year. The subject of this sketch was a member of a family of 5 sons and an equal number of daughters. He was educated in the public schools of Centreville; and at the Christian Brothers' college, Memphis, Tenn., graduating in 1892 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. After having been a school teacher for several years, he took a professional course at the Louisiana State Normal school, from which he graduated m 1898. In order to be better qualified for the profession of teacher, Mr. Alleman followed one term at the Chicago university. He was placed in charge of the grammar school at Centreville with only two teachers and under his administration the school was advanced to the 11th grade and was issuing certificates to its graduates, entitling them to admission to higher institutions, without the formality of an examination. Through his efforts a sum of money was raised by subscription for the construction of a modern school building. In 1901 Mr. Alleman was appointed superintendent of schools in Lafayette parish - the second incumbent of that office under the Act of the Louisiana legislature of 1898 - and remained in service until 1907. In the latter year he was elected state institute conductor and assumed the duties in connection with the management of summer schools and teachers' institutes. During his administration which continued until 1912, the membership of the schools and institutes was doubled. Again called to the of superintendent of the Lafayette parish schools an 1912, Prof. Alleman pursued with renewed activity his system of improvements particularly in carrying out the provisions of the parish ordinance of 1902, levying a special tax for the benefit of school extension, and the erection of modern buildings. Twenty-three new schools were constructed, containing from 1 to 6 rooms; 2 of these edifices in the city of Lafayette are very large. The parish was the first to build consolidated schools and to transport the pupils in wagonettes to and from the places of study. The change from old to new methods has been effected during the excellent administration of Prof. Alleman, with the cooperation of able and public-spirited officials and the substantial aid and approval of the people of Lafayette parish. A high standard of education has been established; there is one teacher for not more than four grades, and thereafter the pupils are required to attend a central school. There is an approved agricultural high school of the consolidated type, with courses in agriculture and home economics, and having a 10-acre farm and model barn. Another agricultural high school of a different nature has teachers who go to the homes of the pupils, to demonstrate the best methods of getting results from the soil. In two other schools there are home economic instructors. In addition, the United States government, in conjunction with the parish school board, has a farm demonstrator wlio devotes one-half of his time to instructing adults, and the other half to teaching the boys and girls in agricultural clubs, which are organized solely among the school children. Prof. Alleman is a member of the National Educational association; and a member and secretary of the Louisiana State Teachers' association. In 1900 he married Miss Nellie Whitworth, of Iberia parish. They have 4 children, Ray W., Eleanor, L. J., Jr., and Florence W. Alleman.

Extracted 2020 Nov 01 by Norma Hass, from Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form, published in 1914, volume 3, pages 21-22.

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