Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Louisiana
1892
Goodspeed Publishing Company
Chicago
Adam L. Bourgeois, sheriff of St. James parish, La., was born in that parish
March 25, 1831, as was also his father, Adam L. Bourgeois Sr., whose birth
occurred in 1806. This family descended from the Acadians, and is of French
extraction. The father was a prominent planter and followed that calling until
his death in 1855. Adam Bourgeois Jr., was the eldest of ten children, three
sons and one daughter now living, and received his education in a private school
at Frankfort, Ky. Like his father he selected planting as his occupation in life
and continued this until 1879, when he was elected to the office of sheriff.
Previous to this, in 1872, he was elected treasurer of St. James parish and
filled this position with honor to himself and to the satisfaction of his
constituents until 1874. He was subsequently elected police jury and was
president of that honorable body until elected to the office of sheriff. In the
latter capacity he is a representative, thoroughgoing and efficient officer, and
the manner in which he has discharged the duties of this office has fully
testified as to the wisdom of the people’s choice. On February 7, 1853, he
married Miss Azadma Chenet, of St. James parish, who died 15 September 1873,
leaving a large family of children, four sons, and six daughters, now living. On
the 3d of May, 1879, Mr. Bourgeois married Miss A. Schexnaydre, and they have
two daughters and three sons living. In politics Mr. Bourgeois was formerly a
whig but he now affiliates with the democratic party.
