EDGARD – In 1842, Jean-Baptiste Caire journeyed from France to Louisiana and founded a family whose contributions to the state and the St. John the Baptist Parish community continue to resonate more than 160 years later.
The descendants of J.B. Caire, his son Etienne J. Caire I and great-grandsons Sydney Caire and Etienne J. Caire II, gathered in Edgard Saturday to recall the colorful history of the family and its roots in the small west bank community.
 Descendants of Jean-Baptise, one of the founders of the historic Caire’s Landing General Store in Edgard, gathered for a family reunion Saturday. Pictured in the top row are Margaret Caire, Warren Caire, E.J. Caire II, Adele Caire and Judge Walton Caire. In the bottom row are Eloise Abadie, Vivien Berthelot, Geraldine Farrell, Sophie Granier and Laura Anne Caire. (Staff photo by Robin Shannon) |
“When Jean-Baptiste immigrated to Louisiana, he spent much of his life as a wandering salesman, or col-porteur,” Dr. Caire said. “He would travel up and down the river selling an assortment of goods to farms and plantations along the River Road.”
Dr. Caire explained that in the 1850’s J.B. Caire ended his wandering days and resigned himself to operating a general store with Edgard resident J.L. Aubert. J.B. Caire would eventually purchase the store and re-brand it “Caire’s Landing.”
“The building sat right on the river bank,” Dr. Caire said. “The store would catch business from passing riverboats, as well as farmers on horseback.”
Dr. Caire said when J.B. Caire passed away in 1876, the store continued to operate under the direction of Mrs. J.B. Caire and their son Etienne J. Caire I.
Dr. Caire explained that E.J. Caire I was well known throughout Southeast Louisiana. He recalled that E.J. was a student at Jefferson College in Convent when J.B. Caire passed away. He said E.J. had an affinity for politics and was known as a staunch republican.
“He once ran for governor of Louisiana on the GOP ticket against Huey P. Long in 1928,” Dr. Caire said. “He would recall the story with sincerity, but we all knew that he knew he had no chance of beating Huey.”
Dr. Caire said E.J. Caire was one of the state’s leading sugarcane planters and would often take over failing plantations in the community. He was president of Bank of St. John and Bank of Ascension, as well as a director of Hibernia Bank of New Orleans.
E.J. Caire passed away in 1955 and left control of his residence and the store to his son Sidney Caire, Dr. Caire’s father. In addition to Warren, Sidney and his wife Cybil would raise 11 other children in that original home.
“There were four boys and eight girls in the family,” Dr. Caire said. “Three of the girls became nuns in the Order of Sacred Heart, my brother Walton became a judge in St. John and the rest of us went on to become teachers.”
Comments
Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All readers comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. The L'Observateur is not liable for messages from third parties.
DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity.
* Comments unrelated to the story.
Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in The L'Observateur reader comments represent the individual's own views and not necessarily those of L'Observateur. L'Observateur does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than authorized L'Observateur spokespersons.
Thank you for your comments!