Coatney, 90, of Lake Charles, died Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017, in Tomball, Texas, after a brief illness.

Dr. Coatney was a native of Grand Chenier, where she received her primary and secondary education. In 1947, she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture from Southwestern Louisiana Institute. Following her graduation, she took her first position as County Extension Agent out of Cameron.

She furthered her education, receiving a second Bachelor of Science Degree from McNeese State University in 1962 from the Department of Animal Science, then a MS in education from Northwestern State University in 1970, followed by a Master of Education from the same university in 1972. She then attained her
Doctor of Philosophy from Texas Women’s University in 1974. She retired after 24 and a half years as Head of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at McNeese State University and in 2003 was honored by the university with Professor Emeritus of Family and Consumer Sciences at McNeese State University.

She was a member of many professional and social organizations including Delta Kappa Gamma, Phi Kappa Phi, Louisiana Retired Teachers Association, Calcasieu-Cameron Retired Teachers Association and McNeese State University Alumni Association. She was also a charter member of the Louisiana Seafood Board.

She is survived by one daughter, Sandy Coatney Eldred and husband Frank of Spring, Texas; two sons, David Paul Coatney and wife Cheryl of Spring, Texas, and Richard Coatney and wife Nancy of Lafayette; seven grandchildren; two great grandchildren; two brothers, Bill Doland of Grand Chenier, and Bobby Doland of Houston, Texas.

Preceding her in death were her parents, David Yandell Doland Sr. and Estelle Miller Doland; one brother; one sister; and her husband, Gene Coatney.

A Mass of Christian Burial was observed Saturday, Sept. 16, at Our Lady of Good Counsel with Father Alan Trouille serving as celebrant. Interment followed services at McCall Cemetery in Grand Chenier.

DR. COATNEY IS NAMED TO POST
     Dr. Barbara Doland Coatney, a native of Cameron Parish and the holder of five college degrees in the field of home economics and education, has been named to head the Department of Home Economics at McNeese.
     Prior to joining the McNeese faculty, she was a teacher of home economics at Alexandria Junior High School and an instructor in the Northwestern State University continuing education program.
     Born in Grand Chenier, Dr. Coatney earned a bachelor of science degree in home economics at USL and a second bachelor’s degree at McNeese. She also holds the master of science in home economics education and master of science education in media education granted by NSU and the doctor of
philosophy in the field of home economics from Texas Women’s University, Denton, Tex. [​Cameron Parish Pilot, March 26, 2009 (reprinted from the March 25, 1976 edition)]

Purchase Pierre V. Miller family book.

Margaret Elaine Miller Richardson passed away peacefully in her sleep Sunday morning, May 29, 2016, after a battle with lung cancer. She was born 12 December 1926, in Reddell, Louisiana, to Cleophas and Isabelle Michot Miller, the fourth of eight children. Raised a Catholic, she along with her brothers and sisters learned the importance of honesty, integrity and customer service while working in the family's General Store. After graduating Vidrine H.S., she attended The University of Southwestern Louisiana, now University of Louisiana, Lafayette, where she earned a B.A. Degree in Foreign Languages. She went on to teach at Pearl River Jr. College in Pearl River, Mississippi, where she met another teacher Charles Ray 'Rich' Richardson, who was to become her husband. They were married in Reddell on November 25, 1948. From there she moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, to be a homemaker and raise five children. Always interested in family history, she became a professional genealogist. She taught genealogy at Del Mar College, helped to found the Coastal Bend Genealogical Society where she was a past president, lectured and gave workshops on genealogy, and edited two genealogical quarterlies. Elaine led many ministries and groups at St. Patrick Catholic Church. She belonged to The Holy Family Guild, Altar Society, Sunday Lunch Bunch, Caring Friends, St. Patrick's Supper Club, Autumn Leaves, taught High School religion, sang in the choir for many years, served as one of the first Lay Reader/Lecturers, and taught hymns before Mass. She was also a member of St. Michael the Archangel Latin Mass Community, the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and Convent Auxiliary, and The Bishop's Guild.

Cleophas and Isabelle Michot Miller, parents of Margaret Elaine Miller

Miller family books
Jacob Miller Family (all known Jacob Miller descendants and family)
Volume I, II, III
Antoine Miller Family (includes the Cleophas Miller family)
Jacob Miller Photos, Vol II (includes Cleophas Miller family in photos of Antoine Miller family.

Damon Miller,
Civil War Veteran

Co. C. Ragsdale Bttn; 1st Texas Cavalry.  He is the son of Jean Baptiste & Celeste Roy and the grandson of Jean Miller and Marie Magdelaine Boutin.

William Jackson Miller joined the Confederacy as a private in January, 1864, near Greensburg. He was in the Cavalry, 10th Battalion, Co. C. He was returning from furlough when the South surrendered and was sent to Baton Rouge for parole on 18th May, 1865. 

He is the son of Charles Frederic Miller and Caroline Duff and the grandson of Jacob Miller, Jr. and Anne M. Cowan Vogel.

Veterans of the Jacob Miller family

Jacob Miller, his wife Anne Marie, and four young children arrived in Southwest Louisiana in November 1769.  Their trip was not uneventful.  The English schooner La Bretana was the last of many ships that made the same trip to Louisiana.  They left Port Tobacco, Maryland on January 5, 1769 after Maryland Governor Antonio de Uloa's decision allowed Acadians displaced from Nova Scotia in what is known as The Acadian Diaspora of 1755 to join their relatives along the lower Mississippi River.  “Fifty-seven German Catholics, who were unwilling to endure the local anti-Catholic hysteria born of the French and Indian War” joined the group of Acadians.  Jacob Miller and his family were part of the latter group.

The ship's crew, not very competent and impeded by alcohol, missed the Mississippi River and ran aground near the Texas coast.  The crew and the ship's passengers were held prisoners at La Behia.  After much negotiation with Spanish authorities, the Acadians and Germans were allowed to leave in August.  Although there were large Acadian and German establishments, recent political unrest required that the Germans be assigned to the predominately Acadian Iberville post.  The Acadians were assigned to Creole Natchitoches.

The Jacob Miller and Anne M. Theigen family, like many arriving in Louisiana at that time, married Acadians and became part of the Southwest Louisiana culture.  The names of the men and women of this family are remembered for their service to their country.

Veterans

• Achee, Patrick G. (Lafayette) US Air Force.  He piloted B-47's and B-52's.  He is the son of  Joseph G. Achee and Mary Winona Miller.  Mary Winona is the daughter of Alcide Miller and Emma Nunez.   Alcide is the grandson of Michel Miller and Hiacinthe Lejeune.
  
• Bergeron, Laura Sherrell. (Jennings)  US Air Force. She is the daughter of Philip Bergeron and Ester M. Lejeune and the granddaughter of Theophile Bergeron and Armide Miller.
  
• Canik, Orrie P. USMC (Grand Chenier/Lake Charles).  He is the son of Stephen Canik and Corrine M. Miller.  Corrine is the great-granddaughter of Pierre V. Miller, Civil War Veteran, and Emelia Broussard.  Pierre V. Miller is the son of Jean Miller and Marie Magdelaine Boutin.
  
• Miller, Ranzy. (Basile/New Orleans). USAF. He is the son of Naddy F. Miller and Helen Courville and the great grandson of Antoine Salomon Miller and Ophelia Fuselier.  Antoine S. Miller is the son of Jean Miller and Marie Magdelaine Boutin.
  
• Miller, Warner Dua. (Kaplan)  USAF. He is the son of Dua Joseph Miller and Melanie Portie.  Dua J. Miller is the grandson of Andeol Miller, Civil War Veteran, and Sadalise Miller. Andeol is the grandson of Jean Miller and Marie Magdelaine Boutin.
  
• Theriot, James Winston. (Creole, LA). U.S. Army. He is the son of John Whitney Theriot and Mary Wilmer   Bonsall and the great grandson of John T Bonsall and Uranie Miller. 
  
• Forshag, Elmer Norwood. (Amite). Staff Sergeant in the Louisiana National Guard. He is the husband of   Elizabertha "Liz" Miller, daughter of Aliday Miller and Agnes Marie Fontenot. Elizaberta is the granddaughter of Martel Miller and Genevieve Paret.
  
• Forshag, Russell (Amite). Colonel, U.S. Army. He is the son of Elmer N Forshag and Elizaberta Miller. See above.
  

Viet Nam War/Viet Nam Era (1955 to 1975 with U.S. involvement escalated in the early 1960s)

• Bacciagolopi, Gooch (Cameron Parish). He is the son of Whitney Bacciagolopi & Lorraine Sturlese, a descendant of Larent Sturlese & Mary Victoira Miller, the granddaughter of Michel Miller & Hiacinthe Lejeune.
  
• Duplechain, Andrus (Eunice).  US Army, Killed in Viet Nam.  He is the son of Cleveland Duplechain and Pauline Manual and the 3rd great grandson of Joseph Marie Bergeaux  and Marie Victorie Miller.  She is the daughter of Jean Miller and Marie Francoise Mayer.
  
• Dupre, Norman Lee (Lake Charles, La).  Died when the helicopter he was piloting in Viet Nam was hit by small arms ground fire.  The craft crashed in the water and Major Dupre drowned. Full military funeral.  He is the son of Alexon Dupre and Nita Montie and the great grandson of Valsaint Montie and Eugenie Miller.  Valsaint Montie is a Civil War Veteran.
  
• Miller, Joseph Carol "Sugar Boy". (Grand Chenier, LA) US Army. Combat wounded Vietnam veteran. He is the son of Watkin J. Miller and Elvina Swire and the 3rd great grandson of Jean Miller and Marie M. Boutin.Miller, Joseph "Joe" Lee. US Army. Combat wounded Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient. He is the son of Frank Miller, Sr. and Ina Azena Miller and the 3rd great grandson of Jean Miller and Marie M. Boutin.
  
• Miller, Julian Lee. (Grand Chenier, LA). US Army. He is the son of Frank Miller, Sr. and Azena Swire and the 3rd great grandson of Jean Miller and Marie M. Boutin.
  
• Miller, Murphy Jr. (Basile/Lake Charles/Alachua, FL). USN, Radioman 1st Class Petty Officer. Served on shore duty in the Norfolk, VA area. He is the son of Murphy J. Miller and Mary Lillian Naquin and the great grandson of Antoine Salomon Miller and Ophelia Fuselier.  Antoine S. Miller is the son of Jean Miller and Marie Magdelaine Boutin.
  
• Miller, Tanzy, Jr. USMC. He is the son of Tanzy Miller, Sr. and Helen Bellow and the grandson of Joseph Mayo Miller and Marie L. Verrett. He is the 4th great grandson of Jean Miller and Marie Francoise Mayer.
  

Korean War Veterans (1950 to 1953)

• Chandler, David, US Air Force.  He married Garland Ann Miller (Basile/Lake Charles/Melborne, FL).  She is the daughter of Murphy J. Miller and Mary Lillian Naquin and the great granddaughter of Antoine Salomon Miller and Ophelia Fuselier.  Antoine S. Miller is the son of Jean Miller and Marie Magdelaine Boutin.
  
• Fuselier, George, US Air Force (Jennings/Lafayette). He served in Japan.  He is the son of Albert Fuselier and Alcina Miller.  Alcina is the granddaughter of  Antoine Salomon Miller and Ophelia Fuselier.  Antoine S. Miller is the son of Jean Miller and Marie Magdelaine Boutin.
  
• Fuselier, Warren. US Army (Jennings).  He served in Korea. Warren and George are brothers.
  
• Miller, Eli, US Army (Jennings).  He married Laura LaBlanc.  He is the son of Jean Baptiste Miller and Marie Young and 3rd great grandson of Jean Miller and Marie Francoise Mayer.
  
• Miller, Horace, Jr (Grand Chenier). US Army.  He is the son of Horace Miller, Sr. and Lydia Miller and the 2nd great grandson of Jean Louis Miller and Marie Louise (Elise) Teller.  Jean L. Miller is the son of Jean Miller and Marie Francoise Mayer.
  
• Miller, Louis (Lake Charles). USMC. Served in Korea.  He is the son of Dallas F. Miller and Effie Broussard and the great grandson of Michel Miller and Hiacinthe LeJeune.
  
• Miller, Luther Calvin (Ville Platte), US Army; cited for meritorious service in Korea during the period 11 January to 19 August 1952.  He is the son of Lucas Miller and Dea Aucoin and the great grandson of Antoine Salomon Miller and Ophelia Fuselier.  Antoine S. Miller is the son of Jean Miller and Marie Magdelaine Boutin.
  
• Miller, Whitney J. (Grand Chenier). US Army.  He is the son of Joseph "Grand Joe" Miller and Sidalise Miller and the great-grandson of Ursin "Yag" Miller and Melaine Dyson.
  
• Nunez, Curtis (Little Chenier).  He is the son of Adonis Joseph Nunez and Mary Irma Conner and the 2nd great grandson of Francois Xavier Miller and Marie Azelie Doucet.  Francois X. Miller is the son of Jean Miller and Marie Francoise Mayer.
  
• Miller, Richard Ray (Grand Chenier), US Army Air Force.  He is the son of Raphiel Miller and Georgia Nell McCall and the great grandson of Michel Miller, Jr. and Mary Elena Broussard.  Michel Miller, Jr. is the grandson of Jean Miller and Marie Francoise Mayer.
  

WWII Veterans (1939 to 1945, U.S. entered in 1941)

• Aguillard, Roy. (Chataignier). He served in the US Army during World War II where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He married Viola Armand. He is the son on Ceius Paul Aguillard and Merecia Miller and the grandson of Antoine Miller and Augustine P. Manuel.
  
• Arceneaux, Charles L. Jr. (Lake Charles), US Navy serving in Shanghai near the end of WWII, training in demolition with the scouters and raiders, now recognized as the Navy Seals.  He married Emma Armeta McCall.  She is the daughter of Henry Albert McCall and Mary Gladys Miller.  She is the daughter of Alcide Miller and Emma Nunez and the great granddaughter of Jean Miller and Marie Francois Mayer.
  
• Bonsall, James B. US Army (Grand Chenier). He is the son of James H. Bonsall and Bernie L. Colvin and the great grandson of Vasin Montie, Civil War veteran, and Eugenie Miller, daughter of Michel Miller, Civil War veteran, and Hiacinthe Lejeune.
  
• Boudreaux, Clarence J. "Bo Chalk", US Navy.  (Creole/Sweetlake) He is the son of Mayo and Lucia Boudreaux and the husband of Beulah Miller.  Beulah is the daughter of Alfred Miller and Cecile Trahan and Beulah  is the great granddaughter of Ursin Miller and Melaine Dyson.
  
• Broussard, Harris, J. US Coast Guard (Grand Chenier). He served as a member of the Swamp Angels in the United States Coast Guard. He is the son of Sosthene Broussard and the former Melicia Miller.  Melicia is the daughter of Eugene Miller and Josephine Angeline Sturlese.
  
• Broussard, Joseph "Bud" Willard, (Grand Chenier). U.S. Army Staff Sergeant and assistant crew chief in World War II for four years servicing among other planes, the B-17G bomber with the 8th Army Air Corp, 306 Bomb Group, 367th squadron. He is the son of Ramie Broussard & Alex Theriot, grandson of Albert Theriot & Annociade Miller & the great-grandson of Pierre V. Miller & Emelia Broussard.
  
• Carter, Brandon, US Coast Guard. (Grand Chenier). He served "aboard a Coast Guard-manned supply ship engaged in amphibious operations against Jap-held islands in the Pacific. One of thousands of Coast Guardsmen pushing the Nips back across the Pacific. Coast Guardsman Carter is a pointer, on an anti-aircraft gun during battle action." (Cameron Pilot) A sister, Aloysia Carter, was in the Nurses' Cadet Corps.  He is the son of Dr. Stephen L. Carter and Lorena Miller and the grandson of Eugene Miller and Angeline Sturlese.
  
• Carter, Aloysia, Nurses' Cadet Corps (Grand Chenier). See above. She is sister to Brandon Carter.
  
• Chance, John Edward.  He married Joretta Ann Achee (Grand Chenier).  She is the daughter of Joseph Gordon Achee and Mary Winona Miller.  Mary W. Miller is the granddaughter of Alcide Miller and Emma Nunez.  Alcide Miller is the grandson of Michel Miller and Hiacinthe LeJeune and the great granddaughter of Jean Miller and Marie Francois Mayer.
  
• Conner, Lee John. (Grand Chenier, LA) US Army. He is the son of Maise Conner & Eudia Broussard. He married Flora Mae Miller, daughter of Frank Miller, Sr. and Ina Azena Swire. Flora is the 3rd great granddaughter of Jean Miller and Marie M. Boutin.
  
• Dorman, James Floyd (Nederland, TX). He is the husband of Josie Mae Miller. She is the daughter of Armand Miller and Lillie Francois.  Armand is the great grandson of Jean Louis Miller and Marie Louise (Elise) Teller.  Jean L. Miller is the son of Jean Miller and Marie Francois Mayer.
  
• Doxey, James Andrew "Sonny Boy". (Grand Chenier). He was killed during the Normandy invasion. He is the son of James U. Doxey and Matilda Sturlese and the grandson of Lucien Sturlese and Phelonia Miller. Phelonia is the grand daughter of Michel Miller and Hiacinthe Lejeune.
  
• Dyson, Ruffin Adam. Army Air Force, 5th Air Force, and 33rd Fighter Control Squadron. He was married to Geneva Miller. He received the Expert Machine Gun and Expert Marksman badge. His citations included the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four Bronze Stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal and the Worl War II Victory Medal.
  
• Fontenot, Purdy (Mamou).  A Pharmacist Mate 3rd Class Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy, he never married and is the son of Leona Miller & Lubin Fontenot. Leona is the daughter of Emile Miller and Leonie LaFleur. Emilier is the son on Antoine Miller and Augustine P. Manuel.  Antoine is the son of Jean Miller and Marie Magdelaine Boutin.
  
• Fontenot, Willis. U.S. Army. Pvt. He is the son of Ernest Fontenot and Pearl Langley and the spouse of Hilda Marie Miller. Hilda is the 3rd great-granddaughter of Jean Miller and Marie F. Mayer.
  
• Gauthier, James Charles "J.C." (Jennings), USMC in the South Pacific and on Wallis Island in World War II.  He married Mary Ann Miller, the daughter of Jean Louis Miller and Marguerite Clement.  Jean L. Miller is the 2nd great grandson of Michel Miller and Hiacinthe Lejeune.
  
• Granger, Earl S. US Army (Bell City). He served in the European Theatre. He is married to Corrine M. Miller.  She is the daughter of Bertrand J. Drozan Miller and Clodia Boudin.
  
• Lane, Jr., Edward Willaim. US Army. Pvt. WW II veteran. He is the husband of Edna Marie Miller. She is the daughter of Philogene Miller and Marie Andy Swire and the granddaughter of Damon Miller, A Civil War veteran, and Onasiz Miller.
  
• Martel, Dewey, (Eunice), US Army. He served in Europe.  He is the brother of Gervis P. Martel (below).
  
• Martel, Gervis Paul, (Eunice & Tampa, FL) US Navy Carpenter's Mate 1st Class Petty Officer.  He is the son of Etienne Martel and Clementine Savoy.  She is the granddaughter of Pierre Savoy and Eugenia Miller and the granddaughter of Jean Miller and Marie Francois Mayer.  He served on the USS Carina, a cargo ship that supported the Pacific Fleet, specifically Espirito Santo and Guadalcanal.
  
• McCall, Norman Francis (Grand Chenier).  He was in the US Navy and served on the USS Jack, a submarine.  He is the son of Henry Albert McCall and Mary Gladys Miller and the grandson of Alcide Miller and Emma Nunez.  Alcide Miller is the grandson of Michel Miller and Hiacinthe LeJeune.
  
• McCauley, Helin, (Oberlin) US Navy. He served on the USS Altamaha (CVE-18) stationed in the Pacific.  He married Louella Fontenot, the daughter of Euclede Fontenot and Myrza Miller. She is the granddaughter of Antoine Salomon Miller and Ophelia Fuselier.  Antoine is the grandson of Jean Miller and Marie M. Boutin.
  
• Mhire, Edison Robert (Grand Chenier).  US Army.  He was station in Luxembourg, Belgium.  He is the son of Apolinaire Mhire and Mary Alice Bonsall.  Mary A. Bonsall is the daughter of John Thomas Bonsall and Uranie Miller, granddaughter of Michel Miller and Hiacinthe LeJeune.
  
• Mhire, Edwin (Grand Chenier).  He is the son of Apolinaire Mhire and Lisa Miller and the great grandson of Francois Xavier Miller and Marie Azelie Doucet.  Francois X. Miller is the son of Jean Miller and Marie Francoise Mayer. He is the half brother to Edison R. Mhire, above.
  
• Mhire, Edwin. US Army (Grand Chenier). He is brother to Horace Mhire, see below. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action in Germany with the combat engineers. He entered the Army in 1943, and went overseas in October of the same year. He participated in the invasion of France. He is a graduate of the 1942 class of the Grand Chenier high school.
  
• Mhire, Horace (Grand Chenier).  He is the son of Apolinaire Mhire and Mary Alice Bonsall and the grandson of John Thomas Bonsall and Uranie Miller.  Uranie Miller is the granddaughter of Michel Miller and Hiacinthe Lejeune and the great granddaughter of Jean Miller and Marie Francois Mayer.  
  
• Miller, Alfred (Grand Chenier). US Coast Guard. He is the son of John Numa (Luma) Miller and Azelie Dupree and the great grandson of Michel Miller and Hiacinthe Lejeune.
  
• Miller, Aliday (Chataignier). US Navy. He is the son of Martel Miller and Genevieve Paret and the grandson of Jean Miller and Marie Magdelaine Boutin.
  
• Miller, Ariel "Slim" (Eunice). U.S. Army. He is the son of Jules Miller and Lena Corkin, grandson of Jean Bte Miller, Jr. and Margurite Courville and the great grandson of Jean Miller and Marie M. Boutin.
  
• Miller, Cleophas. (Ville Platte), (U.S. Navy. Chief Water Tender).  He is the son of Emilier Miller and Leonie Lafleur and the great-grandson of Jean Miller and Marie Magdelaine Boutin.
  
• Miller, Cleveland J. (Grand Chenier). US Navy and served on the USS Ringold and was awarded 10 service medals and various ribbons. He is the son of Damon Miller, a Civil War veteran, and Onasia Miller.
  
• Miller, Clifford Adam. (Cameron). He is the son of Savain Miller and Malaise Broussard and grandson of Damon Miller, a Civil War Veteran, and Onasia Miller. Clifford is the 2nd great-grandson of Jean Miller and Marie M. Boutin.
  
• Miller, Clifford. He is the son of Victor Mathieu Miller and Elodia Thibodeaux and the 2nd great grandson of Michel Miller and Hiacinthe Lejeune.
  
• Miller, Clifford J. US Army. (Grand Chenier). He was wounded in action and was a member of the Ninth armored tank battalion. He is the son of Xavier Miller and Emma Broussard and the great-great grandson of Jean Francois Miller (b. 1842) and Elizabeth Gallien (1853-1929).
  
• Miller, Dominic Joseph, Sr., US Coast Guard (Grand Chenier). He is the son of Hypolite Miller and Mathilda Miller and the 2nd great grandson of Michel Miller and Hiacinthe Lejeune. 
  
• Miller, Dulva D. USMC. He is the son of Artlous Miller and Barbara Brent or Bryant and the 3rd great-grandson of Jean Miller and Marie F. Mayer.
• Miller, Edward James. US Army (Acadia Parish). He is the son of Arthur J. Miller and Josephine Eaves and the 3rd great grandson of Jean Miller and Marie F. Mayer.
• Miller, Ernest Jean, US Army  (Grand Chenier). He is the son of Alfred Miller and Emma Nunez and the 2nd great grandson of Jean Miller and Marie Magdelaine Boutin.
• Miller, Eugene P., Cpl., US Army. (Grand Chenier). . He is the son of Pravate Miller and Aspasie Richard and the grandson of Eugene Miller and Angeline Sturlese. 
  
• Miller, Fred  Ory. US Air Force (Denham Springs). He is the son of William Christopher Miller and Martha Geneva McNabb. He is the 2nd great grandson of Jacob Miller, Jr. and Anne M. Cowan Vogel.
  
• Miller, Freddie, US Navy (Fireman 2nd Class Petty Officer). He took part in the invasion of Iwo Jima. He is the son of John Numa Miller and Alvina Roberts and the great grandson of Ursin Miller and Melaine Dyson.
  
• Miller, George. US Army Air Corps. He is the husband of Martha Lenore Mhire (Grand Chenier & Pottstown, PA).  She is the daughter of Horace P. Mhire, WW II veteran, and Rosa Thibodeaux, and the granddaughter of John Thomas Bonsall, son of a Civil War veteran, and Uranie Miller.  Uranie is the daughter of Mary Elena Broussard and Michel Miller, Jr. Civil War veteran buried at Bayou Beouf, La.
  
• Miller, Gilford Martin, (Grand Chenier). He served in the US Army and was awarded the Purple Heart. He is the son of Joseph "Grand Joe" Miller and Sidalise Miller and the great-grandson of Michel Miller and Hiacinthe Lejeune.
  
• Miller, Gloria La Verne. (Grand Chenier). US Navy Wav.  She is the daughter of Raphiel Miller and Georgia Nell McCall and the granddaughter of Alcide Miller and Emma Nunez.  Alcide Miller is the grandson of Michel Miller and Hiacinthe Lejeune.
  
• Miller, Henry. (Carlyss and Iota and Tee Mamou). He is the son of Louis E Miller and Unknown Daigle and the 3rd great grandson of Frederic Miller and Victoria Mayer.
  
• Miller, Hubert (Grand Chenier).  He is the son of Sidalise Miller and Joseph Miller.  He is the fraternal grandson of Ursin Miller and Melaine Dyson.  He is the maternal grandson of Valsaint Montie, Civil War Veteran, and Eugenie Miller.  His fraternal and maternal grandparents are Michel Miller and Hiacinthe Lejeune.
  
• Miller, Hubert (Grand Chenier), USN.  He is the son of Joseph Miller and Sidalise Miller.  Joseph Miller is the great grandson of Michel Miller and Hiacinthe Lejeune.
  
• Miller, Joseph Burley (Pitreville, LA./Winnie, TX). US Army. Was involved in operations to reopen Burma Road, 700  miles, between India and China, a key supply route to defeat the Japanese
  
• Miller, Joseph Nunez. (Grand Chenier). US Coast Guard; Warrant Officer.  In his late fifties he served his country in the US Coast Guard stationed in Grand Chenier, LA.  He married Edna Theriot and is the son of Alcide Miller and Emma Nunez and the grandson of Michel Michel Miller and Hiacinthe Lejeune.
  
• Miller, Lee John (Lake Charles).  He was in the US Navy and a 2nd Class Petty Officer, Electricians Mate on the USS Marcus Island, an aircraft carrier.  He is the son of Bertrand Joseph Drozan Miller and Clodia Boudoin and the 2nd great grandson of Francois Xavier Miller and Marie Azelie Doucet.  Francois X. Miller is the son of Jean Miller and Marie Francoise Mayer.
  
• Miller, Malcolm L. (Reddell/Mamou). US Army.  He served after WWII in 1946/47 and was stationed in   Japan during the Occupation or rebuilding of that country.  He is the son of  Octave H. Miller and Bertha Ricard, and he is the grandson of Jean Pierre Miller and Caroline Guillory.  Jean Pierre is the grandson of Jean Miller and Marie M. Boutin.
  
• Miller, Minos D., Jr. (Jennings), Lieutenant (Sr. Grade), US Navy pilot and MIA/POW.  A pilot who flew missions from three aircraft carriers and was a Prisoner of War for eight months, presumed dead and buried at sea.  He lived to return to his wife and both enjoyed professional lives in law.  He retired as District Judge for the 31st Judicial District.  Minos married Ruth Means Loyd.  He is the son of Minos D. Miller, Sr., a WW I veteran, and Ruth Adele Ingram.  Minos D. Miller, Sr. is the grandson of Civil War veteran Pierre V. Miller and Emelia Broussard.
  
• Miller, Leroy, Pvt. Cml warfare services.  He died in North Africa on July 17, 1943.  He is the son of Horace Miller, Sr. and Lydia Miller and the grandson of Joseph Viliar Miller and Celestine Andrepont.  Joseph V. Miller is the great grandson of Jean Miller and Marie Francoise Mayer. 
  
• Miller, Paul Wesley (Creole, LA). USMC, 28th Regiment, 5th Marines Division. He was killed in action at Iwo Jima on March 11, 1945. He is the son of Philbart Miller and Natalie Duhon and the 3rd great-grandson of Jean Miller & Mary Francoise Mayer.
  
• Miller, Raphael R, Lt. US Army Nurse Corps. (Grand Chenier). She is the daughter of Raphiel Miller and Georgia N. McCall and the great granddaughter of Michael Miller, Jr. and Mary Elena Broussard.
  

• Miller, Rellim James. (Chataignier & Houston, TX). US Navy on Y O 186. Supplied water to Marshall Islands.  He is the son of Lucas Miller and Dea Aucoin and the grandson of Camille Marie Miller and Martha Paret.  Camille M. Miller is the grandson of Antoine Miller and Augustine Pierre Manuel.  Antoine Miller is the son of Jean Miller and Marie Magdelaine Boutin.  
  
• Miller, Roderick Luke. (Lafayette). US Army Air Force. He served as a B-29 navigator during World War II and was recalled for serve in the Korean War.  He is the son of Cleophas Miller and Isabelle Michot and the grandson of Emile Miller and Leonie LaFleur.  Emile is the grandson of Jean Miller and Marie M. Boutin.
  
• Miller, Rudolph (Grand Chenier).  He is the son of Joseph Miller and Sidalise Miller and the grandson of Ursin Miller and Melaine Dyson.  Ursin Miller is the son of Michel Miller and Hiacinthe Lejeune.
  
• Miller, Sevan J. (Grand Chenier). He is the son of Hypolite Miller and Mathilda Miller and the paternal grandson of Joseph O. Miller and Amalie Boudoin and the maternal grandson of Sevin Miller and Mary Beckman.
  
• Miller, Stephen J. Cpl. US Army. (Grand Chenier). He is the son on Valcin Miller and Aurelia Primeaux and the great-great grandson of Ursin Miller & Melaine Dyson.
  
• Miller, Tony. US Army (Eunice). He is the son of Paul Paulstron Miller and Olin Moreau and  2nd great grandson of Jean Miller and Marie Francoise Mayer.  He served in General Paton's 3rd Army.
  
• Miller, Vergile "Joe". (Iota).  US Navy.  He is the son of Simon Miller and Louise Leger.  Simon is the grandson of Joachim Miller and Modeste Leger.  Joachim is the son of Frederic Miller and Victoria Mayer.
  
• Miller, Watkin. (Cameron).  US Coast Guard.  He married Alvina Swire and is the son of Valsant Miller and Azemie Bertrand and the great grandson Francois Xavier Miller and Marie Azelie Doucet.
  
• Miller, William Paul (Creole). He was married to Wynona Mhire, the son of Joseph Miller and Marie Chloraine Theriot and the grandson of Joseph O. Miller and Amalie Boudoin.
  
• Nunez, Elry, Sr. (Lake Charles)  He married Lora Marie Jones and is the son of Adonis Joseph Nunez and Mary Irma Conner and the grandson of Jean Francois Miller and Elizabeth Gallier.  Jean F. Miller is the grandson of Jean Miller and Marie Francoise Mayer.
  
• Phifer, George H., Captain, US Army.  He married Lt. Raphael R. Miller (see above).
  
• Placette, Gordon Bernard, Sr. US Army. He is the son of Joseph B. Placette and Beatrice Fruge and the great grandson of Joseph A. Fruge and Emerante Miller.
  
• Portie, Ervis, Sr. (Grand Chenier & Houma). US Army. He married Louise Mary Swire and the son of Asa and Louise Portie; the grandson of Michel Montie & Cora Theriot and the great-great grandson of Michel Miller and Hiacinthe Lejeune.
  
• Ricard, Henry. T Sgt. US Army. Killed in action while serving as Flight Engr. on a B-24. He was shot down on June 18, 1944 while delivering supplies to the French underground. He is buried in St. James Military Cemetery, Normandy. He is first cousin to Malcolm L Miller. Henry is his mother's nephew.  Malcolm's mother is Bertha Ricard. She married Octave Miller, son of Jean Pierre Miller and Caroline Guillory.
  
• Richard, Harry J. US Army (Grand Chenier). Awarded the Purple Heart medal for actions at the Battle of Saint Lo.. While he was on the ground, his brother, Martin Richard was flying above to blast a path through the German lines at St. Lo.  He is the son of Charles Richard and Azena Miller and the grandson of Eugene Miller and Angeline Sturlese.
  
• Richard, Martin. (Grand Chenier). A prisoner of war in Germany. He is brother to Harry J. Richard, above. He received the Prisoner of War metal and the Distinguished Flying Cross.  In June 2009, he received France's Honor of Legion, France's highest decoration for his military service during the 65th D-Day anniversary ceremonies.
  
• Rogers, Charles A. "Buster". US Army Staff Sergeant during WWII. He trained troops at Ft. Lewis, WA and because of their perfection; his outfit was chosen to perform for President Harry Truman. He was married to Roberta Eagleson, daughter of Pete Eagleson and Sallie L. Sweeney. Sally L. Sweeney is the granddaughter of Pierre V. Miller and Emelia Broussard.
  
• Sturlese, Adam Gooch, S/Sgt. US Army. (Grand Chenier).  Died at the Battle of the Bulge, Belgium on January 12, 1945.  He is the son of Joseph Frozan Sturlese and Dorothe Theriot and the grandson of Laurent Sturlese and Mary Victoria Miller.  Mary V. Miller is the granddaughter of Michel Miller and Hiacinthe Lejeune. 
  
• Sturlese, Enos. US Army. (Grand Chenier). Brother to Adam Gooch Sturlese. He served in the southwest Pacific.
  

• Sturlese, Hubert. US Coast Guard. (Grand Chenier). He is the son of Lucien Sturlese and Phelonia Miller and the grandson of Valsaint Miller and Mary L. Portie. He is the great grandson of Michel Miller and Hiacinthe Lejeune.
  
• Thibodeaux, Adam Dudley  (1913-2000).  (Lake Arthur) U.S. Navy. He is the husband of Annie Miller, daughter of John Numa Miller and Marie Azalie Duprie. Annie is the granddaughter of Ursin "Yag" Miller and Melaine Dyson and the great-granddaughter of Michel Miller & Hiacinthe Lejeune.
  

WW I Veterans (1914 to 1918)

• McCall, Henry Albert (Grand Chenier), US Army.  He is the son of William Robert McCall and Catherine Norwood. He married Mary Gladys Miller, the daughter of Alcide Miller and Emma Nunez.  Alcide Miller is the grandson of Michel Miller and Hiacinthe Lejeune.
  
• Miller, Benjamin. (Eunice), U.S. Army. Headstone reads "Louisiana Pvt 1cl Evac Hosp 29". He served in WWI and died May 24, 1941. He is the son of Dulva Miller and Marie Ise Fruge and the 2nd great grandson of Jean Miller  and Marie F Mayer.
  
• Miller, Minos D., Sr. (Jennings). Major. US Army.  He is the son of Pierre Valcour Miller, Jr. and Beatrice Sturlese and the grandson of Civil War Veteran Pierre Valcour and Emelia Broussard.  
  
• Rovelia Miller, (Bayou des Cannes near Pine Point and Mamou, LA), US Army. He is the son of  Jean Pierre Miller and Caroline Guillory and the grandson of Antoine Miller and Augustine Fuselier. He died from the flu pandemic.
  
• Miller, Sevenia (Grand Chenier), US Army. Pvt in 165 Inf 42 Div.  He is the son of Civil War Veteran Damon Miller and Onasia Miller.  Damon is the grandson of Jean Miller and Marie Magdelaine Boutin.
  

Civil War Veterans (1861 to 1865)

• Bonsall, Issac, father John Thomas Bonsall, husband of Uranie Miller. He was killed in action on April 8, 1864 at the Battle of Mansfield. 
  
• Boudin, Pierre Beloni, Co. E, Ragsdale's Battn., Tex. Cav.  He is the fraternal grandfather of Clodia Boudoin who married Drozan Joseph Miller. 
  
• Broussard, Emile, Co. A, 8th La. Inf. Enlisted in La.  He is the maternal grandfather of Clodia Boudoin who married Drozan Joseph Miller.
  
• Broussard, Jr., Nicholas.  He was the father of Nicholas Broussard, III who married Ursulia Miller in 1887, the last child born to Euphrosin Miller and Mary Celoma Bertrand.
  
• Cormier, Joseph, Sr., Willers' Tex. Battn.  He was the father-in-law of Victoria Miller, the fifth child of Euphrosin Miller and Mary Celoma Bertrand.
  
• Bradford, Foster M. Son of Isham Bradford and Elizabeth McIntosh. He is the 2nd great-grandfather of Marilyn Dianne Miller. Marilyn D. Miller married John B. Brock, III and is the daughter of Albert D. Miller and Viola Vivian Bradford and the great granddaughter of Pierre V. Miller, also a Civil War Veteran.
  
• Marcantel, Dupre.  Son of Antoine Marcantel and Marie Celeste Miller (Celestine), daughter of Jean Miller and Marie Francoise Mayer.
  
• Marcantel, Joseph. Son of Antoine Marcantel and Marie Celeste Miller (Celestine), daughter of Jean Miller and Marie Francoise Mayer.
  
• Marcantel, Maxile. Son of Antoine Marcantel and Marie Celeste Miller (Celestine), daughter of Jean Miller and Marie Francoise Mayer.
  
• Marcantel, Sr., Rosemond.  Son of Zenon Marcantel, Sr. and Cidalise (Sidalise) Miller.  She is the daughter of Frederic Miller and Victoria Mayer.
  
• McCall, John Martin.  He is the great granduncle of Oma Roberta McCall.  She married Lee John Miller in 1946.  Lee J. Miller served in the U.S. Navy during WWII.
  
• McCall, William Harrison.  A Confederate soldier in Gen. Richard Taylor's army facing a Union invasion up the Red River, he died of pneumonia somewhere near Mansfield, LA.  He is buried at Confederate Cemetery, Mansfield, LA.  He is the great granduncle of Norman, Claude, Oma Roberta, Emma Armeta and Henry Albert McCall, Jr., all children of Henry A. McCall and Mary Gladys Miller.  Mary G. Miller is the daughter of Alcide Miller and Emma Nunez.
  
• Miller, Adolphe.  Son of Jean Louis Miller and Marie Louise (Elise) Teller: grandson of Jean Miller and Marie Francoise Mayer.  
  
• Miller, Ageren. Pvt. Co. G, 1st La. Hvy. Arty.  Killed at the Battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Probably brother of Edmond. 
  
• Miller, Andeol.  He is the son of Jean Baptiste Miller and Celistine Roy and the grandson of Jean Miller and Marie Magdelaine Boutin.
  
• Miller, Euphrosin.  Son of Michel Miller and Hiacinthe Lejeune, grandson of Jean Miller and Marie Francoise Mayer.
  
• Miller, Jacob.  Pvt., Co. A, Miles Legion (32nd La. Infantry).  He is the son of Jean Frederic Miller and Catherine Reed and the grandson of Frederic Miller and Victoria Mayer.
  
• Miller, Damon. Co. C. Ragsdale Bttn; 1st Texas Cavalry.  He is the son of Jean Baptiste & Celeste Roy and the grandson of Jean Miller and Marie Magdelaine Boutin.
  
• Miller, Dennis. Co. D; 7th La. Cavalry.  He is son of Luffroy & Rebecca Hall and grandson of Frederic Miller and Victoria Mayer.
  

• Miller, Dutrive. Co. G; 28th Infantry.  He is the son of Jean Louis Miller, Jr. and Julie Bello and grandson of Jean Louis Miller and Marie Louise (Elise) Teller. 
  
• Miller, Leufroy. Co. B, 7th La. Cavalry.  He is the son of Jean Frederic Miller and Louise Fruge and grandson of Frederic Miller and Victoria Mayer.
  
• Miller, Edmond. He was killed at the Battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi in November 1862. Probably brother of Ageren. 
  
• Miller, Emile.  He was killed at the Battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Probably not the brother of Ageren and Edmond even though they had a bother named Emile.
  
• Miller, Gustave.  He may be the son of Luffroy & Rebecca Hall and grandson of Frederic Miller and Victoria Mayer.  Since he was born in 1851 he would have served at a very young age as this Gustave enlisted in October 1862.  He went to Jackson, La. hospital 5-11-1863 and at a parole camp in Mississippi on 1-2-1864.
  
• Miller, Jean Baptiste.  Son of Jean Frederic Miller and Louise Fruge.  Grandson of Frederic Miller and Victoria Mayer.
  
• Miller, Jean Francois. Co. B. La. Cavalry. He is the son of Francois Xavier Miller and Marie Azelie Doucet and the grandson of Jean Miller and Marie F. Mayer. He married Elizabeth Gallien/Gallier in 1882.
  
• Miller, Jean Ursin.  Co B, 17 La Inf, C.S.A.  He is the son of Baptiste Ursin Miller and Louise Fruge and the grandson of Jean Miller and Marie Francoise Mayer. 
  
• Miller, Joseph Ozincoutt.  Port Hudson Hospital Ledger reports leg amputated. Presumed he died near Port Hudson as he never returned home.  Some believe he fought and died at Battle of Mansfield.  He is the son of Jean Miller and Mary Magdelaine Boutin.
  
• Miller, Jr., Michel.  He died in 1864 on Bayou Bouef (near Morgan City) on his way home to Grand Chenier after serving in the Civil War.  He is the son of Michel Miller and Hiacinthe Lejeune and the grandson of Jean Miller and Marie Francoise Mayer.
  
• Miller, Valery.  Co. D, Weatherly Battalion.  Surrendered and discharged at Mansfield.  He is the son of Jean Louis Miller, Jr. and Julie Bello and grandson of Jean Louis Miller and Marie Louise (Elise) Teller.
  
• Miller, William Jackson.  William Jackson Miller joined the Confederacy as a private in January, 1864, near Greensburg. He was in the Cavalry, 10th Battalion, Co. C. He was returning from furlough when the South surrendered and was sent to Baton Rouge for parole on 18th May, 1865. He is the son of Charles Frederic Miller and Caroline Duff and the grandson of Jacob Miller, Jr. and Anne M. Cowan Vogel.
  
• Miller, Pierre Valcour. Pvt. Co. G, 1st La. Hvy. Arty. (Regulars).  He is twin brother of Joseph Ozincoutt Miller.  He is the son of Jean Miller and Marie Magdelaine Boutin.
  
• Miller, Philomen.  He enlisted on October 27, 1861, New Orleans, La. in Co. B., 18 Louisiana Infantry Regiment.  He is the son of Joachim Miller and Modesta Leger and the grandson of Frederic Miller and Victoria Mayer.
  
• Miller, Ursin.  Served with Fournet's Battn. La. Inf. Enlisted in LA.  Son of Michel Miller and Hiacinthe Lejeune, grandson of Jean Miller and Marie Francoise Mayer.
  
• Montie, Valsaint.  He served with Crescent Regt., La. Inf.  He is the husband of Eugenie Miller, daughter of Michel Miller and Hiacinthe Lejeune.
  
• Sturlese, Joseph Andre.  The ancestor of many Miller's as his children were married to Ursele Miller, Eugene Miller, Mary Victoria Miller, Pierre, Valcour Miller, Jr., and Filona Miller.
  
• Theriot, Jean Baptiste Villor. Pvt., La. Art. And Crescent Regt., La. Inf.  He married Cleonise Richard.  They are the parents of Albert Theriot who married Annociade Miller.  Annociade Miller is the daughter of Civil War Veteran Pierre Valcour Miller and Emelia Broussard.
  
• Vige, Edomond Pierre. Pvt., Co. I, 28th (Thomas') La. Inf. He married Catherine (Katie) Langley and their great-great grandparents of Ethel Marie Fontenot, the great great grandchild of  Zenon Marcantel & Sidalise Miller. Sidalise is the daughter of Frederic Miller and Victoria Mayer.
  

Mexican-American War (1846 to 1848)

• Miller, Jacob Jackson. The son of Jacob Miller, Jr. and Anne Marie Cowan Vogal and the grandson of Jacob Miller and Anne Marie Theigen.
  

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*“The Long Road to Louisiana: Acadian Exiles and the Britain Incident” by Carl A. Brasseaux, Assistant Director of the Center for Louisiana Studies at the University of Southwestern Louisiana.
* The veteran information was obtained from The Civil War Veterans of Old Imperial Calcasieu Parish Louisiana, Compiled by Betty Tyler Rosteet & Sandra Fisher Miguez, Southwest Louisiana Genealogical Society, Inc., Library of Congress: 94-1245, 1994 and from personal research performed by Malcolm L. Miller, Murphy Miller, Jr. and others.

A family book with 204 pages was published for this reunion. A preview of this book with the Table of Contents and the front/back cover can be viewed here. You may purchase your copy at this same web site or go to lulu.com and search for the book by title.

More details about the reunion here.

Frank Miller, Sr. (1910-1981) & Azena Swire (1913-1989), is a family with Cameron Parish roots. They had 8 children and many of the family members continue to live in Southwest LA. This book reports on the descendants of Frank and Azena as well as the ancestry of the 8 children whose names are Miller, Swire, Bertrand, Gallier, Abshire, Aucoin, Benoit, Boutin, Broussard, Carriere, Conner, Doucet, Fontenot, Guidry, Lejeune, Mayer, Nunez, Quintero. Roy, Sonnier, Teller, Theriot, Thibodeaux, Touchet and Trahan. This book includes some obituaries. Where references are provided from Rev. Hebert's publications, the meaning of the abbreviated references are listed thus allowing one to order birth certificates, marriage contracts and licences from the church, court house, etc. Additionally this book lists all the known military veterans of the Jacob Miller and Anne M. Theigen descendants. The ancestry reported in this book goes back to the 1400's, 15 generations.

According to Paula Marie Shipp, the 'key' author or fact gatherer here is Jacky Olivier Vidrine with much information/research from my great aunt Alice Veillon Lasseigne.
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OSMIN VEILLON - AURORE FONTENOT

There is a moral and philosophical respect for our ancestors which elevates the character and improves the heart…..(by Daniel Webster)

Osmin (Ozeme) Veillon and Aurore Fontenot (About 1872-1936)
Children: Eraste, Andraste, Mathilde, Maxile (Ti Oncle), Amy, Oratia (Ti Tante)

Much of the account of the early married life of Osmin and Aurore comes from stories told her granddaughter, Marie Vizinat Morgan, who slept with her many years after she became a widow and moved from her farm into the village of Point Blue.

When Osmin and Aurore married, they Homesteaded in the golden prairies on land near what later became Point Blue village. One could apply with the government for any amount of arpents, but all the land granted had to be farmed. So they decided on 80 arpents.  They were given tools to till the soil. Animals - a cow, horse, pigs, few chickens and the rooster were given by friends and relatives. Their first home was a crude shed with a fireplace and dirt for the floor. Space had to found in the shed for the animals until a barn could be built. Blocks and logs were used to sit on. Many stories were told about Indian families camping at the edge of the woods for a while in tents then moving on to another location. There was never mention of any hostilities experienced during their many contacts with the Indians.

Later a nicer home made of cypress boards on pillars with a shingle roof was built with a front porch on the south side. A door from the porch led to the-large main bedroom with a fireplace and two small bedrooms at the back. At one end of the porch was the long dining room with a second fireplace used also as a living room with a small kitchen adjoining it. At the other end of the porch was the staircase leading to the "grenier" (attic). The back porch had a shelf holding a bucket of water with a ladle for drinking, a small wash basin with towel handing on the nail on the-post for drying hands.

Storage closets were unheard of. Quilts and bed linens were folded and stacked against the wall on a lattice back chair placed backwards. Clothing was folded in the armoire. A board or picked fence enclosed the small yard with its narcissus, sweet magnolia, and gardenia. On the other side of the fence one or more china berry trees was used to shade the company's horse and buggy or for climbing or enjoying a swing. The folks then made frequent use of the rocking chairs that had the cow hide seats on their porches. Doors on the south side always remained open even during winter months when the fireplace had a blazing fire. The wooden doors and "fenetre" (windows) at the back remained closed in winter.

Aurora in. her youth was not: afraid of anything. She tackled any and all jobs around the farm. She'd swing a burlap sack over her shoulders to gather corn, cotton or vegetables from the fields. She cooked, made her soap, churned butter, grinded corn and would hoe like a man. Cotton was spun, corded, and, woven into cloth in the homes.

Ailments from cuts, burns, or snake bites were simply treated by a prayer (taught to Marie, but she's forgotten it) over the ailment. Family, relatives and neighbors came for treatment, and then left with a "cordon" (string) around the ankle, arm or neck. Coal oil was used to treat sores.

The typical long full camisole type dress Aurore wore was often black or black and white print because when relatives died a period of mourning began - only black clothing for months then black and white for another six months and-no parties - no dances. 

The underwear Aurore wore was limited. As she walked about the yard she lifted a foot dog-fashion to meet her needs or stooped in the field, the barn, or over a board elevated and anchored in the corner of a fenced area. Corncobs were handy for the cleaning. In later years the outhouse (prevet) came into being with one or two holes and sometimes a lower hole for children. The empty cartridge wood box held the corncobs and much later a discarded Sears catalog was used. 

Aurore was a pleasant, likeable person full of "joie de vie". Marie remembers her words as she was near death. "I believe in good times. You have cared for me well. Now the day after I die I want you to go dancing and have fun."

In her later years she neglected her personal appearance. The few teeth left were stained from tobacco. She very seldom washed her oily silver streaked long hair that she tied into a "catogen" (bun).

Another granddaughter observed when she was older; I don't recall her doing any housework. She depended on the granddaughters to do it when they visited. The place was neglected and outside domestic help did not exist.

All Aurore's adult life the spittoon rested by her rocker to receive the constant spitting from continuous tobacco chewing unless- she was close to the fireplace. A row in the field was reserved for her tobacco plants. Carefully in harvesting she laid the chosen leaves to dry in a shed at the barn piece by piece with stems up for months turning them now and then as they cured. Then each leaf was laid perfectly flat by rubbing them over the other real smooth. Then she rolled them into a hard tight roll, tied it securely all around using her foot as anchor. A few days later as they cured and shrunk she tightened the string again. After about a year the "caraute de tobac" was ready to be sliced real fine for pipe smoking or in chunks for chewing.
Tobacco was also used to control chicken lice. The leaves were layered under the hen in the nest.

Money was scarce. Eggs as a food was a luxury because they were used as cash to buy staples in the village store such as flour, coffee or rice.

Cotton was king then as a source of income. Cotton picking late August through September knew no age limit. All would take to the fields; dump their filled burlap sacks on the porches or in a room made empty for the season, or in the barn until ready to load the wagon for the trip to the local cotton gin where at the peak the line of cotton-filled wagons was half a mile long.

Sugar cane was grown on a small scale - a small horse-drawn mill made the syrup.  Chewing sugar cane and drinking cane juice was enjoyed. Corn was grown mostly for animal feed and for meal. Grinding corn and making cornmeal was a regular chore.

Herds of .cattle were kept in the woods and often driven home at sundown on horseback along the-narrow dusty path. Marie remembers how when one head died others would get around the dead animal and form a circle - those from far in the pasture came running too.  All would get on their "knees" that is, bend forelegs. There seemed such a sad note in the leading bull's bellowing, and then all would answer bellowing as if crying.

When the mattress came into use in the area they were first made of corn shucks enclosed in homespun with slits on a top for a daily shuffling of the shucks to freshen it. Soon-moss gathered in the woods was also used for mattresses. Both covers had to be washed in the spring which meant emptying and saving chucks and moss to refill when covers were ready. Later feathers saved when chickens and ducks were plucked and cleaned to eat were used for bolsters (very wide pillows the size of double bed) as well as mattresses. The wings of the fowl were opened and held down with the heavy black pressing wrought iron for several weeks to use for fans or dusters.

Sheets were of creamy white striped or checks blue and whites in homespun cloth. Except for spun blankets, only quilts were used to keep warm in winter. Warm bricks under the quilts kept the feet warm. A mosquito net was used on all beds

People then lived close to nature. Chickens-roamed free in and out of Aurore's house. She kept nests in some bedrooms and in boxes placed in the corner of the shelf over her fireplace. The droplets that fell in the house were allowed to dry then simply swept away.

Broom straw was grown to make brooms. A scrub brush (mop) was made of corn chucks forced through a series of holes on a board with a handle. Crushed bricks were used in scrubbing floors.

Of the six children born of this union, all became farmers. None received any formal education. The second to the oldest, Adraste, filled with ambition and determined to better himself, moved to Vile Platte after he married and became a self educated (limited) merchant and later a car dealer. Osmin always looked forward to Sunday when the Adraste family came for a visit. Sunday, April 8, 1912, Osmin died suddenly of a heart attack as Adraste and his family was arriving for the usual visit.

One of the best remembered relatives is 0smin's brother Uncle Blanc (Alphonse) who lived many years with the Adraste family to help farm. He never was observed wearing shoes in his lifetime. So tough was the sole of his feet that he actually teased hot coals in the fireplace with bare toes. Once when he made a deep cut with his plow, he just took a handful of salt, packed it on the cut and kept on working. It healed. Many a night he gathered the young ones to tell scary ghost stories.

The oldest son, Eraste, also will long be remembered as an unusual character. He was thin, with a dark complexion from outdoor living and had high cheek bones. He traveled on horseback with bare feet most of the time. He chewed tobacco, ate with his knife, and. used the fork to pile his food on the 'knife (later we found out this was accepted in some cultures). He took a sip of cold black coffee every, time he passed by the coffee pot and he loved his nip of whiskey. 0n horseback he would take to the woods or go to the village to the bar to pass the time. Once after a few drinks he forgot his horse tied by the post at the village bar and walked several miles back home. In contrast, the wife, Ti Lise, was tall, dignified, and neat as a pin, kept a clean and attractive home and reared a family of four children without much help from Eraste. She was deeply religious and one of the few church goers around, although most said their prayers, rosary, and had an altar with crucifix and statues. Ti Lise would fetch her horse on Saturdays in readiness to hitch the buggy before dawn the next day for her and the children to go to mass.

Adraste would never give his wife money - so in her middle years she'd scheme to never let him sleep with her unless he paid her! When he got sloppy and usually under influence of alcohol, they occupied separate beds, but she remained charming to the relatives and he was still likeable-to us.

The word nutrition was unheard of yet, they managed to eat well and keep healthy. All farms had their "verger" (Orchard) in the chicken yard so chickens could keep fruit trees free of worms and bugs - citrus trees, pears, plums, peaches with the mulberry tree (or a Chinese tallow) for children climbing. Seasonable trips to the woods provided muscadines, crabapples, blackberries, or persimmons. Much of the fruit was eaten by children while still green, but few stomach aches resulted.

The pond in the pastures and the ditches alone the road provided craw fishing. Men folks hunted for birds and ducks. Wood to burn in the fireplace and in the black iron cook stove had to be gathered by wagon load in the woods, then sawed in logs or chipped in pieces.

All children had chores around the home. The boys milked the cows, ground the corn, chopped and stacked wood for the fireplace and cook stove. Coal oil [1] lamps had to be filled. Often the cows ate bitter weeds from the fields. The milk was bitter - sugar and coffee or syrup added could not remove the bitter taste but it was "drink it or else…"

Families belonged to a neighboring group for a boucherie on Saturdays. The animal was killed with a machete (mallet) or hammer. The animal was suspended under a tree a few days then butchered and divided amongst participants. In the home it was cooked fresh, some dropped along with the milk in separate containers from a rope into the well to keep cool, some the pork was salted or smoked for tasseau, sausage, and bacon.

Often milk leftovers in the home were stored in a screened "garde manger" (buffet), or in a screened box placed in center a well ventilated room suspended from the ceiling. The milk fat was skimmed from the bowl and churned into butter. Clabbered milk was often added to the popular bowl of bread or cornbread and milk sweetened and often flavored with coffee or syrup. At times the curd of the clabber was removed by draining the clabber in a thin flour sack suspended to make cottage cheese. Bread making was common using flour kept in wooden barrels and sifted to remove weevils. Tediously, rice was selected grain by grain to remove worms and weevils before cooking.

Rows in the field near the house were cultivated to grow beans, watermelon, peanuts, potatoes, and some vegetables. But it was not long before each home had its small fenced-in garden for lettuce, beets, turnips, mustard greens, tomatoes, onions, snap beans, peppers and the like. Many vegetables were preserved by drying.

The usual Sunday meal pattern when all the adults and cousins came was gumbo with rice in winter and chicken stew in warmer weather with always one piece of meat per person. The chickens were usually skinny and killed, plucked, and cleaned a few hours before the meal. A popular salad was boiled beets and potatoes seasoned with salt and vinegar. Adults ate first then the children. Often children were served together in one large pan each with a spoon and sat around it to eat. Cooking in the wood store was often replaced by the fireplace in winter. A thick crusted cornbread was cooked in a covered black cast iron pot with legs. Hot ashes and red coals were placed on the cover and under it. Sweet potatoes baked covering with hot ashes were always plentiful.

Strong black coffee dripped using a sac in a grey granite coffee pot and sweetened in the pot rested on the cold wood stove or by the side of the chimney ready for those who wanted a frequent sip. For: company a small amount was served warm from a tray in usually stained cups.

Many good dishes were served that had no meat. The granddaughters remember the meatless Fridays and in Lent for Catholics:

Soup Maigre is a meatless soup with leeks, cabbage leaves, greens, perhaps few peas, beans, potatoes, tomatoes (sometimes) and a handful of rice.

Potato stew was thick and dark, varied by adding boiled eggs or salmon.

Gumbo d'herbe was made of several greens as mustard, beet tops, and parsley; boiled, and then chopped fine with liquid thickened with flour and served over rice.

Riz a la Graisse was cooked rice browned in a small amount of fat.

Tomato Sauce was sweetened and served with omelet or boiled eggs.

Added later were the "Crème a la glace" suppers. Ice cream frozen in the crank freezer covered with burlap and with a person sitting on top of the freezer. It was served in milk (or cereal) bowls and eaten to our hearts content as a meal. Pop corn balls (with cane syrup) were popular during night visiting.

All food served was usually eaten. Everyone worked or played hard enough to get a good appetite. One had no choice - eat the things served or go hungry.

The sweet best remembered is the praline aux beigne (sesame) made with syrup and poured and served in greased corn shucks.

Aurore lived a long healthy life without the care of a doctor. Perhaps it was her yearly tonic containing that "rust" powder to make it rich in iron that kept her blood strong. She died peacefully in here eighties of old age.

[1] Coal oil is a specific oil shale oil used for illuminating purposes. It is sometimes confused with kerosene or lamp oil, but coal oil is obtained from the destructive distillation of cannel coal, mineral wax, and bituminous shale, and hence called coal oil.  (Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_oil, November 8, 2009).

The Miracle of Pont Main visits Chataignier
By John C. Fontenot

Forward
     There are few communities in south Louisiana of less significance than Chataignier. The community was originally formed about a mile further east of what is indicated upon the maps of to-day, having established mainly in irregular Sections 33 and 51 of Township 5 South, Range 2 East of the Louisiana Meridian. When the railroad from Alexandria to Eunice, Louisiana was laid in the year 1906 Chataignier moved to the railroad stop while the original community became known as Upper Chataignier. The new railroad did not change the financial outlook for the community; it was destined to remain a town without a future, and each succeeding generation found it prudent to move elsewhere for a livelihood.
     However, before the advent of the railroad, certain parties did their best to benefit the area. A small school was built; land was donated for a Catholic Church. A few wealthy families moved in the area, and gave rise to a two-tiered class society. Inter-marriage between these classes was frowned upon.
From its formation before the year 1800 until the advent of the cotton combine, and solidification of the welfare system, the main revenue crop was cotton. The growing of cotton ceased in the mid-nineteen hundred fifties to be replaced by rice and soybeans.
     Regardless of its insignificance Chataignier, Louisiana was the site of a most rare occasion, and some of its residents were shown appreciation and recognition in a most unusual manner, i.e., by portraying an abbreviated version of the Miracle that occurred in Pont Main in France in the year 1871.

THE REWARD OF INNOCENCE
     On January 7, 1871 a starry winter evening confronted Martel Miller, aged 11 years, when his father, Antoine Miller, sent him to look for a strayed heifer in the pasture lying westward of the ancestral home of Jean Pierre Lafleur. The latter inheriting from his own father what was then a magnificent fortune, moved to Chataignier, Louisiana in 1854 with wife, Felonise Auguste Fontenot, his sons, daughters, and several slaves. Jean Pierre Lafleur with the labor of his slaves built a two (2) storied triple double veranda home. The first floor of homemade brick, the top story of cypress.
     As the Civil War progressed in adversity for the Confederates Jean Pierre Lafleur was moved to donate his gold reserves in exchange for Confederate scrip. The loss of the Civil War resulted in the lost of his large plantation to Antoine Miller by the year 1868.
     Until the early eighteen hundred and eighties in the area Chataignier was the gateway to the wild west as pioneering had not yet spread out further westward than a day's travel by ox cart from the ancient Spanish Fort at Opelousas, Louisiana.
     Thus it was that Martel Miller, exiting from the immense plantation home now owned by his father, clothed in homespun cotton garments, and bare-footed, sought to carry out his errand on that night. He had but recently taken instructions for his first communion, and as he walked by the old slave quarters situated north of the main house reciting his Hail Marys, glanced skyward occasionally for the chance sighting of a falling star suddenly beheld an amazing phenomenon; the stars in the eastern skies were leaving their appointed place and began forming words. The unusual sight lasted several minutes, and awakening to the singular event forgot about his errand, and rushed to tell his father, and mother, Augustine Manuel, of what he was seeing. They, of course, saw nothing, and while they were aware of their son's truthfulness did not make too much of the matter.
     Years passed, Martel Miller grew to manhood six feet tall, heavy boned, and powerful. He married Melecia Bertrand recently widowed with two (2) children, Adam and Eva McCauley. Of that union Martel Miller begot two (2) children, Martin and Martha Miller. Martin died at the age of fifteen (15) of internal injuries being thrown off wild horses. Martha Miller died at the age of fifty-five (55) in 1938 on December 20th.
     In the years since my infancy the above unusual sighting of travelling stars forming words across the eastern sky was often mentioned by my grandfather, Martel Miller. In his old age reminiscing with a playmate he had not seen since they were children they both became aware that, unknown to each other, they had both witnessed the same sight.
     As a hundred (100) years elapsed of the unusual happening I grew to manhood, and as I approached old age came into possession of the Catholic pamphlet entitled "What happened at Pont Main." I only then knew the significance of what my grandfather had been privileged to witness as had his playmate; an abbreviated version of the vision shown to the Barbedette children at Pont Main.
     As for said Barbedette children only the young and innocent were allowed the special privilege. Doubtless other innocents have witnessed the same phenomenon around the world, and the telling of it has remained legend amongst the families affected. I have been privileged to ascertain the meaning of the event, and I regret that my grandfather died without ever knowing of the larger event, and its connection with his viewing.
     My grandfather and his playmate must have qualified in a most singular manner to merit the partial vision. As a beloved grandson intimately associated with him from my earliest memories to his death in the mid-forties I can vouch for his moral integrity, his concern for doing what was right. His indignation at what was wrong. He was always a peacemaker, a helping hand where needed, and I can understand why the Holy Mother graced him with the partial vision.