Paul Pitre

1863 Opelousas, Louisiana – 1930 Washington, LA

 

 

Continuation of tree (7th child of Francois Pitre/Felicia Adelaide Pitre); all known surname descendants:

              7      Paul Pitre  b: 14 February 1863  Opelousas, St. Landry, LA; d: 11 January 1930  Washington, St. Landry, LA

                              + Roberta Lee Schmidt  b: 19 January 1867  St. Landry, LA; m: 11 February 1889  Washington, St. Landry, LA [John Baptiste/Ophelia Hargrove]; d: 5 May 1912  Washington, St. Landry, LA

                         8       Martin Durke Pitre  b: 24 April 1890  Washington, St. Landry, LA; d: 14 June 1890  Washington, St. Landry, LA

                         8       Ophelia Cora Pitre  b: 5 July 1891  Washington, St. Landry, LA; d: 7 October 1968  Opelousas, St. Landry, LA

                                     + Leo L. Lafleur  b: 25 August 1897; m: 18 June 1924  Washington, St. Landry, LA [Armand/Mamie Fontenot]; d: 15 April 1990  Alexandria, Rapides, LA

                         8       John Baptiste Francis Pitre  b: 7 December 1893  Washington, St. Landry, LA; d: 26 September 1958  Sour Lake, Hardin, TX

                                     +Estelle Leleaux  b: 8 February 1906  Jennings, Jefferson Davis, LA; m: Abt. 1924; d: 19 January 1998  Sour Lake, Hardin, TX

                         8       Mathilda Anna Pitre  b: 8 January 1896  Washington, St. Landry, LA; d: Bef. 1900  Washington, St. Landry, LA

                         8       Mary Elvie Pitre  b: 4 April 1897  Washington, St. Landry, LA; d: 4 June 1981  Opelousas, St. Landry, LA

                         8       Sosthenes Pitre  b: 21 May 1898  Washington, St. Landry, LA; d: 21 May 1899  Washington, St. Landry, LA

                         8       Mathurin Vernon Hargrove Pitre  b: 22 March 1903  Washington, St. Landry, LA; d: 28 January 1961  Washington, St. Landry, LA

                                    +Emma Jean Fontenot  b: 12 December 1907  Opelousas, St. Landry, LA; m: 1 October 1926  Opelousas, St. Landry, LA [Theodule Joseph Baptiste/Anna May Pefferkorn]; d: 4 December 2005  Baton Rouge, E. Baton Rouge, LA

  

 

Notes for Paul Pitre:

Census

- 1900 St. Landry, Louisiana:  Paul Pitre 37 (blacksmith), wife of 11 years Robertha 33 (3 of 7 children still living), Ophelia C. 8, John B. F. 5, Mary E. 3; brother-in-law John B. Schmidt 25 (wheelwright).

- 1910 St. Landry, LA:  Paul Pitre 48 (blacksmith), wife of 20 years Roberta 43 (4 of 9 children still living), Ophelia 18, John B. 15, Marie E. 13, Matureon V. 7.

- 1920 St. Landry, LA:  Widower Paul Pitre 56 (railroad pumper), Ophelia 28, Elvie 22 (public school teacher), Matt 16.

 

Obituary:  Clarion News (Opelousas, LA), Thursday, 16 January 1930:  Paul Pitre Dies at Washington; Brother very ill - Alderman received every vote cast in recent election - Paul Pitre, 67, lifelong citizen of Washington, died early Saturday morning after a short illness.  Funeral services were held at the Washington Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and interment followed in Cedar Hill Cemetery.  Felicien Pitre, brother of the deceased was reported desperately ill at his home Tuesday.  It is reported that there is little hope for his recovery.  Paul Pitre was one of the most beloved and popular men of Washington, where he had been active in civic, fraternal and municipal affairs all of his life.  In the recent municipal election he established what is probably a record throughout the state when he received every vote cast, there not being a ballot against him.  Familiar to citizens throughout the parish, Mr. Pitre was known for his justness in all matters.  For years he was a valued employee of the Southern Pacific Railroad, having charge of their pumping system there.  Mr. Pitre was a charter member of Live Oak Camp No. 428, W. O. W., and Sacred Heart Council No. 1988 Knights of Columbus.  Both organizations were present at the funeral services.  He is survived by four children, Mrs. Leo Lafleur, Opelousas, John Pitre, Sour Lake, Texas, V. H. Pitre, Opelousas and Miss Elvie Pitre, Washington, and numerous other relatives.
 

Tombstone inscription, Cedar Hill Cemetery, Washington, LA:  R.L. Schmit / wife of / Paul Pitre / born / Jan. 19, 1867 / died / May 5, 1912 / at rest  //  Paul / Pitre / Feb. 14, 1863 / Jan. 11, 1930

 

Notes for Roberta Lee Schmidt:

Obituary:  Times Democrat (New Orleans), Tuesday, 7 May 1912:  Washington, La., May 6 - Mrs. Bertha Pitre, wife of Paul Pitre, after a lingering illness, died at the family residence yesterday at 10 a.m., aged forty-four years.  Besides a large circle of relatives and friends she leaves a husband, four children, an aged mother, Mrs. J.B. Schmit; a sister, Mrs. G.R. Baillis, and two brothers, M.A. Schmit and J.B. Schmit.

 

Obituaries for the children:

John Baptiste Francis Pitre:  Beaumont Journal (TX), Friday, 26 September 1958:  John B. Pitre, 63, of Sour Lake, was found dead in his bed early Friday morning.  A physician said he had died of natural causes.  Mr. Pitre was a native of Washington, La., and had lived in Sour Lake for 29 years.  He was an engineer for the Gulf Oil Co.  Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Estelle Pitre of Sour Lake; two daughters, Mrs. A.J. Bazan and Miss Sue Pitre, both of Sour Lake; one brother, Matt Pitre, Sour Lake; two sisters, Mrs. Leo LaFleur and Miss Elvie Pitre, both of Opelousas, La., and three grandchildren.  Funeral arrangements will be announced by the Broussard Mortuary.

 

Ophelia Cora Pitre:  Daily World (Opelousas, LA), Tuesday, 8 October 1968:  (photo) Rites Slated Wednesday for Mrs. Lafleur - Mrs. Leo L. Lafleur, 77, of 145 S. Liberty St., one of the city's most prominent women, died at 10:20 p.m. Monday at the family home.  She had been in ill health for four years.  Her body is at Lafond and Son Funeral Home, where the rosary will be recited at 7 tonight.  Funeral services will be held at a mass at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Landry Catholic Church.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.  Mrs. Lafleur is survived by her husband, Leo Lafleur, and one sister, Miss Elvie Pitre, both of Opelousas.  The former Ophelia Cora Pitre, she was born July 5, 1891, in Washington.  She was the daughter of the late Paul and Roberta L. Schmit Pitre.  Mrs. Lafleur was an ardent civic worker.  She held membership in the Daughters of American Revolution, Firemen's Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary 45, St. Landry Catholic Church Altar Society, Women of Woodcraft and the Dixie Dabbers Ceramic Club.  While she was faithful to all the organizations with which she was affiliated, probably her greatest civic contribution came through her work with the Legion Auxiliary and the Dixie Dabbers.  Mrs. Lafleur had served the American Legion Auxiliary in many official capacities and for years she had been the auxiliary's Poppy Day chairman.  Only recently she was honored by the Seventh District American Legion Auxiliary when she was chosen as the recipient of the award given to the outstanding member of a local unit.  She directed the ceramic show sponsored by the Dixie Dabbers each year.  She taught ceramics and her home was filled with pieces she created.  Mrs. Lafleur's most prized possession to herself and to her friends was her 'little black book' in which she had listed the birthdays and anniversaries of hundreds of persons.  To those she sent greetings cards for each occasion.

Tombstone Inscription, St. Landry Cemetery, Opelousas:  Ophelia P. / Lafleur / Biss / July 5, 1891 - Oct. 7, 1968 / Leo Ren / Leo L. Lafleur / 1st Sgt US Army / World War I / Aug. 25, 1897 - Apr. 15, 1990

 

Mary Elvie Pitre:  Daily World (Opelousas, LA), Friday, 5 June 1981:  Last rites will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday in St. Landry Catholic Church of Opelousas for Miss Elvie Pitre, 84, of Opelousas, who died at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Opelousas General Hospital.  She was a retired department store clerk.  Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Washington and directed by Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home on the old Sunset Highway in Opelousas.  A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today in the funeral home.  Survivors include one sister-in-law, Mrs. Jean Pitre of Opelousas; three nieces, Mrs. A. J. (Anna Marie) Bazar of Sour Lake, Tex., Mrs. Ray (Faith) Smith of Baton Rouge and Mrs. Henry (Beverly) Gill of Sunset; and several great nephews and nieces.  She was a member of the American Legion Post 45 Ladies Auxiliary.

Tombstone Inscription, Cedar Hill Cemetery, Washington:  Marie Elvie / Pitre / April 4, 1897 - June 4, 1981

 

Matthew Vernon Hargrove Pitre:  Daily World (Opelousas), Sunday, 29 January 1961:  (photo included) Matthew V. (Matt) Pitre died suddenly of a heart attack at 1:35 a.m. Saturday at his home, 333 N. Market.  He was 57.  He was employed in the Daily World circulation department, as an area distributor.  He also was part-time clerk at Yambilee Courts.  Mr. Pitre was, his wife said, well Friday.  He worked as usual.  Friday night he watched television late, until after midnight.  Then, while shaving, about 1 a.m. Saturday, he was stricken with chest pains.  Death was attributed by an attending physician to coronary thrombosis.  Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. today at St. Landry Catholic Church.  Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery at Washington.  The body will be at First National Funeral Home until time of service.  Mr. Pitre was born March 22, 1903, at Whiteville.  He resided most of his boyhood and early life at Washington.  He is survived by his wife, the former Jean Fontenot; two daughters, Mrs. William Fairley and Carolyn Faith Pitre, both of Opelousas; two sisters, Mrs. Leo Lafleur and Miss Elvie Pitre, both of Opelousas, and five grandchildren.  Pallbearers will be J.Y. Fontenot, Jules Pitre, Leo Pitre, Walter Baillio, Charles Carson and Renaud Carson.

Tombstone Inscription, Cedar Hill Cemetery, Washington:  Matthew Vernon Hargrove / Pitre / March 22 1903 - Jan. 28, 1961

 

Online photo - Paul Pitre:  http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/3551979/person/-1720176396/media/638e5847-47b8-499f-bd2c-9317ea9eb288?pg=32768&pgpl=pid

Online photo - Roberta Lee Schmidt & her mother:  http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/3551979/person/-1720174257/media/c20d61af-7cbe-4c34-a60f-07effb56b0a1?pg=32768&pgpl=pid

Online photo - Ophelia Cora Pitre:  http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/3551979/person/-1696710662/media/2?pgnum=1&pg=0&pgpl=pid%7cpgNum

Online photo of John Baptiste Francis Pitre:  http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/3551979/person/157571017/media/c908ca43-d971-4c7a-abbc-f6e99886b3f6?pg=32768&pgpl=pid

Online photo of Mary Elvie Pitre:  http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/3551979/person/-1696709984/media/1?pgnum=1&pg=0&pgpl=pid%7cpgNum

Online photo of Mathurin Vernon Hargrove Pitre:  http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/3551979/person/-1720227730/media/1?pgnum=1&pg=0&pgpl=pid%7cpgNum

Online photo of the 4 children:  http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/3551979/person/-1696710662/media/1?pgnum=1&pg=0&pgpl=pid%7cpgNum

 

 

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Items in RED verified from transcriptions in the following:

- Diocese of Baton Rouge Catholic Church Records

- Southwest Louisiana Records: Church and Civil Records of Parishes of Acadia, Allen Beauregard, Cameron, Calcasieu, Evangeline, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, St Landry, St Martin, St Mary and Vermillion.

- Some Louisiana deaths in RED taken from obituaries or the Louisiana Deaths collection (which includes spouses/parents).

 

Last updated:  22 December 2020.