Jacques Dupré

Jacques Dupré
8thGovernor of Louisiana
In office January 14, 1830 – January 31, 1831
Preceded by	Armand Beauvais
Succeeded by	André B. Roman
Member of theLouisiana House of Representatives
In office 1816-1824
Personal details
Born	(1773-02-12)February 12, 1773 New Orleans,Louisiana
Died	September 14, 1846(1846-09-14)(aged 73) Opelousas, Louisiana
Political party	Whig
Spouse	Théotiste Roy
Relations	Gilbert L. Dupré(great-grandson)
Military service
Branch/service	Louisiana Militia
Rank	Major
Unit	16th Regiment
Battles/wars	War of 1812

Jacques Dupré(February 12, 1773 – September 14, 1846) was a Louisiana State Representative, State Senator and theeighth Governor.

Born inNew Orleansthe eldest son of Laurent Dupré de Terrebonne (or, Dupré d'Arbonne) and Marie Joséphine Fontenot, Dupré was acreoleof full French descent that grew up inSt. Landry Parish, Louisiana.When he was ten years old, his father died and his mother remarried.

In 1791, he and his brothers received RoyalSpanishgrantsonBayou Boeuf.The next year Dupré married Théotiste Roy ofPointe Coupée Parish,inOpelousas.They raised seven children on a ranch northwest of Opelousas. Beginning in 1815, Dupré served as a Major in the 16th Regiment of the Louisiana Militia. He saw combat at theBattle of New Orleansalong with two of his sons.

First elected to theLouisiana House of Representativesin 1816, Dupré was re-elected in 1822 and 1824. In 1828, Dupré was elected to theLouisiana State Senate.In 1830, Dupré was chosen asPresident of the Senatewhen GovernorPierre Derbignydied, and Senate PresidentArmand Beauvaisassumed the duties of acting governor.

When Beauvais resigned two months later, Dupré became acting governor. He was the second acting governor within the year and there was a constitutional crisis over the lack of an elected governor. The result was that a special election was called in 1831. The dispute over who succeeds the governor in case of his death would not be solved until the office of lieutenant governor was created in a new constitution in 1845.

As governor, Dupré oversaw the incorporation of the first railroad, a canal company, a bayou improvement company, the Merchants Insurance Company of New Orleans, and a company to granulate sugar by a new process. During his administration there was also a prohibition of further immigration offree persons of colorinto the state and the expulsion of all those who entered since 1825. Also in 1830, the seat of government returned to New Orleans fromDonaldsonville.

Dupré did not run for governor in 1831 and whenAndre B. Romanwas elected, Dupré returned to the State Senate, where he served 16 more years. He served another stint asPresident of the Senateduring 1838.

On September 14, 1846, Dupré died and was buried inOpelousas, Louisiana.

Sources

• Secretary of State of Louisiana

External links

• Cemetery Memorialby La-Cemeteries