Changes

|religion=[[Roman Catholic]]​

|religion=[[Roman Catholic]]​

|party=[[Democratic Party|Democrat]]​}}

|party=[[Democratic Party|Democrat]]​}}

 

'''Alvan Henry Lafargue, Sr.''', [[M.D.]] (October 14, 1883 &ndash; February 11, 1963), was a [[Louisiana]] [[physician]] for fifty years and a [[politician]] and civic leader. He was one of the early settlers and the [[mayor]] from 1926 to 1938 of Sulphur west of [[Lake Charles]] in Calcasieu Parish in the southwestern portion of his state.<ref name=lahist/>​

'''Alvan Henry Lafargue, Sr.''', [[M.D.]] (October 14, 1883 &ndash; February 11, 1963), was a [[Louisiana]] [[physician]] for fifty years and a [[politician]] and civic leader. He was one of the early settlers and the [[mayor]] from 1926 to 1938 of Sulphur west of [[Lake Charles]] in Calcasieu Parish in the southwestern portion of his state.<ref name=lahist/>​

<blockquote>

<blockquote>

'''"Fifty years of being a doctor adds up to lots of buggy trips on cold nights and hot days, long hours of waiting for babies to be born, tears, laughter, and a heap of satisfaction."''' - Dr. Lafargue​</blockquote>

'''"Fifty years of being a doctor adds up to lots of buggy trips on cold nights and hot days, long hours of waiting for babies to be born, tears, laughter, and a heap of satisfaction."''' - Dr. Lafargue​</blockquote>

==Background==

==Background==

Considered an excellent orator, Adolphe Lafargue was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 1896. In 1899, [[Governor]] Murphy James Foster (1849-1921), named Lafargue to fill an unexpired term as [[judge]] of the state 10th Judicial District. In 1912, he was elected judge of the 14th District, a position that he held until shortly before his death.<ref name=archives/>​

Considered an excellent orator, Adolphe Lafargue was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 1896. In 1899, [[Governor]] Murphy James Foster (1849-1921), named Lafargue to fill an unexpired term as [[judge]] of the state 10th Judicial District. In 1912, he was elected judge of the 14th District, a position that he held until shortly before his death.<ref name=archives/>​

 

===Education===

===Education===

===Other family members===

===Other family members===

 

Lafargue's grandfather, Pierre-Adolphe Lafargue (1818-1869), was an educator who served as the school superintendent for Avoyelles Parish and founded Marksville High School. He was also a  mayor of Marksville. He started the newspaper then named ''The Pelican'' and later ''The Marksville Villager.''

Lafargue's grandfather, Pierre-Adolphe Lafargue (1818-1869), was an educator who served as the school superintendent for Avoyelles Parish and founded Marksville High School. He was also a  mayor of Marksville. He started the newspaper then named ''The Pelican'' and later ''The Marksville Villager.''

Lafargue's father, Judge Lafargue, continued to publish the newspaper as the ''Marksville Weekly News.''<ref name=doctors>{{cite web|url=http://library.mcneese.edu/depts/archive/FTBooks/reid%20doctors.htm|title=Early Calcasieu Doctors|publisher=McNeese State University|accessdate=December 10, 2019}}</ref>​

Lafargue's father, Judge Lafargue, continued to publish the newspaper as the ''Marksville Weekly News.''<ref name=doctors>{{cite web|url=http://library.mcneese.edu/depts/archive/FTBooks/reid%20doctors.htm|title=Early Calcasieu Doctors|publisher=McNeese State University|accessdate=December 10, 2019}}</ref>​

 

Lafargue's brother, Walter Strong Lafargue (1879-1951) of Thibodaux,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Lafargue&GSfn=Walter&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=91541057&df=all&|title=Walter Strong Lafargue|publisher=findagrave.com|accessdate=December 10, 2019}}</ref> was first the assistant principal of Thibodaux College and thereafter the long-term superintendent of schools in Lafourche Parish.<ref>[[Henry E. Chambers]], ''History of Louisiana,'' Vol. 1 (1925), pp 388-389.</ref>​

Lafargue's brother, Walter Strong Lafargue (1879-1951) of Thibodaux,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Lafargue&GSfn=Walter&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=91541057&df=all&|title=Walter Strong Lafargue|publisher=findagrave.com|accessdate=December 10, 2019}}</ref> was first the assistant principal of Thibodaux College and thereafter the long-term superintendent of schools in Lafourche Parish.<ref>[[Henry E. Chambers]], ''History of Louisiana,'' Vol. 1 (1925), pp 388-389.</ref>​

==Political and civic matters==

==Political and civic matters==

 

An active [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], Lafargue was the mayor of Sulphur from 1926 to 1938, only the second mayor to be elected to a four-year term, first in 1926, then 1930 and 1934.<ref>Confirmed by the mayor's office in Sulphur, [[Louisiana]]; ''A Dictionary of Louisiana History'' has his dates of mayoral service as 1926 to 1932, instead of ending in 1938.</ref> during which time he initiated many municipal improvements. The town was in debt, and he made so many visits to a bank in Lake Charles that some said with humor that the people there thought he worked at the bank. In time, Sulphur was put in the financial black.<ref name=doctors/> He also served on the Louisiana Democratic State Central Committee.<ref name=archives/>​

An active [[Democratic Party|Democrat]], Lafargue was the mayor of Sulphur from 1926 to 1938, only the second mayor to be elected to a four-year term, first in 1926, then 1930 and 1934.<ref>Confirmed by the mayor's office in Sulphur, [[Louisiana]]; ''A Dictionary of Louisiana History'' has his dates of mayoral service as 1926 to 1932, instead of ending in 1938.</ref> during which time he initiated many municipal improvements. The town was in debt, and he made so many visits to a bank in Lake Charles that some said with humor that the people there thought he worked at the bank. In time, Sulphur was put in the financial black.<ref name=doctors/> He also served on the Louisiana Democratic State Central Committee.<ref name=archives/>​

The Dr. Alvan Lafargue House at 210 West Lincoln in Sulphur (built 1918) is among the sties of the Sulphur Historic Area Tour. The Lafargue House was also included in the ''Historic Calcasieu Parish Guide, 2013.''<ref>{{cite web|url= http://issuu.com/lakecharlescvb/docs/cvb_historic_brochure_june19|title=Historic Calcasieu Parish Guide|date=2013|publisher=Lake Charles Conventions and Visitors Bureau|accessdate=February 15, 2015; material no longer on-line}}</ref>​

The Dr. Alvan Lafargue House at 210 West Lincoln in Sulphur (built 1918) is among the sties of the Sulphur Historic Area Tour. The Lafargue House was also included in the ''Historic Calcasieu Parish Guide, 2013.''<ref>{{cite web|url= http://issuu.com/lakecharlescvb/docs/cvb_historic_brochure_june19|title=Historic Calcasieu Parish Guide|date=2013|publisher=Lake Charles Conventions and Visitors Bureau|accessdate=February 15, 2015; material no longer on-line}}</ref>​

 

==See also==

==See also==

*[[M. V. Hargrove]], physican-politician from Allen Parish

*[[M. V. Hargrove]], physican-politician from Allen Parish

==References==

==References==

{{reflist}}

{{reflist}}

 

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lafargue, Alvan}}​

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lafargue, Alvan}}​

[[Category:Louisiana People]]​

[[Category:Louisiana People]]​