Irving E. Legendre Collection

Irving E. Legendre was born 10 October, 1906 in the St. John community in the upper part of Lafourche Parish, Louisiana. In June, 1929, he began working in the sugar industry as an engineer with Realty Operators in Houma, La., which later became Southdown Sugars. He then worked as chief engineer at the old Leighton factory in Thibodaux, La. and was placed in charge of its renovation and streamlining of its operations. He served as director and vice president of the Louisiana Sugar Exchange, Inc. He also served on the Board of Directors of Citizens Bank and Trust Co. of Thibodaux, and of the Savings Life Insurance Co in Alexandria, La. He served on the Lafourche Parish Police Jury, Louisiana State Advisory Board, State Voting Machines Board, Lafourche Parish Chapter of the American Red Cross, and the Thibodaux Rotary Club. In addition to many other organizations, Legendre also served as the Chairman of the Organization Committee of the Francis T. Nicholls College, which later became Nicholls State University.