Bertrand Morlas

Notes:

Bennie Zahn writes that witnesses to the registration of his birth were Pierre GORDAY, age 68, farmer and Jean SEISAN, age 69, blacksmith. Bertrand sailed from Bordeaux aboard the windjammer "Jupiter" when he was 13 years old, the journey taking over two months.

Bertrand's home and dairy were at 2220 Calhoun Street at the turn of the century, according to Simone Morlas of Marrero. "The home and business were shared by Bertrand Morlas Sr (born in France) and his nephew, John Dominic Morlas (born in New Orleans), and their families. Among them, the uncle and nephew and their spouses had 19 children. "A few years later, the uncle/nephew unit when into seperate businesses operating from the 3200 block of Calhoun called 'The Calhoun Dairy' and from the 6300 block of South Claiborne called 'La Creole Belle'. During the 1920s, there was an exodus of the large dairy farms from within the city limits," said Morlas, who added that both dairies moved to Jefferson Parish. (The New Orleans Times-Picayune, Sunday, January 9, 2000).

Bertrand married Anna Roquevert on 14 Jun 1884 in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana. Anna (daughter of Jean Louis Roquevert and Blazine Pene) was born on 14 Jun 1867 in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana; died on 1 Jun 1920 in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Bennie Zahn notes that she married George Charles ATKINS, born on the Isle of Jersey to William J. ATKINS and Livinia THOMAS. He trained as a cabinentmaker in Europe, and worked in that profession for The Pullman Company. He studied batteries and electricity at Tulane, and eventually owned the A & G Battery company. They had one son, George Bertrand ATKINS.

Augustine married Jacob Joseph Hess on 30 Jul 1913 in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana. Jacob was born on 9 Mar 1886 in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana; died on 18 Oct 1955 in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Bennie Zahn writes that she married Joseph PALMISANO, Jr., who was in the Ice/Coal/Produce business. He and Marie also raised and sold roses. Later in his life, he was in the construction business. They had one daughter.

Notes:

He married Eugenie Josephine DE JEAN, and was the owner of Calhoun Dairy. They had three children.

Family/Spouse: Eugenie De Jean. Eugenie was born on 30 Aug 1902; died on 25 Jun 1994 in Marrero, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana; was buried in Metairie Cemetery (Lake Lawn Metairie), New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Bennie Zahn notes that he married Caroline Lillian DE JEAN, the sister of his brother Victor's wife. Bertrand and Victor were both owners of the Calhoun Dairy. Bertrand and Caroline had four children.

Notes:

Anna-Rose Hess Smedberg passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, May 19, 2011 at the age of 95. She is survived by her loving daughter, Marianna Alexander; grandchildren, Tara Alexander of Houston, Tex., Carl Alexander Jr., and Eric Alexander (Cassey); sister, Mari Wertin; and sister-in-law, Mary Hess. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents: Augustine Morlas Hess and Jacob Hess, Sr.; brother Jacob Hess Jr.; sister Ladonia Rivers; husband Arthur Smedberg; and son-in-law, Carl Joseph Alexander, Sr.

A lifelong resident and lover of New Orleans, Anna-Rose was a devout Catholic and active volunteer. She was a member of the former St. Matthias Church where she served on the Altar Society; of St. Theresa of Avila as a part time administrative assistant; of the former Our Lady of Good Counsel Church; and most recently of St. Mary's Assumption Church. Anna Rose also volunteered many hours with the Propagation of the Faith providing administrative support. She was a member of the St. Lucy's society and of St. Theresa of the Little Flower. Anna Rose was awarded the Archdiocese's highest honor, the St. Louis Medallion, for her love of the church and service to others.

Anna Rose graduated from Allen High School and Eleanor McMain High School. She was a retired administrative secretary to the Director of the U. S. Customs House and a member of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association where she also served as secretary. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Family, friends, former parishioners of St. Matthias and Our Lady of Good Counsel and parishioners of St. Theresa Avila and St. Mary's Assumption are invited to a Memorial Mass on Monday, May 23, 2011 at the former Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 1307 Louisiana Avenue. Visitation is from 10:00 am - 12:00 noon with Mass at 12:00 noon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made either to the Propagation of the Fairth or the American Cancer Society.

(Courtesy of Bennie Zahn, transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, June 2011)

Anna-Rose married Arthur G. Smedberg on 4 Apr 1944 in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana. Arthur was born on 4 May 1912 in Hammond, Lake County, Indiana; died on 18 May 1999 in Gulfport, Harrison County, Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He is buried in the Westlawn Memorial Park in Gretna, LA.

Family/Spouse: Edward Ames Rivers. Edward was born on 5 Feb 1915; died on 28 Feb 1997 in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana; was buried in Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]