Introduction to Etienne Joseph "EJ" Caire
- Sharon Spell
- May 27
- 3 min read
My husband and I have taken a significant step in furthering our family's legacy by establishing the Caire's Landing Foundation. This initiative aims to support the restoration and preservation of the stores that are meaningful to the Caire Family legacy and impact in the parish history, ensuring that future generations can appreciate and learn from the past.
The process of researching our family history and working on the Caire's Landing Foundation has been nothing short of fascinating. It has become an amazing family project that enables multiple generations to fill in the stories of how our family developed from then to now. We have spent countless hours poring over historical documents and genealogical records, piecing together the stories of our ancestors, while joining personal details with the historical facts. As family members add what they know to what we have learned, we are fostering a renewed sense of connection and belonging, bridging generational gaps and encouraging younger family members to take an active interest in their roots.
Here is an introduction to Sharon's 2nd great-grandfather:
Etienne Joseph Caire
Significant to the Caire family and the Edgard community were Etienne Joseph "EJ" Caire and his wife Laura Hymel Caire (who we'll explore in a future blog).
Here are details of EJ's influential and storied life:
1868 – Born on September 17th
1885 – Completed Jefferson College in Convent – Returned to assume control of the Caire’s Landing store (later renamed E. J. Caire & Co.)
1889 – Married Laura Hymel (St. James Parish) on January 24th (for 52 yrs)
1904 - Founder & Member on Board of Directors of the Bank of St. John
1912 – Republican Nominee for Louisiana Secretary of State
1920 – Republican Elector in the Louisiana Electoral College Delegation
1922 – Established the Jesuit retreat program for laymen at Manresa
1928 – Republican Nominee for Governor of Louisiana
1929 – Dubbed as a Knight of St. Gregory by Pope Pius XI
1930 – Served on Federal Farm Board Sugar Cane Advisory Committee
1935 - Board of Directors of The Cane Products Trade Association of LA
1955 – Died on July 16th
Additional Life Accomplishments:
Seven decades as a successful merchant, banker, and pharmacist
Renowned sugar cane planter and manufacturer
Senior partner of the Caire and Graugnard Company
Trustee of the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Active in the Societies of St. Vincent de Paul and Holy Name
Grand Knight in the Knights of Columbus (Council 1514)
President of the Louisiana Federation of Catholic Societies (1919)
Board of Directors of the Bank of Donaldsonville (1913)
Vice-President of the Jefferson Highway West Bank Assoc. (1916)
Chairman of the St. John Parish War Savings Stamp Drive (1918)
Board of Directors of the Bank of Ascension (1921)
Board of Directors of Hibernia Bank and Trust (1921)
Board of Directors South Louisiana Fair Association (1922)
Board of Directors of Citizens Bank & Trust (1932)
Board of Directors of D. H. Holmes Company
Board of Directors of Kaufman and Company
Father of 8 children:
Etiennette "Conette" Marie (10/1/1889 – 6/20/1970)
Sidney J.B. (8/28/1891 – 6/3/1962) (Sharon's Great Grandfather)
James Joseph (7/7/1893 – 12/18/1935)
Laurence Fidele (4/24/1895 - 10/9/1920 - Bright’s disease)
Raymond (6/23/1897 – 7/17/1898)
Denis "Balo" F. (3/6/1899 – 8/9/1974 - blind age 3; seizures)
Eugénie Francoise (1/19/1910 – 12/20/1910)
Thérèse Marie (10/17/1914 – 6/2/1995) (Sister - RSCJ)
Through this journey, we are learning about the resilience and determination of our ancestors, who faced adversity with courage and conviction. Their stories are inspiring us to embrace our own challenges with the same spirit.
Keep up to date with ongoing renovations to the Caire Stores and learn how you can help by visiting www.cairestores.com and subscribing to our newsletter, as well as following us on Facebook and Instagram.
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