villars

LOUIS J. VILLARS, M.D.

Louis J. Villars, M. D. and druggist of Fredericktown, Mo., is a native of Bonne Terre, St. Francois Co., Mo., born in 1825. He is the son of Joseph D. and Eleanor (St. Gemme) Villars. The father was born in New Orleans in 1786, and his father, Claud Joseph Villars, was a native of France and an officer in the French army. He immigrated to America, locating at New Orleans, and here passed the remainder of his days. Joseph D. moved with his mother to Ste. Genevieve, Mo., in his youth, and here was married. His mother was Mary Louise Valle, who was a sister of John Baptiste and Francis Valle, who with John Baptiste Pratte and John Baptiste St. Gemme, were the original owners of Mine La Motte, in Madison County. John Baptiste Valle was afterward the owner of Valle Mines, in St. Francois County, and Valle Township, Jefferson Co., was named in his honor. Joseph D. Villars was the first agent of Mine La Motte. In 1820 he settled where Bonne Terre now stands, and was one-half owner of the lead mines at that place, which were being worked on a small scale. About 1827 Mr. Villars returned to Ste. Genevieve, and about 1832 was appointed agent and superintendent of Mine La Motte. He moved his family there and was foreman for many years. He purchased eighty acres near Fredericktown, where he passed his last days. He was very successful, owning large tracts of land in various parts of this State. He died in 1865. His wife, and the mother of Louis J., was born in Ste. Genevieve, Mo., in 1794, and died in 1867. She was the daughter of John Baptiste St. Gemme, who was of French descent, a man of wealth and early settler of the oldest town in Missouri - Ste. Genevieve. Mrs. Villars became the mother of two children: Dr. L. J. and Caroline (widow of Samuel C. Collier, who was an attorney, and who died in 1873). Dr. L. J. Villars received his literary education in the common schools and at St. Mary's College. At about the age of eighteen be began the study of medicine, and in 1849 graduated as an M.D. at the St. Louis Medical College. In the spring of 1850 he went overland to the pacific coast to seek gold, it taking him six months to make the trip. He worked in the mines until about 1853, when he returned to his birthplace. He located at Pilot Knob and entered upon the practice of hi profession. In January, 1855, he removed to Fredericktown, where he has, without interruption, continued his practice up to the present, a period of about thirty-eight years. In July, 1854, Dr. Villars married Miss Julia Gregory, a native of Fredericktown, born in 1836, and the daughter of Felix G. Gregory. To this marriage were born two children: Augustas D. and Louis F. In 1869 Dr. Villars established a drugstore in connection with his practice, which he has carried on ever since. The same year he had the misfortune to lose his wife. In June, 1873, he married Miss Bell Gregory, sister of his first wife, and one child has blessed this union, named Claud Joseph. The Doctor is a member of the Southeast Missouri Medical Association, and is a member of the Masonic lodge. He is a K. of H., a Democrat in politics, and his wife is a member of the Catholic Church.