Charles J. Villere

Background

Charles was born in 1830 in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, United States. He was the son of the large slaveholder Jules Villere and his wife Marie.

Education

Villere was educated at St. Mary's College (now St. Mary's Seminary and University), Baltimore, studied law in New Orleans.

Career

Before the war, Charles Villere was a lawyer, planter, and secessionist Democrat in Pointe a la Hache, Plaquemines Parish. He served from 1854 to 1858 in the state legislature. When the Civil War began, he volunteered for service in the Confederate Army and was appointed an aide to General Beauregard.

He also served in the first and second Confederate House of Representatives, where he was a member of the Claims, Military Affairs, and Commerce Committees during his first term and of the Impressments and Military Affairs Committees during his second. He was Beauregard’s spokesman in the House.

After the war, Charles was a Louisiana sugar planter.

Achievements

• Charles Villere is known for his political and military service. He was an active, important member of the Confederate House of Representatives.

Politics

Charles was hostile to the Davis administration and was part of the anti-Bragg bloc.

Connections

Charles was married and had one daughter.

Father:

Jules Villere

Mother:

Marie Villere

colleague:

Pierre Gustave Toutant-Beauregard

References

• Biographical Dictionary of the Confederacy
  1977