Moise LaBorde was a resident of Mansura, in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana.  He was descendent of Jean LaBorde, I. (born 1683) of  Tartas, France via Jean LaBorde, II., Dr. Pierre LaBorde, I., M. D., Antoine LaBorde, and Paulin LaBorde.

Dr. Pierre LaBorde, I. was born 1746 in Tartas, France and died 1825 in Avoyelles Parish, LA.  He moved from Opelousas, LA to become the first surgeon general of Point Coupee Post in Avoyelles Parish where he served as Coroner and was a livestock producer.  Dr. LaBorde married a bride 15 years of age named Modeste Lacour and they produced seven children who became their contribution to the settlement of America..

The descendants of Moise LaBorde have lived in the Mansura area of Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana and participated in the development of this wilderness into a prosperous farming community. He married Marie Louise St. Romain and born to them were six boys and two girls between 1871 and 1893. The children were Paul, Adelice, Isma, Attanias, Arnaud Paul, Telisma Moise, Felix Leo, and Gilbert.  An adopted daughter was named Clara LaBorde.

We are not certain of his occupation; but, it probably included farming and possibly rearing of livestock, such as cattle and hogs, in Old River Swamp. It is likely that he participated in hunting, fishing, and trapping of the abundant wildlife in nearby forests. He could also have been proficient in trades such as carpentry, masonry, and other crafts.

One may assume that he was a Catholic and would have been a participant in the activities of the Parish church in the Marksville and Mansura areas. This has been the predominate religious preference of this family through the years. The family has always actively supported the Catholic church in this community.

Mansura, Louisiana was named after Mansura, Egypt. According to legend, some of the French explorers were soldiers who had served with Napoleon the Great in his Egyptian campaign. They reported that this area along the Mississippi River Valley looked very much like Mansura along the Nile River in Egypt. They also named Alexandria, Louisiana for the city of Alexandria, Egypt for the same reasons.

Mansura is located in east central Louisiana on a high plateau which overlooks Old River Swamp, an oxbow tributary of the Mississippi River. Because this area is located on the high ground, it has served as a sanctuary from the floods which occurred often until the levee system was built by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1930s. People from miles around would come here to camp out and wait for the floods to dissipate.

The soil type is loessial (deposited by wind) and alluvial (deposited by water). Geographically, Mansura is located 30 miles south of Alexandria, Louisiana. The Mississippi River is approximately 20-30 miles east. Within 30 miles to the east the Red River joins the Mississippi River and 20-30 miles southeast, the Atchafalaya River branches off from the Mississippi River and flows in a southwesterly direction to the Gulf of Mexico. Geologically this Louisiana Delta area has at times been flooded by the Red River and more recently, the Mississippi River. This has produced vast swamplands, bayous, and forests which support an abundance of wildlife. Hunting and fishing have long been favored past times as well provision of a livelihood for the residents of this area. Duck and deer hunting are local passions which cause businesses to close on opening day and at other times when the weather is best suited for these sports. Crawfish are abundant in the Spring and are considered a delicacy. The tails of these tasty crustaceans are boiled or steamed in highly seasoned water and may be peeled and eaten or cooked into excellent cuisine. Many delicious recipes are prepared, such as ettoufee, gumbo, and in numerous other ways.

The town of Mansura gained a reputation as the "Cochon deLait Capital of the World" about 1970-80 for barbecued roast pig. The local barbeque preference is "cochon a' la brouche" in which the pig is hung spread-eagle and roasted whole before an open fire. The delicious smell of this pig roasting will cause your neighbors to climb the fence to get some. Cooking a pig has always been an occasion for a good time for all involved. "Laissez le bon temps roule" or let the good times roll.

Gerald (Jerry) LaBorde reported, "My father (Clarence Ambrose LaBorde) remembers sitting on his grandfather's (Nicholas Moise LaBorde) knee.  There is a picture somewhere in the family of this.  He remembers his grandfather wearing a union (Yankee) uniform".

Note:  Moise LaBorde was born April 9, 1846.  If service in the Civil War could be documented, he would have been about age 14 when the war began.  He may have been a veteran of the U. S. Army during the Reconstruction period.  Clarence Ambrose LaBorde was born April 5, 1916.  Veterans proudly wore their uniforms on special occasions.

Judith Ann (Judy) LaBorde reported that she had acquired information from Randy DeCuir, Editor of the Marksville Weekly Newspaper, that Moise LaBorde was born April 9, 1846 and that he served in Company H, 18th Louisiana Regiment, CSA.  If so, he probably entered the war in its later stages when he would have been older.

After the Civil War, Moise LaBorde also owned a store in Mansura on Baton Rouge Avenue (Eglise Street).  This store was later operated by one of his sons, probably Arnaud Paul LaBorde who was reported to have owned a saloon at this location.  Felix Leo LaBorde was another son who was known to have operated a store in the location of the train depot in Mansura.  There was also a Moise LaBorde who was sworn in as Mayor of Manura in 1908.  This was very likely the same person; but, it could have been another son, Telisma Moise LaBorde, Sr., who would have been only 24 years of age in 1908.