LaBranche Family papers

Dr. Emile J. LaBranche Sr. opened LaBranche’s Drug Store in 1907 on Claiborne Avenue between Dumaine and St. Anne in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was a fully owned and operated African American business, which boasted both Caucasian and African American clientele. Emile Sr. was a graduate of Straight College and the Pharmacy School of Meharry Medical College. Prior to opening the store he worked for two years in New Iberia, Louisiana, and married Gertrude Blanchet. They had three children, Emile Jr., Hernandez, and a daughter. Emile Sr. served on the Board of Trustees of Dillard University and Flint-Goodridge Hospital in the early 1930s. Emile LaBranche Jr. graduated from the School of Pharmacy of Xavier University in 1939 and attained a Masters Degree in 1941 in Business Administration from Atlanta University. He served as a Medical Department Soldier Corporal in the 2nd Platoon, Co. C, 8th Training Battalion of the Medical Replacement Training Center at Camp Pickette, Virginia, and later was promoted to captain in 1945 stationed with the Medical Administrative Corps of the 93rd Division in the Southwest Pacific during World War II. He became Assistant Manager of the drugstore after the war with assistance from his sister. Lois Clara. During his time in Virginia he met and married Elfreida Ferguson of Lynchburg. Hernandez LaBranche became a medical doctor after graduating from Dillard University and Meharry Medical College, interning at Flint-Goodridge Hospital. He specialized in the care of infants and children, opening his medical practice in 1945.

The LaBranche Family papers consist of minutes, reports, and correspondence of the Board of Trustees of Dillard University, Dillard Building Committee, and Flint-Goodridge Hospital. The collection documents the establishment of Flint-Goodridge Hospital as part of Dillard University. Materials from Straight College and Straight Alumni Association are also included. Family genealogy materials, including a family tree and research, are contained in the collection. LaBranche Family photographs and portraits date from circa1900-1950s. Lastly, correspondence and certificates of Archie E. Perkins were included with this collection.