DE VILLENEUVE, (Dr.) A. B., Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller
USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be
reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any
other organization or persons. Persons or organizations
desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent
of the contributor, or the legal representative of the
submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with
proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied for
personal use only.
Dr. A. B. de Villeneuve, physician and surgeon, at 68 North Rampart street,
New Orleans, La., was born in this city June 17, 1846, and was thoroughly
educated in New Orleans in the Jesuit college. At the age of sixteen years
he embarked in business, carried it on until twenty-three years of age, and
then began the study of medicine. He subsequently entered the University
of Louisiana, and graduated from the medical department of that institution
in March 1572. After practicing one year he became convinced of the
virtues of the homeopathic system, studied homeopathy, and turns his
practice generally to this branch of treatment but does not discard
mechanical, chemical or physical means of the old school. In 1878, during
the terrible epidemic of yellow fever in New Orleans, Dr. de Villeneuve was
employed by the Howard association as their physician and thought then the
time was proper to show the people of the South the value of homeopathic
treatment in such a terrible disease, and with the co-operation of Dr.
Belden, the old veteran southern homeopathic physician, Captain Fisher and
Major Stephenson, both of the United States army, formed the Homeopathic
Relief association, whose successes in this terrible epidemic have been
known to the world. The "Times-Democrat" of September 13, 1879, published
the following notice in his behalf: "The talented young physician, at
present vice-president of the Homeopathic Relief association, whose name is
mentioned with so much respect in the lines given below, certainly deserves
the compliment paid him by the French minister of foreign affairs. Dr. de
Villeneuve was particularly active during the last epidemic and gave his
services freely, especially to the poor who applied to the Union Francaise
for assistance. It is in some way as a recompense for his labors in behalf
of the French population that the medal spoken of in the following letter
is conferred: 'Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Paris, August 23, 1879.--Sir
M., the Count d'Abzac, has informed me, in confirmation of the reports
which have previously been sent me by M. Bellaquet, acting consul at New
Orleans, of the devotion which you exhibited during the yellow-fever
epidemic which raged in your city last year. Desiring to recognize the
services which you have rendered under such terrible circumstances to the
French population, I have decided to confer upon you a gold medal of the
second class. This medal, which is about to be struck under the direction
of my department, shall be transmitted to you at an early date. Receive,
sir, the assurance of my high consideration. Waddington. A. B. de
Villeneuve, New Orleans, La.'" The Doctor has been the physician for the
French Opera troupe for the last fourteen years. He is correspondent
member diplomated of the French Medical Homeopathic society, of France.
Although practicing his profession he has been connected at the same time,
for many years, as a correspondent to different French, Italian and
American newspapers of note. The "City Item," of January 5, 1890, says:
"Dr. A. B. de Villeneuve, whose accomplishments as a literary, dramatic and
scientific writer have been recognized for many years, has recently assumed
the managing editorship of that excellent paper, 'L'Orleanais.' " He
has
also contributed to several medical journals of this country and has
translated Dr. Holcombe's pamphlet, "What is Homeopathy," into French. The
following is taken from the "Louisiana Review: "Dr. A. B. de Villeneuve has
recently opened an office for the practice of his profession at 68 North
Rampart. Dr. de Villeneuve is a most skillful and experienced physician
and gives to his clients the utmost attention. Wielding also an able pen,
he has at times, been a prominent contributor to the press, among whose
members the courteous Doctor has numerous friends, who will wish him the
great success that his professional talents will surely bring him. During
the yellow-fever epidemic of 1878 he was instrumental in organizing a
society of homeopathic practitioners, who rendered valuable service in
ministering to the sick. For this good work Dr. de Villeneuve was honored
with a testimonial by the French government."
Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, (vol. 2), pp. 432-433.
Published by the Goodspeed Publishing Company, Chicago, 1892.