Vance Gabriel Plauché (August 25, 1897 – April 2, 1976) was an American attorney and politician from Louisiana. A Democrat, he served for a single term in the 77th Congress, from 1941 to 1943.
Early life
Plauché was born in Plaucheville, Louisiana on August 25, 1897.[1] He attended private and public schools in Avoyelles Parish and, in 1914, received a Bachelor of Science degree from New Orleans's St. Francis Xavier Commercial College, where he received awards for excellence in typing and final examinations.[2]
In 1918, he received his Bachelor of Laws degree from Loyola University in New Orleans, where he served as class president.[1][3] He was admitted to the bar in 1918, and practiced in Lake Charles.[1]
Start of career
During World War I, Plauché served in the United States Army.[1] Inducted into the service at Camp Beauregard, Louisiana, he was a member of Loyola University's hospital unit, which subsequently served in Vicenza, Italy as Base Hospital 102.[1] He attained the rank of private first class before being discharged at Camp Shelby, Mississippi in 1919.[1]
Plauché was city attorney of Lake Charles from 1928 to 1932, and district counsel for the Home Owners' Loan Corporation from 1933 to 1935.[1] In late 1939 and early 1940, he managed the successful gubernatorial campaign of Sam H. Jones.[4] In 1940, he served as secretary of the State Civil Service commission, and was a delegate to the Democratic state convention.[1][5]
U.S. House of Representatives
In 1940, Plauché was the successful Democratic nominee for a seat in the United States House of Representatives.[1] He served in the 77th Congress, January 3, 1941 to January 3, 1943.[5]
During his House service, he was a member of the Committee on Irrigation and Reclamation, Committee on Invalid Pensions, and Committee on Patents.[6] He was not a candidate for reelection in 1942, and resumed the practice of law.[5]
Later life
In addition to practicing law, Plauché was a director of Calcassieu Savings & Loan and the Plauché Engineering company.[3] His civic, fraternal, and professional memberships included the American Legion, Kiwanis, chamber of commerce, Sierra Club, his local, county, state bar associations, and the American Bar Association.[3]
Death and burial
Plauché died in Lake Charles on April 2, 1976.[3] He was buried at Consolata Cemetery in Lake Charles.[7]
Awards
In recognition of his services to the Catholic church, Pope John XXIII awarded Plauché the Order of St. Gregory the Great (Knight).[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Joint Committee On Printing, United States Congress (1941). Official Congressional Directory. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 43 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Twelfth Annual Commencement of St. Francis Xavier Commercial College". Weekly Town Talk. Alexandria, LA. July 5, 1913. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e "Obituary, Vance Plauché". The Banner-Democrat. Lake Providence, LA. April 8, 1976. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Vance Plauche Is Democratic Congressman". Clarion-News. Opelousas, LA. July 25, 1940. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c Joint Committee On Printing, United States Congress (1950). Biographical Directory of the American Congress, 1774-1949. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 1687 – via Google Books.
- ^ U.S. House of Representatives (January 22, 1941). Journal of the House of Representatives of the United States, Volume 77, Issue 1. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 84 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Plauché, Vance Gabriel (1897-1976)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
