Joseph R. & Louis DeLassus, druggists of Perryville, Mo., are natives of the county, born in 1858 and 1862, respectively. They are sons of Joseph L. and M. Josephine (Stewart) DeLassus, of French and Scotch lineage, respectively.

Joseph L. DeLassus was born in Ste. Genevieve County, Mo. in 1834 and was a son of Ceran E. DeLassus. The former grew to manhood in Southeast Missouri, and established himself at Bailey's Landing, now Grand Eddy on the Mississippi River in Perry County, Mo., and engaged in merchandising. A few years later his brother, Leon, became a partner and they established a general store at Eureka, Perry County, Leon managing the business at the latter place and Joseph L. remaining at Bailey's Landing.

Joseph L.'s wife was born in Cape Girardeau County, Mo., in 1837, and became the mother of five children, viz.: Joseph R., John F., Louis C., Felix E. and Alfred A. Joseph L. DeLassus died on August 21, 1878.

Joseph R. was educated at St. Mary's Seminary, Mo., and St. Francois College, Quincy, Ill. In 1876, he entered the drug store of Thomas Layton in Perryville and worked for three years, after which he clerked in drug stores for other parties until May 1887, when he and his brother, as equal partners, purchased their present store of Dr. F. Feltz. On February 9, 1886, Joseph R. was appointed postmaster of Perryville, which position he still holds.

He was married on April 19, 1887, to Elizabeth J. Shelby, a daughter of Dr. Reuben Shelby. Mrs. DeLassus was born in Perryville in 1866.

Louis C. DeLassus was education at the Ursaline Convent, Perryville, and St. Francois College, Quincy, Ill. In 1880, he was employed as clerk in the drug store of Feltz & Aikin in Perryville, and remained three years after which he worked at various employments until May 1887 when he engaged in his present business.

The brothers have a good drug store and are young men of good business qualification, who have many friends. They are Democrats and are members of the Catholic Church.

The Goodspeed Publishing Company compiled a series of histories of various counties in the U.S. in the late 19th century. The information in the History of Southeast Missouri, published in 1888, was provided by the contemporary residents of Perry County and her neighboring counties. The biographies are a valuable source of genealogical information, despite a few minor inaccuracies. We are glad to present the transcribed biographies here for anyone researching Perry County's history.