From Proud Heritage, Volume I by DCPA, currently out of print.
Michel Thevenet was born in Paris, France in 1821. After college he entered the banking business. In time he was made an officer of the bank; however, becoming discouraged with the policies of the French government, he decided to leave Paris and follow Victor Considerant to this remarkable new country of Texas. Arriving in 1854, he was among the first to settle upon the colony lands.
In 1855 he sent for his wife, Adele Thevenet, and his little daughter, Marie, whom he had left in Paris until he had a home ready. Mrs. Thevenet, whose family was of the nobility, found life in pioneer Texas very difficult. At least she did not have to spin or weave since she had brought with her many trunks of clothes, which she later made into garments for the three sons that were born at La Reunion – Charles, Henry, and Philip.
In 1857 Michel Thevenet was appointed administrator of the colony affairs by one of the large stockholders, Count d’Epinois. When Alexis Bessard later sold the property at the dissolution of the colony and took Confederate money to France, Mr. Thevenet’s lands in France were confiscated and sold at public auction to repay the stockholders.
Mr. Thevenet moved to Dallas and settled near the old Bryan High School. He was connected with one of the first banks in Dallas; later he traded his property in Dallas for a fruit farm in Florida. After his death his wife and two sons returned to Dallas. The eldest son, Charles, remained in Florida to supervise his father’s estate. His daughter Marie married Hector Huvelle, who came to Dallas after the colony disbanded, and had two children, Camile and Adele Huvelle Santerre.
By Eloise Santerre, Dallas
THEVENET – DALLAS COUNTY ANCESTORS
Great grandfather: Michel Thevenet born Paris, France 1821, died 11 February 1899, Hillsborough County, Florida, buried Seminole Cemetery, Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida; arrived Dallas County 1854.
Great grandmother: Adele Jean-Jacques born 14 September 1830 near Paris, France; died 13 August 1912, Dallas, Texas, buried Greenwood Cemetery, Dallas, Texas; married 29 September 1852, France.
Grandfather: Henry Benjamin Thevenet, Sr. born in La Reunion Colony, Dallas County, Texas 31 March 1865, died 12 February 1922 in Dallas, Texas, buried Grove Hill Cemetery; married 2 February 1892 in Dallas, Texas.
Grandmother: Laura Anna Eimer Thevenet born 23 April 1866 in New Orleans, Louisiana, died 2 February 1950 in Dallas, Texas, buried Grove Hill Cemetery, Dallas, Texas; arrived in Dallas County approximately 1890.
Father: Edmond Charles Thevenet born Dallas, Texas 11 November 1893, died 17 May 1974, Greenville, Texas, buried East Mound Cemetery, Greenville, Hunt County, Texas; married 8 May 1920, Greenville, Texas.
Mother: Beulah Myrtle Davidson Thevenet born Greenville, Texas, 4 May 1901, died 2 December 1977, Greenville, Texas.
By Nancy Thevenet Stembridge, Dallas
