AIME, François Valcour, planter, philanthropist. Born, St. Charles Parish, 1798; son of François Aime and Marie Féli-cité Julie Fortier. Married, January 4, 1819, Joséphine Roman, daughter of Jacques Etienne Roman and Marie Louise Patin, and sister of Gov. A. B. Roman (q.v.). Children: Edwige (b. 1819, mother of Alcée Fortier [q.v.]); Joséphine (b. 1821); Félicité Emma (b. 1823); Félicie (b. 1825); Gabriel (b. 1826). Experimented with sugar re-fining (credited with being first to refine Louisiana sugar), ranks with Etienne Boré (q.v.) in history of sugar in-dustry; adopted Archibald process, Rillieux apparatus and experimented with new types of boiling kettles—diary is chronicle of experiments; studied methods of refining in Cuba and Europe, 1845-1847. Founded St. James Church, St. James, La.; purchased Jefferson College for Marist Fathers to run, and for education of his children; founded St. James Parish plantation known for its expansive and exotic gardens, called Le Petit Versailles. Died, Le Petit Versailles, December 31, 1867; interred St. James Catholic Church Cemetery. C.C.C. Sources: Estelle M. Fortier Cochran, The Fortier Family and Allied Families (1963); Lillian C. Bourgeois, Cabanocey (1957); New Orleans Times-Picayune, July 30, 1957, April 16, 1961; Progress, July 7, 1939; Alcée Fortier, Louisiana (1909); Louisiana Historical Quarterly, LIV, no. 1 (Winter-Spring, 1972); Dictionary of American Biography, Vol. I; National Cyclopedia of American Biography, Vol. XXI; Fortier Collection, Louisiana State Archives and Records Service

Valcour Aime and his wife's remains were moved to St Louis #3 in New Orleans, Louisiana, along with his wife's brother, Governor Roman of Louisiana. Governor Roman's tomb was shattered by a cypress tree, and his heavy iron casket had a face plate It was said he was still very well preserved.