Marcellin Garand (1781-1852) was a native of Savoie France and retired Adjutant Major in Napoleon‘s army who settled in Ville Platte in 1824 where he operated a hotel, store and tavern. He also served as the first Postmaster from 1842 to 1848. He married Hyacinth Vidrine (1794-1863) daughter of Jean Baptiste Pierre Vidrine and Marie Joseph Brignac with whom he had eight children. From their estate, Hyacinth donated a plot of land in 1865 to Sacred Heart Church. Marcellin Garand is buried in the Old Ville Platte cemetery.
Antoine Vidrine, Sr. (1801-1875) was the son of Etienne Vidrine dit Lapaise and Victoire Soileau. He lived in the Old Grand Prairie area and had 450 arpents of land. He married married first Eloise LaRose Fontenot, and they had one son. When she died, he then married Marie Josephine Ortego, and they had 15 children. He was buried in the St. Landry Church cemetery in Opelousas, LA.
Aurelie Vidrine (1843–1915) was a Confederate soldier of the Civil War serving with Company K 28th (Thomas’) Louisiana infantry Regiment. He was the son of Etienne Vidrine, Jr. and Domelise Guillory, born near Ville Platte, LA. He married first Zoe Fusilier, and they had 11 children. After Zoe died, he married Louisiana Singletary, and they had five children. Aurelie is buried in the Old Ville Platte cemetery.
Alcin Vidrine (1845–1932) was also a Confederate soldier in the Civil War with Company K, 16th Louisiana Infantry Regiment. He was the son of Antoine Vidrine, Sr. and Josephine Ortego and born near Opelousas. After the war, he engaged in planting and merchandising and owned a Plantation of about 500 acres cultivated by tenants. Alcin married Marie Marie-Estelle Andrepont, and they had 13 children. He is buried in the Saint Landry Church cemetery in Opelousas, LA
Dr. Jules C Vidrine (1870-1945) was the son of Aurelie Vidrine and Zoe Fuselier, born near Ville Platte. He married Herodias Guillory. Dr. Jules was a General Practitioner, School Board President, and had a boarding home for teachers in the area. He is buried in the Old Ville Platte cemetery. The community of Vidrine is named after him as the post office was housed in his home.
Euzebe Vidrine (1898–1924) was the son of Arcile “Sony” Vidrine and Aureline Fontenot, born near Ville Platte. He married Lillian Andrus. He was sentenced to death by hanging at the Evangeline Parish Courthouse on August 8, 1924 for the murder of Robert Leo Wiggins, Jr. from Mamou. He was one of the first serial killers, murdering five men. Before the trapped door opened, Euzebe’s last words were reported to be: Do not gamble. Do not drink whiskey…You’ll end up like Euzebe Vidrine if you do!” He’s buried in the Te-Mamou cemetery on Highway 167 just north of Ville Platte.
Dr. Arthur Vidrine, Sr. (1896-1955) was the son of Jean Eloi Vidrine and Marguerite Doris Brignac, born in Ville Platte. He married Kathleen Meazza, and they had 3 children. Dr. Arthur was appointed by Governor Long as the Superintendent of Charity Hospital in New Orleans (1928-1936) and was the founder and first Dean of the LSU School of Medicine (1931-1937). He is best known for having operated on US Senator Huey Pierce Long, Jr. after Long was shot on September 8, 1935 in the Louisiana State Capital in Baton Rouge. Afterward, he moved back to Ville Platte and owned an operated a Hospital (1937-1950) Dr. Arthur is buried in the Sacred Heart Church cemetery in Ville Platte.
Dr. Ladislas Lazaro, Sr. (1872-1927) was the son of Alexandre Lazaro Bilandinoviz and Marie Denise Ortego and grandson of Marie Denise Vidrine and her husband Joseph Manuel Ortego, born near Ville Platte. A US Congressman from Louisiana; He attended public and private schools and Holy Cross College, New Orleans, LA and graduated from Louisville (KY) Medical College in 1894. He practiced his profession in Washington, LA, until 1913. He became interested in agricultural pursuits and served as the President of the Parish School Board for four years. He was elected to serve in the LA State Senate (1908-1912). He was then elected as a Democrat to represent Louisiana’s 7th District in the United States House of Representatives, serving from 1913 until his death in Washington, D.C., March 30, 1927. He is buried in the Old Ville Platte cemetery.