Nicholas Galatas

Nicholas Galatas, born on April 22, 1815, in the lush surroundings of St. Tammany Parish, emerged onto the stage of a nation ripe with potential and a region ripe with opportunity.

The son of Joseph and Marie Galatas, Nicholas entered a world undergoing significant transformation and promise. Raised amidst the picturesque bayous of Louisiana, he absorbed the values of diligence, resilience, and community—a bedrock that would guide his future pursuits.

On August 5, 1839, Nicholas embarked on a new chapter of his life by marrying Marie Basilede Laurent, initiating a partnership that endured for decades. Over 24 years, they welcomed 11 children into their lives, each a testament to their enduring bond.

Records from the 1840s reveal Nicholas’s involvement in the construction of eleven schooners and smaller vessels along Bayou Bonfouca over a twenty-year span.

In March 1862, amidst the upheaval of Civil War-era Louisiana, the Galatas family welcomed their daughter, Ines Clementine, symbolizing hope amid turmoil. Through it all, Nicholas remained unwavering in his commitment to family and community, a beacon of stability in turbulent times.

Nicholas Galatas, born around 1816, was deeply rooted in the cultural and historical fabric of St. Tammany, Louisiana. Raised by Joseph Vincente Galatas and Marie Elenor Rose Dubuisson, he inherited a strong sense of family and resilience. Their family, consisting of at least 7 sons and 5 daughters, flourished in the embrace of St. Tammany’s bayous for over a decade before relocating to New Orleans in 1880.

Nicholas’s civic contributions were substantial. In 1858, at the age of 43, he assumed the role of Sheriff of St. Tammany Parish in Covington, embodying a commitment to justice that resonated throughout the community. His tenure as sheriff demonstrated his dedication to upholding law and order in the region.

He had a grandson that was infamous mobster in Hotsprings, Arkansas in the 1930s, Richard Tallman Galatas.

Even after his passing on June 12, 1886, at the age of 71, Nicholas Galatas remained a revered figure, leaving an indelible imprint on Louisiana’s landscape and in the hearts of those who knew him.

In commemorating his legacy, we honor not just Nicholas Galatas, but also the enduring spirit of Louisiana and the remarkable individuals who have contributed to its rich tapestry of culture and tradition.