In 1903, Lamartine Bouanchaud began the L. Bouanchaud Insurance Agency in New Roads to better provide for the insurance needs of people and businesses in Pointe Coupee Parish. Beginning with a few major insurance companies, Lamartine added more and more national companies to better serve his clients.

 

In 1946 Lamartine's daughter, Elizabeth and her husband, J.O. "Boo" Smith, became the owners of the agency.  “Boo” further established the agency as a reliable and trusted source for local insurance needs.  In the 1970’s their three sons (Olivier, Charles, and Dodd) joined the agency.

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In 1977 a second agency name, the J. O. Smith Agency, was added with addition of Allstate Insurance. After Boo's retirement in 1986, Olivier was a driving force in the growth of both agencies for the next 23 years until his death in 2009.