Labranche, Alcée Louis, 1806-1861

Alcée Louis Labranche (1806 – August 17, 1861) was an American planter and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 2nd congressional district from 1843 to 1845.

Born on his father's plantation in St. Rose, St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, he was educated at the Université de Sorèze in Sorèze, France before becoming a sugar planter in St. Charles Parish. Labranche served as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1831 to 1833, and that body elected him speaker of the House on January 7, 1833. On March 3, 1837, outgoing President Andrew Jackson appointed him Charge d'Affaires to the Republic of Texas. On April 2, 1840, Labranche resigned this post to attend to personal affairs. In 1842, Labranche was elected to Congress, serving one term. After leaving Congress, Labranche served as a naval officer at the port of New Orleans in 1847.

Little is known of Labranche's later life. He continued to operate his sugar plantation, married, and had three children. He died in Hot Springs, Virginia, on August 17, 1861. Initially buried in Red Church Cemetery of St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, he was later reinterred in Metairie Cemetery, New Orleans.