Dr. Jean Emeric Dominique DeNux is the Avoyellean of 1885 because of the work he did in promoting Avoyelles Parish for the Louisiana World's Fair held in New Orleans that year. His wife, Annette Gertrude Walters DeNux was among a committee from Avoyelles who were appointed by the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury to represent Avoyelles at the world's fair. A set of photographs, apparently taken to promote the parish, is the earliest collection of scenes from Avoyelles. Several of these photos remain in the hands of descendants and relatives. Dr. DeNux is seen in many of the photographs.

A biography written in 1890 about Dr. DeNux:
deNUX, Dr. Jean Dominique Emeric. Marksville, Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Randy DeCuir.
Taken from 1890 Biographical & historical Memoirs of Louisiana.

Dr. E. de Nux, physician and surgeon, Marksville, La. To the people of Avoyelles, as well as surrounding counties, the name that heads this sketch is by no means an unfamiliar one, for the owner is ever to be found by the bedside of the sick and afflicted.

He was born in Auch, France, in 1842, and is the son of Emeric and Berthe (Gardere) de Nux, natives also of France. The father was a descendant of one of the wealthy and prominent families of that country. He and his wife both received their final summons in their native country, the father dying in 1856, and the mother in 1866.

Dr. E. de Nux received his education at Toulouse College and at St. Barbe, Paris, but received his medical education in the last named city.

He left his native country for America in 1868, located in New Orleans, where he practiced his profession for one year, and then, in 1869, he removed to Marksville, where he still continues to practice. He is a physician of decided ability, a thorough student of medicine, and his reputation is thoroughly established. In 1873 he was married to Miss Annette Derivas, a native of Louisiana, and the fruits of this union are four children: Emeric, Gaston, Henry and Sylvain. Dr. de Nux and family are members of the Catholic Church.