Jean Castex, a native of France, came to Mermentau around 1856. He opened a mercantile business in 1859 and later became one of Acadia Parish's leading merchants. He was also a cotton and rice farmer and built what may have been the first cotton gin in the parish in 1860. A sawmill was also built at the town about that time. The Mermentau post office was established on September 2, 1859.
Jean Castex a native of France came to Mermentau around 1856 He opened a mercantile business in 1859 and later became one of Acadia Parish's leading merchants He was also a cotton and rice farmer and built what may have been the first cotton gin in the parish in 1860 A sawmill was also built at the town about that time The Mermentau post office was established on September 2 1859