He was born 19 November 19, 1804, the 6th child of Jean Mouton, at the family’s plantation on Bayou Carencro. Graduated from Georgetown College, District of Columbia and studied law in the office of Charles Antoine and Edward Simon in St. Martinville. In 1825 he was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Lafayette Parish. Serves in the Louisiana House from 1826 to 1832.

Marries Zelia Rousseau, grand daughter of Dupre, wealthy cattleman of Opelousas and governor from 1830-1831. After his marriage he abandons his law practice and become a sugar planter on Ile Copal Plantation, given to him by his father as a wedding present. They had five children before his wife died. Marries Emma Kitchell Gardner. This marriage has six children

He was a planter, a State house of representatives, and served as speaker . Residential elector on the Democratic ticket in 1828, 1832, and 1836. He unsuccessful ran for election in 1830 to the Twenty-second Congress; member, State house of representatives 1836; elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Alexander Porter, was reelected to the full term, and served from January 12, 1837, until his resignation on March 1, 1842; chairman, Committee on Agriculture (Twenty-sixth Congress); Governor of Louisiana 1842-1846; actively involved in railroads; president of the State secession convention in 1861; died 12 February 1885 near Vermillionville (now Lafayette), La., and is buried at St. John’s Cemetery.