Bio: William A. Sherard, Claiborne Parish, LA
Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville, 1890
Submitted for the LAGenWeb Archives by: Gwen Moran-Hernandez, Jan. 2000


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William A. Sherard is a merchant and planter at Sugar Creek, La., but was born 
in Anderson District, of the Palmetto State, April 28, 1822, to James and Jane 
(Robinson) Sherard, of the same State.  In 1849 they removed to Louisiana and 
settled in Claiborne Parish, and here Mr. Sherard, as he had before, devoted his 
attention to farming, making his home in Ward 6 until his death, which occurred 
about 1869, his wife's death occurring six years prior.  William A. Sherard was 
the eldest of their two sons and four daughters.  At the age of fourteen he left 
his native State and went to Alabama, growing to mature years in Chambers County, 
there receiving a good practical education.  After he had farmed in Alabama for 
some time he came to Louisiana, and in December, 1851, took up his abode in Claiborne 
Parish on the place where he now lives, which then consisted of 600 acres, 200 acres 
of this land he has greatly improved in many ways, for besides putting a goodly 
portion under cultivation, he has erected substantial buildings, among which may 
be mentioned his store which he erected in 1877.  His first small stock has increased 
to large proportions, is admirably selected, and as he is the soul of honesty, and 
disposes of his goods at very reasonable rates, he has an excellent trade which is 
constantly increasing.  He has a good mill and cotton-gin on his farm, and to this 
as well as to his farming operations he gives the best of attention.  He first 
enlisted in the Confederate Army, in 1863, in Zachery's battalion, but was soon 
transferred to the Crescent Regiment, with which he served until the war was over.  
While a resident of the State of Alabama he was married on September 20, 1849, to 
Margaret J. Harkness, who was born in Georgia, but was reared in that State and 
Alabama, her father being Robert W. Harkness.  He served his country in Georgia, 
first as high sheriff and later in the State Legislature.  Mr. and Mrs. Sherard 
have two children: James W. (who is married and is associated with his father in 
the store) and Mary E. (the widow of D. L. Youngblood).  She and her two children, 
William C. and James D., now make their home with her father.  Mr. and Mrs. Sherard 
are Methodists in belief, and being a genial, hospitable and sincere couple they are 
held in high esteem by all who know them.

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