Iberia County Louisiana Archives Obituaries.....Bernard, Athur M. - September 20, 1910 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Mary K Creamer marykcreamer@yahoo.com September 4, 2016, 11:10 am source: New Iberia Enterprise and Independent Observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, September 24, 1910, Image 3 DEATH OF A. M. BERNARD. Death has again invaded the ranks of our citizenship and borne hence one of our most estimable business men. Tuesday night, Mr. A. M. Bernard of West Main Street passed to the great Beyond, after a protracted illness by Brights disease, which baffled the physicians art. Mr. Bernard was born in France in the town of Rethal, Parish of Ardinne. He came to Louisiana in 1852, making his home in New Orleans, in 1868 he married Miss Mary M. H. Klipping of New Orleans and in 1872 became a citizen of New Iberia, when he at once embarked in business here, establishing the Bernard Wagon Factory and grist mill, which has been one of the industrial institutions of our City, furnishing employment to a number of our young men. Mr. Bernard had ever been a citizen of progress and sturdy honesty, impressing on all within the circle of his acquaintance, those shining traits which go to make the perfect citizen and gentleman. Industrious, frugal, intelligent, he had by these traits surrounded himself with competency and comfort, transmitting them to his family. Five sturdy sons, all fine citizens of this City, live to mourn his death, but to revere always the memory of time who trained them in the way they should go developing them into men that hold honored positions in life. The sons are Rev. A. A. Bernard now a pastor of the M. E. Church at Melville, La., Mr. W. J. Bernard, manager of the Bernard Wagon Factory, E. L. Bernard, A. Bernard and Robert C. Bernard, all settled in industrial pursuits. Two daughters also survive the father, Mrs. C. S. Steen, of Abbeville and Mrs. Henry Kimball of Jennings. Mr. Bernard was not ambitious for political preferment, but yielded to urgent requests of his neighbors and accepted nomination to the position of City Councilman in 1899 and was elected, he served his term with signal ability, but refused to mix in the turmoil of politics again, although he would have been again endorsed by those who knew his sterling qualities. Mr. Bernard was an honored and loved member of Aurora Lodge, No. 193 F. & A. M. as also of Girad-Hope Chapter, No. 33, R. A. M., both organizations attended his funeral in a body, consigning their companions remains to Mother Earth in the beautiful and impressive ritual of the Order. The religious service at the M. E. Church was attended by an overflowing audience, Revs. A. K. Dodson and Martin Hebert conducting the services. This community will long remember the kindly citizen and friend, whose impress did much for his generation. source: The Weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, September 24, 1910, Image 2 OBITUARY. Died, at his late residence, 618 West Main street, this city, on Tuesday afternoon, September 20th, 1910, at 6 o'clock, Arthur M. Bernard. The end came to him like a tired child falling asleep - it came as a sweet release from the physical infirmities of advancing age. He had been a patient sufferer for many months. On August 20th, 1845, Arthur M. Bernard first saw the light of day at Rethel, a small manufacturing town prettily situated on the right bank of the Aisne, in the department of Ardennes, in the Northern part of France. While yet in the tender years of his youth (1852) he came to this country with his parents, who located in this state. In 1868, at Hymen's alter he received the hand of Miss Mary M. H. Klepping of New Orleans. Three years later the happy young couple cast their lot with the people of this city, where they built their home and reared their family, an honor to their declining years. When Mr. Bernard came to this place it was with the determination of locating permanently and fighting out the battle of life here. He purchased a lot from the Hopkin's estate, then some distance above the town limits, and there on erected a blacksmith and wheelwright's shop, facing Fulton street, which then carried the bulk of the up country travel. His location was practically in the country, on a country road; but his ceaseless industry, accompanied by a scrupulous integrity and a prompt discharge of every business obligation, brought to him their rewards. He was a man of progressive ideas, of a practical nature and quick to recognize opportunities. These qualities of mind accompanied by the powers of a thorough mechanic and finished workman himself, admirably fitted him for the building of the foundation of the manufacturing business which followed, carrying his name practically to the length and bredth of the sugar section of this state. After the town had grown to include his property holdings and extensions he was prevailed upon to become a candidate for membership on the City Council in 1899. The confidence of the voters in his integrity of purpose was admirably reflected in the returns of that election, for he was not only elected, but led his own ticket by a handsome plurality. In 1901 he became a candidate for reelection, aligning with the "Independents," when, notwithstanding that he again led his ticket in the number of votes received, he was defeated by only 16 votes. On July 4th, 1889, he was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason, within the sanctuary of Aurora Lodge No. 193, F. & A. M., of this city. Being found worthy he was permitted later to take the higher degrees of a Royal Arch Mason. On Wednesday afternoon from the First M. E. Church, South, his remains were accompanied to their last rest in Rose Hill Cemetery by his Masonic brothers and a large concourse of bereaved relatives and sympathizing friends. Mr. Bernard is survived by his widow, five sons - Rev. A. A. Bernard, now of Melville, Willie J., Edwin L., Arthur C. and Robt. C., - and two daughters - Mrs. Chas. S. Steen, of Abbeville, and Mrs. Henry A. Kimball, of Jennings. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/iberia/obits/b/bernard6543gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/lafiles/ File size: 6.5 Kb