GIRARD, (Hon.) Michel. E., FR., then Lafayette Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller


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HON. M. E. GIRARD.--Hon. Michel EIi Girard was born at Baigne, France,
September 14, 1828, and died in Lafayette, Louisiana, April 15, 1889. He was a
son of Dr. Michel Girard, a Frenchman by birth, who came to Lafayette parish
more than half a century since.  M. E. Girard's mother was a native of
Louisiana.  He was an infant when his parents came to Louisiana.  Young M. E.
at an early age was sent to St. Charles College, Grand Coteau, where he
remained until he was ten years of age, when his father returning to France,
young Girard completed his education in the Royal College of Angouleme,
graduating when eighteen years of age.  As a student young Girard was noted
for his retentive memory, and the zeal and industry which were always
characteristic of him, aided materially in making him the eminent lawyer he
became.

After the death of his father, Mr. Girard returned to Louisiana, to which he
had become much attached as a boy.  On his return voyage the vessel on which
he was a passenger was wrecked, and he was one of the few on board who were
rescued.  He arrived in New Orleans penniless.  From there he came to
Lafayette parish, where he found many friends of his father, and numerous
relatives of his mother's.  Among them he determined to make his home.  He
soon entered the law office of Basil C. Crow, whose youngest daughter, Maxime,
he subsequently married.  As a law student young Girard was characterized by
the same untiring energy that he exercised in college, and this, aided by his
excellent memory, soon made him well versed in the lore of law.  He was
admitted to the bar before the supreme court at Opelousas, 1849, and shortly
after formed a copartnership with his preceptor.  Devoted to his profession,
industrious, punctual, and attentive to business, he soon became one of the
first lawyers of his district.  He was an able advocate, and combined with his
knowledge of civil law a patient earnestness and pertinacity.  His skill is
evidenced in that he rarely ever lost a case before the supreme court.  The
perfect confidence of his clients was the tribute to his faithfulness as a
counsellor.  Mr. Girard never sought political preferment, though when his
services were demanded at the hands of his fellow citizens, the confidence
reposed in him was never forfeited.

Before and during the war he served as district attorney.  He was a member of
the Louisiana seceding convention; and again, in 1879, when her best talent
was so much needed, he was called to the service of the State.

Mr. Girard was a Mason of great prominence.  He was made a member of the order
at Franklin, Louisiana, in 1855.  In 1856 he was appointed senior warden of
Hope Lodge, Lafayette, and in the year following he was elected worshipful
master, which position he filled, with the exception of one year, until 1873,
and was afterward at various times reëlected.  He was high priest of Gordy
Chaper, at Opelousas, 1868 and 1869.  He organized Hope Chapter at Lafayette,
1870, and was high priest until his death.  He was eminent commander of Girard
Commandeer for six consecutive years; he was elected a life member of the
Orleans Commandery by resolution, was senior warden and deputy grand
commander; was grand high priest of the Grand Chapter 1871-72, and was
grand-master of the Grand Lodge, 1873-74.  He is chairman of the Committee On
Masonic Law and Jurisprudence of the Grand Lodge from 1876-1877, and was
chairman of the Committee on Work it the same lodge from 1876 until his death. 
June 12, 1879, he reached the highest degree of Masonry,--33(' A. A. S. R. J.
U. S. A. 

Socially, Mr. Girard was one of the most genial and compassionate of men, his
home was the haven of his heart, and a happy one it was.  He became he father
of four children.  Dr. P. M. Girard,  Dr. P. D. Béraud,  Crow Girard, Esq. and
Felix Girard.

Southwest Louisiana Biographical and Historical, Biographical Section, pp.
226-227.  Edited by William Henry Perrin.  Published in 1891, by The Gulf
Publishing Company.