William L. Bernard,  Lafourche Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller


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William L. Bernard, Lafourche Parish, Louisiana
<p> West Baton Rouge parish, La., is one of the most fertile parishes of
the state, and in this highly productive region, which has long been the
seat of wealth, culture and refinement, William L. Bernard has for a
number of years been engaged in planting.  He was born near Thibodeaux,
La Fourche parish, November 6, 1850, and early imbibed those principles
of honor, probity and candor so characteristic of Louisianians.  He was
the youngest of three children born to Leon and Arsene (Webre) Bernard,
natives of La Fourche parish, the latter being a daughter of John Webre.
She is still living, and makes her home in the city of New Orleans.
Leon Bernard was a prosperous planter of his native parish for many
years,, but in 1871 removed to West Baton Rouge parish, and here made
his home f
or nine years.  He then returned to La Fourche parish, where
he was called from life in 1882, at the age of fifty-two years.  Viewed
in the light of a wise and patriotic citizen, his death was a calamity
to the community in which he resided, and was doubly so to his own
immediate family, over whom his watchfulness and care was unceasing.
The subject of this sketch has inherited many of his most commendable
attributes from his worthy parents, and the schools of his native
parish, under the bent of his ambition, yielded him a practical
education.  He began to make his own way in life as a sugar planter, a
calling to which he had been brought up, and he has since devoted his
energies to this work on his fine farm, which is located near Brusly
Landing.  lie has demonstrated satisfactorily that planting pays, as a
look over his fine farm will testify.  As in other relations of life,
Mr. Bernard has exemplified the character of a true and good man.  Amid
the duties of an active business cares he has found time to cultivate
the finer and gentler feelings, and in 1875 he wooed and won for his
bride Miss Veleda Landry of this parish, and this auspicious union has
resulted in the birth of three sons and three daughters.  The family
worship in the Catholic church, and the counsels of Mr. Bernard are
usually required by the church in her w
ork.  He is a democrat of the
strictest kind, and from early boyhood has been interested in the
political affairs of his section.  His party has shown its appreciation
of his services on a number of occasions, and in 1879 was appointed to
fill an unexpired term as clerk of the district court.  In 1884 he was
appointed a member of the police jury, and until he received his
appointment as assessor of the parish in 1888, he ably discharged the
duties of this position.  He is an ardent friend and promoter of all
public enterprise and his zeal and influence in everything affecting the
general weal, either of the parish or state, have made him well known.
 
 From Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, volume 2, pp.
284-285. 
Submitted by Mike Miller