BERNARD, (Hon.) Joseph D., St. Martin then Acadia Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by Mike Miller


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HON. JOSEPH D. BERNARD, RAYNE.--Hon. Joseph D. Bernard, representative of
Acadia parish in the State House of Representatives, was born in St. Martin
parish, Louisiana, November 15, 1832.  He is the son of Francois and Euphrasie
Bernard, both natives of St. Martin parish.  Francois Bernard was an extensive
planter of St. Martin parish.  He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and
participated in the battle of New Orleans.  He died when Joseph D. was but
five years of age.

Our subject received his primary education in the local schools of St. Martin
parish, later attending St. Charles College, Grand Coteau.  On leaving college
he engaged as salesman in a mercantile house at Breaux Bridge, St. Martin
parish.  Locating in Rayne, he opened the first mercantile business in that
section.  Since that time Mr. Bernard has conducted a flourishing business at
this place, in connection with his plantation.  He was elected, in 1882, mayor
of Rayne, in which capacity he served four years.  In 1888 he was elected a
member of the State House of Representatives from Acadia parish, and during
his term of service in that body he has been a member of several important
committees, and has always taken an active part in leading measures.  Mr.
Bernard was a soldier during the whole of the Civil War, serving in the Army
of Virginia.  He was taken a prisoner in 1863, and confined at Point Lookout
until March, 1864.  Being more fortunate than many of his fellow prisoners,
Mr. Bernard was in possession of sufficient means to bribe those in charge,
and consequently did not suffer the hardships common to prison life.  After
his release from imprisonment he returned home and did not reenter into
active service.  Mr. Bernard is united in marriage with Miss Susan Chachere',
of St. Landry parish, Louisiana.  They are the parents of three children: 
Anna,  Agatha and  Frank G.

Southwest Louisiana Biographical and Historical, Biographical Section, pp.
253-254.  Edited by William Henry Perrin.  Published in 1891, by The Gulf
Publishing Company.