Lamar County Texas Archives Obituaries.....Biard, Sam Houston  February 26, 1901
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
K Leach kleach@pcisys.net November 14, 2010, 8:01 pm

Paris newspaper
IN MEMORIAM

      Sam Houston Biard departed this life Feby. 26th, 1901, near his home at 
Detroit, Texas.  Bro. Biard was the fourth son of W. W. Biard, one of the 
oldest settlers of Lamar County, and was born Aug 27, 1847, in Red River 
county, near Clarksville.  Soon after his birth his parents settled at 
Biardstown, Lamar County, Texas.

     His father was the founder of the town, and lived and died there.  The 
deceased was reared at Biardstown and brought up a farmer.  He was married 
June 26th, 1867 to Miss Lula Johnson, a daughter of Dr. Alex Johnson, a 
prominent physician of Lamar County.  Their married life was harmonious and 
happy.  The noble wife and seven children survive the husband and father and 
mourn his loss.

     In 1876 deceased engaged in mercantile business at Biardstown, but sold 
out in 1882 and returned to the farm.  He moved to aris in 1886 and engaged in 
livery business for two years, after which he removed to Jones County, where 
he engaged in farming and stock raising for about ten years.  In 1898 he 
settled at Detroit, Texas and was farming until his untimely death.

     In August 1867, Bro. Biard united with the Christian church at 
Biardstown, becoming a member of the old Antioch congregation, which had been 
organized by his father and others in the early history of the county.  He 
remained a consistent follower of Christ until the day of his death.  The 
summons came suddenly and unexpectedly to his family; as he left home in 
apparently good health, and died from the rupture of a blood vessel while at 
work several miles from home.  But this loss is his eternal gain.  In Bro. 
Biards case, we believe we can say with Paul, We are confidant I say, and 
willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord., 
11 Cor. 5-8.

     The deceased was not a demonstrative Christian, but a consistent one.  
His Christian life as well as his business life, was calm and quiet like the 
running of deep water.  The firm basis of his religious character was 
manifested in the progressive, practical reforms he advocated and practiced 
all through his earthly career.

     In his family the law of love prevailed, and as a husband and father, be 
ever exemplified that new commandment which Jesus gave to His disciples, Love 
one another.  He was a loving husband, and a kind and provident father.  But 
with him the golden rule extended beyond the family and he ever favored just 
and useful laws for the protection and improvement of society.  He believed 
that the liquor traffic, that terrible evil which is destroying the very 
vitals of the body politic, should be prohibited by law, and to that end, as a 
matter of justice to women, he favored equal citizen suffrage.

     Bro. Biard was a man of comprehensive mind and had progressive views on 
political and economical questions.  He took a prominent part in organizing 
the Farmers Alliance in Lamar County and was an earnest reformer on financial 
lines.  He took a prominent part in the greenback party reforms and was a 
leading member of the Populist Party.  His fellow citizens regardless of party 
supported him as an independent candidate for sheriff of Lamar County in 1882 
and again for the legislature in 1888, giving him a splendid support in both 
elections.

     Bro. Biard believed that religion consists more in a useful life, than in 
empty professions and his whole life on domestic, social and political plans 
showed that he was trying to live for the good of his fellow men, and to 
improve the condition of society.

     To this bereaved family we can only say, follow his example and practice 
his precepts.  He is not dead, but gone before.  While his earthly tabernacle 
is dissolved, he yet occupies the house not made with hands eternal a higher 
and happier state where disease, death and trouble can not come.  May this 
family so live that when the transition comes, they can join the husband and 
father on the highlands of Heaven, and as a reunited family enjoy forever the 
sunshine of God's love and truth.
                                                                   
A Friend.
Paris, Texas, March 21, 1901


Additional Comments:
From a clipping in my mother's papers

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