Bernard, William L.

From Biographical and Historical Memoires of Louisiana, volume 2, pp. 284-285.
Submitted by Mike Miller

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 for 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 work.

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.