Louisiana AHGP

Part of the American History and Genealogy Project

William A. Sherard

William A. Sherard is a merchant and planter at Sugar Creek, Louisiana, but was born in Anderson District, of the Palmetto State, April 28, 1822, to James and Jane (Robinson) Sherard, of the same State. In 1849 they removed to Louisiana and settled in Claiborne Parish, and here Mr. Sherard, as he had before, devoted his attention to farming, making his home in Ward 6 until his death, which occurred about 1869, his wife's death occurring six years prior.

William A. Sherard was the eldest of their two sons and four daughters. At the age of fourteen he left his native State find went to Alabama, growing to mature years in Chambers County, there receiving also a good practical education.

After he had farmed in Alabama for some time he came to Louisiana, and in December, 1851 took up his abode in Claiborne Parish on the place where he now lives, which then consisted of 600 acres, 200 acres of this land he has greatly improved in many ways, for besides putting a goodly portion under cultivation he has erected substantial buildings, among which may be mentioned his store which he erected in 1877. His first small stock has increased to large proportions, is admirably selected, and as he is the soul of honesty, and disposes of his goods at very reasonable rates, he has an excellent trade which is constantly increasing. He has a good mill and cotton-gin on his farm, and to this as well as to his farming operations he gives the best of attention.

He first enlisted in the Confederate Army, in 1863, in Zachery's battalion, but was soon transferred to the Crescent Regiment, with which he served until the war was over. While a resident of the State of Alabama he was married on September 20, 1849, to Margaret J. Harkness, who was born in Georgia, but was reared in that State and Alabama, her father being Robert W. Harkness. He served his country in Georgia, first as High Sheriff and later in the State Legislature. Mr. and Mrs. Sherard have two children: James W. (who is married and is associated with his father in the store) and Mary E. (the widow of D. L. Youngblood). She and her two children, William C. and James D., now make their home with her father. Mr. and Mrs. Sherard are Methodists in belief, and being a genial, hospitable and sincere couple they are held in high esteem by all who know them.

Biographical Sketches| Claiborne Parish

Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana, Southern Publishing Company, 1890