William Washington Biard

   W. W. Biard was born 20 Jul 1869 in Lamar Co TX, son of Tolbert Fanning Biard & Mary Lillian Johnson.  He was named for his grandfather and his family lived at Biardstown TX which was founded by his grandparents.  He attended school at Gowdy Military College near there in Paris, TX, and after graduation from that place Biard came to Kaufman County in 1890, answering an ad for a Clerk's position at Taylor Bros. Mercantile, which later became Spikes-Nash & Company.  He prospered in Kaufman, learning the mercantile trade and In 1907 he established his own store, - W W Biard & Company - which he operated until 1928.

   Biard was a Mason, an Odd Fellow, a Lion and a member of the First Christian Church.  In the 1890's and during the Spanish-American War he was Captain of the Texas Midland Light Guards and served several terms on the Kaufman School Board, including the President's position, and served on the Kaufman Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for more than 25 years.  He was instrumental in the building of Kaufman High School in 1922 and his name is inscribed on the cornerstone from that building.

   W W Biard established the Kaufman County Electrical Cooperative, which was the first electrical service to the residents who lived outside the town of Kaufman.  He also assisted in bringing the CCC to Kaufman and establishing the Kaufman County Soil and Water Conservation Association.

   On 22 Jan 1899 W W Biard married Miss Annie Dawkins and one daughter, Lillian, was born.  Mrs Biard died in 1936 and on 12 Oct 1941 Biard married Miss Lila Dashiel.  He died 7 Jan 1949 and is buried next to his first wife and brother Alex, at the Kaufman City Cemetery.

**information from Obituary - Kaufman Herald - Jan. 13, 1949 edition