The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1874-10-23
PIERRE LEONCE HEBRARD.
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last resting place, and the gloom which
his demise spread over a ~populous COM
munity, attested that there was some
thing in his life which attracted the pub
lie regard, and touched sympathetic
chords in the public heart.
His Masonic record was so good, and
his standing among the members Of the
Fraternity so exalted, that a notice of
his life would be imperfect without due
reference to his connection with the
Order.
He was born in New Orleans in the
month Of October 1918, and died at Ope-
lousas in October 1874, at the age Of So
years. Some thirty-twO or three years
ago, he adopted st. Landry rs his home,
where he married, and continued to re-
side to the day of his death. On the 18th
of September 1912, he was initiated III
Humble Cottage Lodge at OpclOusas,
passed in March 1943, and raised to the
degree of Master Mason in December
1843. He was elected WOrshipful Master
| of the Lodge in December 1856, and re-
elected in 1853 and 1859, during which
| period he wal able, efficient and exem-
plary in the discharge Of his official du-
ties. The Capitnlar degrees were con-
ferred on him in Gordy Royal Arch
Chapter No. SO, at O~pelousas on the 10Th
of July 1867, and he became q charter
member of the Chapter. The Cryptic
degrees were conferred on him in Eureka
Council No. 10, r. & S. NJ, at Opelousas
in the year 1870, and he became also n
charter member of the Council. He was
q life member of Humble Cottage Lodge,
and an honorary member of Gordy Chap
ter No. 80, and at the period of his de-
cease, stood elected to take the degrees
of knight Templarin Girard Command
cry No. 4, at Opelousas. He had taken
all the degrees in tho Scottish Rite to
the SD included. He was an S.. P. R..
in Pelican Chapter No. II, Valleyo of New
Orleans c.. E.. K. X. s. H.. in Eagle
Council No. g., Valley ofNew Orleans, and
S.. P. RS. 80 in Grand Consistory of
La, under the jurisdiction of S.. c.. of
Charleston, S, c., in January 1859.
From the year 1916 to 1857, Humble
Cottage Lodge, for reasons which would
be out of place in this brief article, was
in a languishing condition, and would
have been compelled to surrender its
charter, had it not been for the zeal and
devotion of five of it's members, prom
incnt among whom was the deceased,
P. L. Hebrard.
In the year 1863, when Opelousas was
occupied by the United States troops
under the command of Gen. Banks, Bro.
Hebrard was a resident of the town.
Without FORGETTING any of his claims to
the respect and esteem of his fellow
citizens, he cultivated the most friendly
Masonic relations with some of the Off
GERS in command, and by this means
contributed largely to promote the com-
fort and security of the helpless resid-
ents, and to soften the rigors of IL mill
itary occupation.
These splendid Masonic virtues fol-
lowed him in the various walks of life.
He was every where benevolent and
charitable. His big heart embraced all
classes and conditions Of men, and he
impoverished himself to help his neigh
bors. He was achristiap, and a member
of the Roman Catholic church, within
whose eonsecrated soil his remains now
repose..
He occupied various positions, in all
of which he was noted for his honesty
and probity. He vas for some years
Register of the Land Office at Opelousas,
the duties of which he performed with
signal industry and ability. His famil-
iarity with the Land Laws was such that
the lawyers who had casesin this branch
before our courts always consulted him
to advantage. nr
To say that he had no faults, would he
to suppose him not human. But his.
very faults were tire excuses of his vir-
tues. They sprang from his benevolence,
his charity, and his intense social organ
ization. They were faults which, while
they resulted from his love for his fel-
low man. injured no one but himself.
They were faults which were no sooner
recorded than they were wiped away by
the tears of sympathizing angels. The
great good which he has done will live
after him, and he will long occupy a
green spot in the memory of the many
recipients of Ilis kindness, his henevo-
lence and his charity.