Born in Berwick Bay, St. Mary’s Parish, Louisiana, to Sidney Hosmore and Mary (O’Brien) Millard, George O’Brien Millard was a pioneer Beaumont civic leader and educator. George moved to Texas with his extended family after his father died in 1854. George followed his uncle Henry Millard to Beaumont in 1870 and found jobs with J.C. Craig’s General Store and Eagle Sawmill. Eventually, he opened his own business, the George Millard Hardware Company. In 1877, he married Amma Reeves (1850-1952), daughter of John and Barbara Reeves, and the couple had two children, Paul Horace (1880-1968) and Minnie Mae (1883-1969). He was active in the Beaumont community, serving in 1882 as Commander of the Beaumont Fire Company #1, a volunteer-based firefighting organization. George was also a member of First Methodist Church and chaired their building committees in 1889 and 1906. George was known for excellent stewardship during the building process. George and Amma were among the founders of the Temperance League and Temperance Hall Company in 1889, undergoing building campaigns in 1889 and 1902. He also constructed the Millard Building in 1898 to house his hardware business, later also housing the masonic lodge and salvation army. Mayor Wheat appointed George to the school board in 1901. During his eight years as president, he presided over the vote to build Ogden and Junker Schools and two schools for the city’s African American community, South End School and North End School. After his untimely death, Beaumont teachers established a community fund to erect Pompeo Coppini’s statue of Millard, dedicating it January 1, 1912. (2023)