Edouard Naret was born 20 August 1800¹ in Montceaux-lès-Provins, Seine-et-Marne, France, the youngest of two children born to Vincent Augustin Naret and Marie Rose Bureau. After the death of his mother in 1812² and his father in 1815,³ he was brought to Gallipolis to live with his maternal uncle, Jean-Pierre Romain (JPR) Bureau.⁴ It is most likely at this time that he adopted the English spelling of his name.

In 1829, Edward began his medical schooling at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, graduating from there on 24 March 1831.⁵ At that time, students attended classes for three years, as well as being a private pupil for two years of a respectable practitioner of medicine.

After finishing medical school, Dr. Naret returned to Gallipolis and took his place as a respected member of the community. By 1841 he was a member of the Board of Directors of the Gallipolis Bank.⁶ He was also a member of the first Vestry of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, formed in December of 1841.⁷

In 1843, he married a Frenchwoman, Benoite Henriette Pitrat, daughter of Antoine Mathieu Pitrat and Gabrielle Henriette Gagniard, of Buffalo, Putnam Co., Virginia.⁸ Benoite was born 22 January 1815 in Lyon, France.⁹ Census records show the Naret family moved between Gallipolis and Buffalo. While no birth records have been located, it appears that all five of their offspring were born in Buffalo.

Dr. Naret was a strong believer in education, and donated land on which the Buffalo Academy was founded on 16 March 1849. He also donated the clay from which the bricks were made for the construction of the school.¹⁰

During the Civil War, Dr. Naret was adjutant general for the 181^st Militia from Putnam County, now West Virginia.¹¹

Benoite Naret died before August 1862 in Gallia County.¹² In 1869 he married Rhoda F. Frazier of Putnam County,¹³ raising a second family with her. He died 20 April 1875 in Buffalo, West Virginia^.14 His place of burial has not been found.

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     ¹ Birth record, 2 fructidor anVIII (20 August 1800), Montceaux-lès-Provins, Seine-et-Marne, France.
     ² Death record, 18 April 1812, Montceaux-lès-Provins, Seine-et-Marne, France.
     ³ Death record, 26 September 1815, Montceaux-lès-Provins, Seine-et-Marne, France.
     ⁴ Census records, U.S. Federal Census, 1820 and 1830, Gallia County, Gallipolis.
     ⁵ Commencement records, University of Pennsylvania, 24 March 1831.
     ⁶ Newspaper article, "Daily Ohio Statesman," Issue 39, Column G.
     ⁷ "The History of St. Peter's Episcopal Church," based on a history compiled by John C. Markley, M.D.
     ⁸ While the marriage is "on the books" in West Virginia, the date is recorded only as 1843. According to her will, a marriage contract drawn up between Edouard Naret and Benoite Henriette Pitrat was dated 25 March 1843.
     ⁹ Birth record, Archives municipals d3 Lyon, Lyon marie unique, 1 Jan 11815-14 July 1815, record #227.
     ¹⁰ National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, dated 26 Jun 1991, "Buffalo Townsquare Historic District," Section 8, page 2.
     ¹¹ West Virginia State Archives, West Virginia Adjutant Generals' Papers, Union Militia 1861-1865 (Ar373), Folder 1, Putnam Co., Adj. Edward Naret - 181^st Militia - Correspondence. http://www.wvculture.org/hiStory/wvmemory/militia/militiabox21.html
     ¹² Gallia County Probate Court, probation of Last Will and Testament of Benoite Henriette Naret, 20 August 1862.
     ¹³ Marriage, West Virginia Marriages 1853-1970, FamilySearch http://pilot.familysearch.org/
     ¹⁴ Death, West Virginia Deaths 1853-180, FamilySearch http://pilot.familysearch.org/