[The following sketch is taken from Biographical Souvenir of the State of Texas. Containing Biographical Sketches of the Representative Public, and Many Early Settled Families. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Company, 1889. On line at http://www.txfannin.org/booksonline.php?book=Souv&type_PG=Main ]

John D. Ourand, a son of David and Ann E. (Walker) Ourand, is of French-Irish extraction. His father was a native of Paris, France, came to this country when about fifteen or sixteen years of age, and settled in Frederick County, Maryland. There he met and married Miss Ann E. Walker, daughter of John Walker, a native of Ireland, who also immigrated to this country when a young man. The subject of this sketch is the younger of two sons born to this union, the elder one being Thomas W. Ourand.

Walkersville, Frederick County, Maryland

John D. Ourand was born in Walkersville, Frederick County, Maryland, February 22, 1844, and was reared to the age of seventeen in his native county, when he started West with a view of bettering his fortunes. He stopped first in Seneca County, Ohio, from which place, after a residence of some years, he moved to Chicago. There he engaged in the grain and commission business, but subsequently he moved to Iowa City, Iowa, where he became an extensive dealer in cattle and hogs. Selling out his interests there, he started in March 1859 across the plains, pulled up in California the following year, and for the next six years was on the Pacific coast, mostly in California, and engaged in mining, hotel business and other pursuits, being then single, and prompted by the motives which led all the rovers across the plains in those days, namely, to see the gay life of the free and unfettered West, and to make money.

He enlisted in the spring of 1864 in the Federal army as a member of Company I, First California cavalry, and served till March 1866, doing out-post duty most of the time in the southern part of the State, and in Arizona. He entered as a private and came out as first lieutenant of his company.

Mr. Ourand returned East in 1866, and after a visit of about two years among relatives in several of the Eastern States, he turned his face once more to the West, coming this time to Texas. He settled in Collin county in the spring of 1870, and for two years was on a farm. He next moved to Red River City, in Grayson, where he first engaged in mercantile pursuits. When it became evident by the centering of the railroad interests at Denison that that would be the town of Grayson county, Mr. Ourand moved to that place in 1874. Since that date he has been a fixture in Denison, and one of that place's most energetic, successful and public-spirited citizens. He has studiously kept aloof from politics and has given his entire time and attention to his own personal affairs. Their present prosperous condition attests the wisdom of his choice. He has an established, good-paying business, owns a handsome business block on the main thoroughfare in the city, and besides owns one of the prettiest homes in North Texas. He is also interested in a number of the public enterprises of the city, contributing liberally both of his money and personal efforts to further these.

Mr. Ourand came to Texas a single man. In August 1879, he married Miss Jordie R. Burchfield, then of Grayson County, but a native of Arkansas, and her family originally from Tennessee.