John H. Beard

A Memorial and Biographical History of McLennan, Falls, Bell, and Coryell Counties
page 400

JOHN H. BEARD, a general farmer, Texas.—Among the successful agriculturists of McLennan county, Texas, who are in the front ranks as progressive and industrious farmers, we cannot fail to mention Mr. Beard, who in the management of everything connected with his farm displays excellent judgment and thoroughness, qualities which cannot fail of success. Mr. Beard was born near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, about 1836, and when quite young came with his parents to Saline county, Texas, where the father bought a farm. He was the son of J. H. Beard, who followed the occupation of a farmer all his life. The latter resided in Missouri for thirty years and then sold out and moved to Oregon, where his death occurred in 1883. His wife, and the mother of our subject, was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and was a Christian in the true sense of that word. She also died in Oregon, when about fifty seven years of age. John H. Beard attained his growth on his father's farm and his educational advantages were limited to two winters in the common school. When fourteen years of age, he left home and made his way to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he engaged with a Government train, as teamster, on a trip to Salt Lake City. He was nine months in making the journey, and afterward he returned home, where he remained two years. In 1851, he came to Harrison county, Texas, and engaged in the livery and stage business until 1858, when he went to the frontier, near San Antonio, Texas, engaged as ranger, and served in that capacity until the breaking out of the Civil war. He then enlisted in the Confederate service, Company B, Eighth Texas Cavalry, and served four years, the last two years as special scout. He was in the battle of Fort Donelson, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Knoxville, Resaca and Atlanta, where his command was detailed for scouting purposes. At the battle of Murfreesboro Mr. Beard was wounded in the calf of the leg, the same ball killing his horse which fell upon him, pinning him to the ground, in which position he remained for twelve hours! He was released by Federal soldiers and taken to Camp Douglas, Illinois, where he was kept prisoner over seven months. He was then exchanged and rejoined his regiment at Tullahoma, Tennessee. He was wounded the second time at the battle of Resaca, the ball passing through his left shoulder, but the wound was not serious. He was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, and from there went to Cherokee county, near Gaston, Alabama, where he was united in marriage, in 1865, to Miss Bertenia Duncan, daughter of Herman and Mary (Scott) Duncan. Mr. Duncan was a farmer and came to Texas in 1862, locating in Red River county, where he resides at the present time. He and wife are natives of Georgia. Mrs. Duncan was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and her life was replete with acts of patience and kindness. She died in Red River county, in 1880. After his marriage, Mr. Beard resided for one year in Alabama, where he rented land and raised one crop. From there he moved to Texas, Red River county, remained there eight years and then came to McLennan county, where he settled on his present farm, twelve and one-half miles east of Waco, and purchased 206 acres. To this he has added from time to time until he now owns 320 acres of excellent land. His buildings are all in first-class order, the land is under fence, and every thing about the place indicates the owner to be a man of enterprise and industry. Mrs. Beard's death, which occurred December 12, 1889, after a short illness of twenty-four hours, was a sad blow to her husband and children. The children, eight in number, are named as follows: William, who married Miss Jamarson, resides near his father; Robert married Miss Holly, and resides in McLennan county; James Irwin, Edward, Ada (a twin), Julia B., Anna M. and John H. Mr. Beard is a Democrat in politics, and he and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Beard has been identified with the interests of Texas for many years and is a thrifty, enterprising citizen.

A Memorial and Biographical History of McLennan, Falls, Bell and Coryell Counties, Texas. Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1893.