James W. Beard of Texas County, Missouri

James W. Beard, an enterprising agriculturist of Texas County, Mo., was born in Williamson County, Tenn., December 11, 1830, being the son of Bird and Sarah (Kenneday) Beard, both natives of North Carolina. When young they went with their parents to Tennessee; were married in that State, and there the father followed agricultural pursuits. He was a Whig in politics, and lived to be about fifty-seven years of age. The mother was a member of the Christian Church, and died at the age of over seventy years. They were the parents of six children, five sons and one daughter, the fourth child being James W., the subject of this sketch. He grew to manhood on the farm, and received his education in the old subscription schools. At the age of seventeen he commenced for himself, by working out for wages, and in 1852 he came to Texas County, Mo., where the following year he brought his mother and sister, in a one-horse wagon, drawn by a blind mule. When they reached their place of destination $1.50 was all the available funds in their possession. During the war Mr. Beard served six months in the State Militia, Confederate army. Previous to this, in 1857, he married Miss Telitia J. Sisk, who bore him nine children, six sons and three daughters. His wife died in 1874, and the following year he married Miss Mary E. Giddeons, and by her became the father of five children, two sons and three daughters. Both wives were professing Christians. In 1881 Mr. Beard moved to his present property, and some time after built a store, which he ran for two years. He owns eighty-five acres of land, and for thirty-six years has been a resident of this county. He is a Democrat in his political views.