Beard, Ezra Gibbs 1875-1898

BEARD

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 2/22/2005 at 19:42:31

Life of Another Young Soldier a Precious Sacrifice for His Country Sad and Impressive Funeral Service

Sergt. Ed. G. Beard, around whose bed loving friends have watched and labored for so many weeks, and for whose recovery such earnest prayers have been offered, peacefully sank to rest last Monday evening, October 31st ­ “taps” had been sounded for him and the young soldier went to the great roll call on resurrection morn. Few deaths have occurred in Newton that have caused a more universal sense of sorrow than this. Only last spring, when the dark war clouds hovered over our country, he enlisted and left Newton with Company L, 50th Iowa, in the full strength and vigor of young manhood, his heart burning with all the patriotic fervor of a young American, to do battle for his country. In the camp at Jacksonville, Fla., the germs of typhoid fever were taken into his system, and although he fought manfully against the disease, and kept up until his regiment arrived at home, since then he has constantly declined until the dread disease had finished its work, and his young life was yielded up, as truly a sacrifice on the altar of his country as if he had fallen on the field of battle.

The funeral was held in the Congregational Church yesterday afternoon, and was one of the most largely attended funerals ever held in the church. The altar decorations and floral offerings were all of a patriotic character, and were magnificent ­ one floral piece being a large flag made of carnations. The pallbearers were Lieut. Harry Lewis, Lieut. Ira Willson and Messrs. Will Ryan, Bert Engle, Gusta Bergman and Will Jasper, and beautiful music was rendered by Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Vaughan, Miss Lettie Earley and Mr. Fred Meredith with Mrs. Frisk at the organ. Rev. C. C. Harrah and Rev. B. C. Baumgardner made brief addresses, paying loving tribute to the life and character of one whom they had loved in life, and offering sweet words of comfort to the bereaved parents and family. The procession to the cemetery was led by the K. T. Band, and the members of Company L, under command of Capt. Dunlap, acted as escort. At the cemetery when the casket was lowered in to the grave Clare Errett of Co. L, sounded “Taps ­ Lights Out!” on the bugle ­ and the mortal remains of brave young Ed. Beard were at rest.

Ezra Gibbs Beard, only son of Prof. and Mrs. E. J. H. Beard, was born in Hamburg, Iowa, February 5, 1875. He was graduated from high school of Maryville, Mo., Mary 23, 1890, at the age of 15. The three succeeding years he spent in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the employ of the wholesale house of Wayman, Partridge & Co. Since that time he has made his home with his parents in Newton. Here he has been engaged in the private study of law.

At the age of 11 years he joined the Presbyterian Church at Maryville. When he came to Newton he presented his letter to the Congregational Church, of which he has been an enthusiastic and zealous member. In the Y.P.S.C.E. he was always an energetic worker, always in his place and eager, rendering his service, always doing more than his share for the good of the society. Gifted with rare energy he always “did with his might what his hands found to do.” In whatever employment he was interested he was an enthusiast, bringing his whole personality to bear upon his undertaking with a vigor and persistency, which made itself felt. Those who knew him best came to value this side of his character, which as he matured under larger experiences seemed to prophesy a larger usefulness to the world. He was very active in church work, and was president of the Endeavor Union of the County C. E.

Patriotism led him to be much interested in the Good Citizenship movement and he was planning as county president a county campaign on that line when the strained relations between our country and Spain arose. When the war became imminent he weighted the question of his duty and went to fight his country’s battles. Who shall say that it was not right? He felt he had his mission. How well he performed it in adhering to his principles his comrades know.

In a letter written some ten days before he left Jacksonville he told his pastor that he was not well, was fighting a fever but would be all right soon. We had hoped that when he was brought home that the northern air, the home comforts and tender nursing would restore him. Few ever had better care or more ardent wishes for his recovery. But it was not so to be. His life had burned out. After 8 weeks of steady decline he was mustered out ahead of is regiment by the great commander. Conscious to the last, quietly, peacefully as if falling asleep, he closed his eyes to this world and in the perfect calm his tired body found repose. God giving him and his tat sweet boon so often denied the soldier of answering the final summons from the hallowed spot from which he first heart its call, the home, surrounded by his friends and loved ones.

On Monday evening, October 31st, at 7:45 our brother received his discharge and as we are entering into the fruits of peace purchased by such precious sacrifices he realized his Master’s blessing, “My peace I give unto you,” “Not as the world giveth give I unto you,” “Let not your hearts be troubled.”. ~ The Newton Record November 3, 1898