JAMES BEARD

BEARD, RICHARDSON, OGDEN

Posted By: Sharon R. Becker (email)
Date: 11/17/2008 at 07:46:17

JAMES BEARD

Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa
Lewis Publishing Company, 1887. p. 386.

"James BEARD was born in Brown County, Ohio, in Higginsport, on the banks of the Ohio River, December 20, 1844, the eldest son of Daniel and Catherine Beard, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. The father of our subject moved with his parents from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1809, he being then six years of age, and in that State he grew to manhood and learned the cooper's trade.

He was married to Catherine Richardson, and to them were born seven children -- two sons and five daughters. The family subsequently removed to Indiana, where the father died, in March, 1859. After his death, in 1869, the mother and her children came to Ringgold County, Iowa.

The mother is still living, and is now making her home in California. James Beard lived in his native county till about nine years of age, when he accompanied his parents to Indiana, where he was reared to manhood and educated in the common schools.

He enlisted in the service of his country at the age of sixteen years, being a member of Company A, Forty-third Indiana Infantry. He participated in the battles of Island No. 10, New Madrid and Fort Pillow, and from there went to Memphis, thence up White River, where he took part in the other engagements. He was wounded at the battle of Helena, receiving a fracture of the bone in his left thigh, which disabled him for seven months. He rejoined his regiment the following October, and in March following was taken prisoner at Mark's Mills, when he was sent to Tyler, Texas, where he was placed in the stockade, remaining there till August 15, when he made his escape. He traveled northward through Texas and Arkansas, but was recaptured after seventeen days' hard traveling, his principal food during this time being raw corn. He was taken back to Tyler, Texas, where he was kept prisoner until February, 1865, when he was exchanged. He then went to New Orleans, where he received a furlough for thirty days. He was mustered out with his regiment at Indianapolis, Indiana, in June, 1865, after serving four years. He then returned to Parke County, Indiana, where he remained until 1869.

He was married in 1866 to Miss Aurelia J. Ogden, of Parke County, Indiana. He came to Ringgold County, Iowa, in 1869, where he has since followed agricultural pursuits. Mr. Beard was elected sheriff of Ringgold County in the fall of 1883, and re-elected to the same office in the fall of 1885, which position he still holds to the entire satisfaction of his constituents.

Mr. Beard is amember of the Odd Fellows order, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. and Mrs. Beard are the parents of six children-- two sons and four daughters."

Submitted to the Ringgold County IAGenWeb Project by Christy Jay, email: Jaygenie@aol.com)