Beard, Thomas J.

BEARD, MC KINLEY, MATTHEWS, WRIGHT

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 7/31/2020 at 13:45:02

Thomas J. Beard resides upon section 6, Oregon Township, where he is the owner of 167 acres of fine land, and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Venango County July 14, 1848, and is the son of Thomas and Mary (McKinley) Beard, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch-Irish descent. They came to this county in 1865, and now reside in Washington. They reared a family of four children: James, a farmer residing in Reno County, Kan.; Thomas J., the subject of this sketch; Cyrus, an attorney at law, residing in Harlan, Shelby Co., Iowa; Calvin, of Washington.

Our subject grew to manhood on a farm in his native State and received but a limited education in the common schools, which he supplemented by reading and observation. He came to this county in 1865, and on the 30th of October, 1872, was united in marriage with Miss Aggie Wright, a daughter of John and Alice A. (Matthews) Wright, who were natives of Ireland. She was also born in that country, but when two years old was brought by her parents to America. Four children have blessed their union, three of whom are now living – Eva, Nellie A. and Mary G. The other died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Beard are members of the United Presbyterian Church. He is regarded as one of the best and most influential citizens of Oregon Township. Farming has been his lifelong occupation, and in this work he has been remarkably successful. The home farm consists of 167 acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, and well improved in every respect. As a citizen he is held in high respect by all who know him.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of Thomas J. Beard, page 212.