Person:Jacob Beard (1)

WHITLEY Co Hist soc Bull. Feb 74 Jacob (and Sarah Morris) Beard came to whitley Co from Seneca Co Ohio in 1847. Jacob and his brother-in-law James H. Grant (Eliza Beard) started a sawmill, a few rods south of Lorane. This was the first sawmill in Whitley Co. and it started six or eight years before th Pennsylvania RR was finished. To get a steam power in here, large enough to pull a sawmill, and with a small amt of cash, I figured it had to be a horse-power. And then it came to mind one Sunday p.m. when I was about 10, a couple of other boys and myself, ran onto an old horsepower sawmill, in one of the woods owned by one of the Miller boys, now. We played on the thing for some time, no belt, run by gears, knuckles and a sweep on long drive shaft. How little I ever dreamed I was playing on what would, some day, make history." This was horse powered. Jacob helped lay the tracks for the Pennsylvania railroad across Whitley and Kosciusko co. He also worked on the big sink hole, west of Columbia City. As I remember of his telling, they would ddrag logs, all a couple of teams could pull, along side of the sink hole. Then the men would roll them in by hand. They thought they had it and ready to lay track when everything went down six feet under water, had all to do over again. Later on, a cider and apple press was started on the same location as the mill. If they were partners or not, I do no know. Col City Paper, just after Dec 19, 1905 clipping in bad shape: OLDEST CITIZEN AT PIERCETON IS DEAD Jacob Beard, said to be the oldest citizen in Northern Indiana died>>>>>>>known in Whitley County where he lived for more than >>>>ty years. He removed from Maryland to Ohio with his mother at the age of 18, his father having died previous to that time, where they took up government land. They were among the first settlers of Seneca, Ohio. ......was a man of remarkable .....Tuesday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Joseph Pletcher, one mile east of Pierceton. Mr. Beard was for many years a resident of Troy township, Whitley Co. He was a farmer and also a carpenter. The deceased was born near Williamsport, Maryland, December 12, 1807 and died near Pierceton, Dec. 19, 19-5 aged 98 years and six days. He was united in marriage with Sallie Morris about 1830. His life partner died about 1865. Four children, Mrs. Joseph Pletcher of Pierceton; Mrs. John Tannehill of Knox,: Mrs. Tim Rallahan of Albion; and Samuel Beard of Tiffin, Ohio survive. Mrs. Eliza Grant of near Lorane is the only surviving sister. The funeral was conducted from the Troy Presbyterian church Thursday forenoon at 10:30 o'clock. Rev. Morrison officiating. Interment in ....Adams cemetery. The funeral was attended by a large number of relatives and friends. The deceased was a very hale and exceptionally well preserved old man up to about two weeks ago when he suffered a stroke of paralysis. Since that time his death has been ...ly looked for. He was well known in Pierceton and vicinity. Jacob Beard was (blessed?) with remarkable vitality. Even at the time of his death he had a heavy head of hair and had all of his teeth none of which were decayed. Being a sympathizer with the Free Methodist church he died in that faith. The remains were interred in the Adams cemetery. Six of his great grandchildren, Lawrence and Lester Pletcher, sons of Ezra Pletcher, Fred and Ray Pletcher, sons of W.H.Pletcher and Harry and Eugene Pletcher, sons of E.F.Pletcher were the pall bearers.

Nearly Reached Century (another clipping) Jacob Beard after just passing his 98th milestone died Turesday. Jacob Beard, formerly a resident of So Whitley Co, but who for the last two or three yearshas been making his home with his daughter <Mrs. ... .....Pletcher and family. .... .... the last ten days Mr. Beard had been some what ill but until a few days previous the othe day of his death, his condition was thought to be improving and it ws hoped that he would recover and round out a century , a thing which was so much desired by his intimate friends and relatives but this was not to be and, as stated above, the old gentleman passed away on tuesday evening at the home of his daughter, one mile west of Pierceton. Mr Beard was a kindly old character, pretty much known over Whitley County and the eastern portion of Kosciusko county. Although well up in years, the old gentleman was unusually active and industrious and until just before his last illness he insisted upon doing much work about the farm. Residing only a mile from Pierceton, it was his frequent practice to walk to town in a round about way for a distance of three miles to his destination. This he did, he declared for exercise and his trips on foot were frequent. It will be remembered by many who were here on Old Settlers Day that he was one of the number present; however, he did not make himself conspicuous as being the oldest person there but on the contrary by his humble actions he was taken to be no more than 80 or 85 years old . Many persons here are just today aware fifteen years younger than Mr Beard looked. ....... ....... was united in marriage to Sallie Morris....years.To them were born ...children four surviivingMrs. Joseph Pletcher, Mrs. John Tannehill of Knox, Mrs. Tim Rallahan of Albion and Samuel Beard of Tiffin, Ohio.\After his marriage After his marriage he came to Whitley Co. in the year of 1845 (6) and located near Dorane(?). In those days in addition to being tiller of the soil, and woodman, he also followed the occupation of carpenter and millworker. . built the first steam mill at ???? that was ever operated in this county. ............with her grandchildren Mrs. Sellers of Troy, Township and passed her 87th birthday He leaves a large number of grandchildren who regret that he will not have rounded out the century. The funeral occurred yesterfday at 10:30 a.m. at Troy Presebyerian .. "This family moved to Indiana in 1847, and settled five miles northwest of Columbia and one-half mile south of Buzzard Glory, as the name was at that time, changed to Lorane, later the first school house was built at Buzzard Glory. The first teacher was from the east. He wrote a letter to his home, telling them he had got a school and was living close to the Lord, teaching in Glory, and living on the banks of the Jordan River. The mother died young, in her late thirties, leav ing eleven mostly small or young children. I could not get all the marriages of the children of Jacob, son of George and wife Sara. "I will take part of this over in hio, where great grandfather Beard spent his early years. First I will tell of the markets in 18-- and a few years thereafter. The nearest towns, where there were enough people to establish a market, was Pittsburg, Pa. but there were trading posts, where they could get coffee, etc. He said that the nearest mkt to sell any kind of loivestock, the only way to get them there, was to drive them and walk. "He told of one year that as a grown boy, he was so hard up that he did not have the price of a pair of shoes, cost: $1.25. He told about one morning when they had a snow, and he wanted to go after rabbits, and to warm his feet, he took a hot block of wood, wrapped in sacks, and when cold, he stood on same. this hunt was barefoot."

"Noble County, Indiana estates: a transcript of legtors and legatees, 1859-1928" Shank, Beverly 977.201 N66dav (ACPL) 9/2004 Beard, Jacob d. 5/13/1909 filed 5/20/1912 Will: 5/27/1909 "Noble County Original Wills on File 1859-1995 "977.201 N66SSD (ACPL) 9/2004

1. ↑ Came From Seneca Co, Ohio 1847 To 5mls Nw Col. City, Whit Co
2. ↑ 1850 Farmer; Started A Sawmill; Helped Lay Tracks For Railroad
3. ↑ Says 8 Children -