Transcript:Indiana, United States. Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties/B/Beard, O.P.

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O.P. Beard (p 935)

A resident of Philanthropy, Ohio, a representative of a pioneer family, and closely identified with the development of Franklin County, Indiana, Mr. Beard is justly entitled to more than a passing notice in this connection. He was born in Butler County, Ohio, July 11, 1821, and reared to good, honest farm labor, and he received a common school education. His parents were James and Margaret (Blue) Beard, the former of Pennsylvania and the latter of Virginia. James Beard's father was George Beard, who came from Germany; he and his brother came to America together and became separated at the landing of the ship and never met again. George settled in Pennsylvania, where he subsequently died.

James Beard, the father of our subject, grew to manhood in the old Keystone state and then moved to Kentucky, where he remained a few years and then in 1807 moved to Butler County, Ohio, where he soon entered land, improving a good farm. In 1840 he purchased land in Indiana, where he died in 1844. Like so many of the old pioneer stock he was a man of great honor and integrity and had the respect of all about him; he became well-to-do and well known. Politically he was an old-line Whig, and in his religious belief he held to the faith of the Primitive Baptist Church. His wife was the daughter of a Mr. Blue, of Virginia, where he died, as did also his good wife. Some of the family came to Indiana and followed farming pursuits. Their children were: Benjamin, David, William, Margaret (the mother of our subject), and Hannah, who married a Mr. Herrold and settled in Bourbon County, Kentucky.

The parents of our subject had the following children: William, who died single; Eliza, Mrs. T. F. Freeland; Jane, Mrs. J. Sample; John, a farmer, deceased; Jacob, who died at the age of eighty-two years; James, who died at the age of fifty-two years; and O. P., our subject, who is the only one of the family now living. His early career was among the hardy pioneers, and his father instructed him in the common branches of learning. After his father's death he assisted his mother in conducting the farm up to the time of his marriage in 1854, when he settled on land left him by his father, upon which some clearing had been done and a small log house erected. Here he began the struggle of life, a struggle which none of the men in the prairie regions can fully appreciate. Time went on, and by energy and industry he cleared up the place and added yet another fine farm adjoining. He bought in small tracts, and in all he now has three hundred and twelve acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. He has remodeled the house and built barns, and has given his special attention to farming, in which he has attained a success. In his political belief he is a stanch Democrat, but never aspired to office holding. He was a heavy stockholder in the turnpike running by his farm and was director of the board for many years.

Mr. Beard married Miss Susan Winn, of an honored pioneer family, of Butler County, Ohio, where she was born, November 10, 1836, the daughter of Warner and Rachael (Evans) Winn, both natives of Virginia, the father being a farmer by occupation. He died in 1882, and his good wife and companion in 1884. He was seventy-four years of age and she was seventy-six at the time of death. They were members of the Christian Church. Their children were: Ruben, of Whitewater Township; George, a retired farmer at Harrison; Susan, wife of our subject; Margaret, Mrs. Henry Dawson; Rebecca, Mrs. O. Walling; Sarah, Mrs. A. Jones; and Nancy, Mrs. William Jones. All are living except Margaret.

By the marriage union of our subject and his wife, two children bless the home circle: Margaret J., wife of Peter T. Heard, a farmer of this township; and Rachael, wife of Scott Heard, a farmer of Union County. Mrs. Beard is an acceptable member of the Presbyterian Church. It is a pleasing task for the biographer to trace the history of families so well and favorably connected in all the various phases of life.