Notes for John Marshall Beard

Notes for John Marshall Beard

!US Census 1900 Texas, Cherokee Co., Page 162a, lines 89-90: John Beard (b. May 1821 - 79 - in Mississippi - Occ: Farmer - Father born in Kentucky and Mother born in So. Carolina) married 22 years to Alma (b. Unk 1851 - 49 - in Mississippi - Both parents born in Georgia) with no children born.

!Information supplemented from:
http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/c/r/i/Larry-Luker-Cribbs/GENE10-0001. html

!Obituary from a Cherokee County Newspaper, dated 18 Jan 1907: DEATH OF OLD LANDMARK; "Uncle Johnnie" Beard, who lived near Gent, died this week, at the age of 86 years, and was buried at Shady Grove Cemetery. Mr. Beard came to this county from Mississippi in 1847, and settled at the place where he died, and has lived there continuously ever since. Many years ago he built a bridge across the Neches River, on the Rusk and Palestine road, and paid Col. Guinn $1000 in gold to go to Austin and get the legislature to pass a special act chartering the enterprise, so he could collect toll. The crossing is still known as "Beard's Bridge." When he came to this county he brought a half dozen pear sprouts, which were set out, and developed into 30 trees. They are still living, being now about 60 years old, and of immense size, some of them being several feet in diameter, and still bearing. These trees have been visited by thousands of people, and have been the subject of many newspaper articles. Mr. Beard as been very feeble for some time, and rarely ever left his home. His second wife survives him.

!Memoriam to John Marshall Beard in a Cherokee County Newspaper, dated 5 April 1907: IN MEMORIAM OF JOHN M. BEARD - John M. Beard was born in Lawrence Co., Miss., May 29th, 1821, and died at the
ripe old age of 86, on Jan. 13th, 1907. He was married twice. His first wife, by whom he had one child, died in 1876. In 1881 he was married to Miss Annie Boon, who, with his daughter and four grandchildren, survive him. He came to Texas and settled the place in 1847 where he lived until he departed this life. He was a successful farmer and careful business man, being among the best financiers of the country. He lent money to help build and equip the tram railroad from Jacksonville to Rusk. In the good old days he owned slaves who, from his kind treatment of them, ever held their "Old Master" in the highest reference, and often received from him help and good advice as to how to manage their affairs. He was a noble Christian man, a faithful member of the Methodist church. No one was more generous hearted and kind. He was ever ready with a helping hand and with words of comfort and encouragement to aid those in distress. He was noted for his hospitality and his home was the stopping place for preachers, and the writer has often heard him speak of entertaining during protracted meetings Rev. A.H. Shanks and Rev.
Jeff Shook, father of Mr. J.E. Shook of our city. He remained close to home in his latter years, where his sufferings were somewhat soothed by the kind ministrations of his wife.

!Burial: 1907, West Shady Grove Cemetery-Cherokee Co., Texas

Abt. 1855, When John first came to what is now known as Cherokee Co., he worked at John B. McCracken's hat shop