Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....Figard, John C.Esq.   
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JOHN C. FIGARD, Esq., one of the best-known citizens of 
Bedford County, Pa., has held public office continuously for 
the past forty years in Broad Top township, where he is now 
serving his seventh term as Justice of the Peace.  Son of 
James and Nancy (Sheckler) Figard, he was born October 28, 
1836, on the farm that he now owns and occupies.
  James Figard was born and brought up in York County, 
Pennsylvania.  He came here as a pioneer settler about the 
year 1806, when this region, thickly wooded, was but a 
hunting ground, abounding with deer and other wild animals, 
the untold wealth beneath the soil being undreamed of.  
Clearing the land of the heavy timber with the help of his 
sons, he developed and improved a farm.  In December, 1852, 
after a long and useful earthly career, he passed to the 
higher life.  He was a Whig in politics, active in his 
party, and a valued member of the Church of God, in which he 
was for many years a Deacon.  Of the children born of his 
union with Nancy Sheckler, who was a native of Bedford 
County, Pennsylvania, four sons survive, namely: Amos, of 
Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania; James, of Fulton County, 
Illinois; Joseph, of Broad Top, Pa.; and John C.
  John C. Figard acquired the rudiments of his education in 
the public school of Round Knob, in Broad Top township, and 
when but sixteen years old received a teacher's certificate 
from the local school directors.  But not deeming himself 
sufficiently qualified to accept a position in the public 
schools, he continued his studies, and subsequently passed a 
satisfactory examination in questions prepared by the 
district examiner and county superintendents Gettys, 
Heckerman, and Dickerson.  He afterward taught several terms 
of school, but since that time he has devoted himself to the 
care of his large farm, the ancestral homestead of three 
hundred and thirty acres.  In addition to farming, he pays 
much attention to raising improved stock, including Jersey 
and Durham cattle, and Poland China hogs.  When coal was 
discovered in this locality, he was one of the first to 
commence mining, and he aided greatly in developing the 
industry by directing to it the notice of Eastern 
capitalists, and thus bringing about the building of the 
Huntingdon & Broad Top Mountain Railroad.
  Mr. Figard has been in public life ever since 1859, when 
he was first elected Township Supervisor, an office to which 
he was re-elected three times.  For twelve years he was 
School Director of Broad Top township, serving during the 
entire period as secretary of the board, and for six years 
he was District Superintendent of Schools.  In 1880 he was 
appointed an enumerator of the United States Census, and 
subsequently, under President Cleveland's first 
administration, he was for a short time store-keeper and 
gauger in the Internal Revenue Service for the district in 
which he resides.  In 1884 he was a candidate for the State 
legislature, being the choice of the Democrats of the 
county, but was defeated by N. C. Evans, of Everett, the 
Republican nominee, although he ran ahead of his ticket four 
hundred votes.  Notwithstanding his Democratic principles, 
Mr. Figard often supports at the polls the man he deems best 
qualified for the position to be filled, regardless of party 
restrictions.  In 1866 [sic] he was first elected as Justice 
of the Peace.  In 1887 he was not a candidate for the 
position; but at the next election, in 1888, he was again 
chosen, running far ahead of his competitor.  In every 
office to which he has been called he has been faithful to 
his trust, thoroughly identifying himself with the interests 
of his township.  He has gained the confidence and good will 
of the community, and won a host of warm and lasting 
friends.
  On February 28, 1856, Mr. Figard married Miss Emelia 
Wright.  They have four children, all of whom reside in 
Broad Top township, namely: Theophilos S.; Clara B., wife of 
John Smith; Albert S.; and Wade H.


Source: Bedford Biographical Review, 1899, Bedford Co., Pa