BIO:  John E. Beard, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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Part II, Biographical Sketches, Lower Windsor Township, Pg 127

JOHN E. BEARD, Esq., son of Joseph and Susan Beard, of Heidelberg Township, York 
County, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., November 11, 1813.  At eighteen 
years of age he was apprenticed to the tanner’s trade with Jacob Bayler, of York, 
Penn., and served until twenty-one years of age.  He then worked for some time 
with John Kline, of Marietta.  His father bought forty acres of land and a 
tannery, and in 1846 our subject began business for himself, renting the tannery 
from his father.  After a few years he bought the property from his father, 
increased his facilities for doing business, and introduced steam into his 
tannery in 1845 or 1846.  He has been in business ever since 1836, with the 
exception of eleven years, during which his sons carried on the business.  At 
present his son Henry is associated with him in business.  They tan about 1,300 
hides annually.  Mr. Beard was married in 1839 to Nancy, daughter of John Gehly, 
of Windsor Township, and they had five children, of whom two sons and two 
daughters are living.  Mrs. Beard died in 1850.  Mr. Beard’s second marriage was 
in 1856, to Maria, daughter of Henry Leber.  By this union they have three 
children:  Emma, Elmira and George.  The latter is teller in the bank at 
Cheyenne, Wyoming, and receives a salary of $1,500 a year.  Mr. Beard was elected 
justice of the peace five times.  He was appointed assistant assessor of internal 
revenue, and served four years; was elected county commissioner for one term.  
Mr. Beard is a stockholder and director in the Wrightsville National Bank.  He is 
a member of Lodge No. 74, I. O. O. F., York, Penn.