FRANK BEARD.
Frank Beard, furniture dealer, of Potter, Kan., was born on a farm near Abingdon, Knox county, Illinois, a son of William M. and Sarah (Hawthorne) Beard, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Maryland, both of Scotch Presbyterian ancestry. William M., the father, was born in Wilson county, Tennessee, on a farm not far from Nashville. The grandfather of Frank Beard was Rev. John Beard, born of Virginia parents, who were among the earliest settlers of Tennessee. The Beards are a family of pioneers, the pioneering of the family having begun over 100 years ago when the parents of Rev. John Beard crossed the mountains and made a settlement in western Tennessee, where John Beard was born December 25, 1800. The home of the family was not far from the birthplace of Andrew Jackson, with whom John was personally acquainted. The family later became pioneers in Illinois, and ever moved westward until they came to Kansas, and were among the first of the sturdy characters to build homes in the new State.
Thomas Highfill
Frank Beard and Family
Rev. John Beard was a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination. He left Tennessee in 1848 and settled in Knox county, Illinois, and in 1856 came to Kansas, and was one of the first men to preach the Gospel in Atchison county. He was an ardent Free State man who was emphatically opposed to the institution of slavery and fearlessly attacked the pro-slavery party and its principles from the pulpit. On one occasion he preached a sermon in Mt. Pleasant and laid a huge revolver on the pulpit beside his Bible with the remark, “I hope there will be peace during the services,” and there was peace. This action was in keeping with the fearless character of the man himself. Rev. John Beard died at the age of sixty-six years. No pictorial likeness of this famous pioneer is available or his grandson, Frank, would have it inserted in the history. His last sermon was preached at Pleasant Grove church in South Atchison. During his career he served the Round Prairie and High Prairie churches in Leavenworth county, the Wolf Creek congregation in Brown county, and the Pleasant Grove church in Atchison county. He was traveling at all times, to and fro, in northeast Kansas while engaged in the Lord’s work. His son, William M., left Illinois in 1862 and settled in Brown county, Kansas, and in 1865 came to Atchison county. Border ruffians at one time raided the home of William Beard in Brown county. Mattie Beard, a three months’ old babe, was awakened by the noise made by the raiders and screamed loudly. One of the ruffians walked to the cradle, drew his revolver and said: “I’ll stop her noise.” The mother made frantic by this threat picked up a chair, and with all her strength, augmented by her fright, rushed at the raider and knocked him down. After this occurrence the Beards left Kansas and returned to Illinois, where people were more of one mind on the subject of slavery and life was much safer. They remained in Illinois until the close of the war and then came again to Atchison county, settling on a farm in Walnut township. This farm has been owned by the Beard family for fifty years and is now in possession of John Beard, a son of William. Rev. John Beard died in Atchison county in August, 1866. William M. died in 1905, and his faithful wife followed him to the great beyond two years later, in 1907. The father of Sarah Hawthorne Beard was also a pioneer settler of Knox county, Illinois, and planted the first apple orchard in that section of the State, and was the first and only apple exhibitor at the first county fair ever held in Knox county, Illinois.
Frank Beard was a boy of seven when his parents removed to Atchison county and was reared on the farm in Walnut township, receiving his schooling in district No. 60. He followed farming until 1909, when he came to Potter and engaged in the general merchandise business in partnership with Mr. Hodges. This partnership continued until 1911, when he sold out his interest in the general store, and in July of that year purchased the furniture and undertaking business which he is now conducting successfully.
Mr. Beard was married in 1898 to Miss Bee Henson, a daughter of A. T. and Amanda (Cox) Henson, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter having been born in Missouri. The Hensons migrated to Kansas in 1854 before the organization of the State and settled in Jefferson county. They were Free State advocates and took part in the struggle which made Kansas a Free State. Mr. and Mrs. Beard have one child, Leona Beard, born in 1903.
The Democratic party has always claimed the allegiance of Mr. Beard in National affairs, but he is inclined to independence of voting in local, county and State affairs. He is a member of Kickapoo Lodge, No. 4, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Modern Brotherhood, and the Knights and Ladies of Security. Mr. Beard is one of Potter’s best and well respected citizens, a successful and prosperous business man who is ever willing to put his shoulder to the wheel to advance the interests of his home community.