Josiah Beard

 

Josiah Beard's life is detailed in the sources as follows:

• Ancestry and Early Life: Josiah Beard was the son of John Beard, the pioneer of Renicks Valley, Greenbrier County. The Beard family was of Scotch-Irish descent. John Beard settled in Renicks Valley around 1770. Josiah was one of five sons and six daughters in his family.
• Marriage and Family: Josiah Beard married Rachel Cameron Poage, the eldest daughter of Major William Poage of Marlins Bottom. Their family consisted of eight sons and three daughters.
• Public Service: Josiah Beard was the first clerk of Pocahontas County after its organization and served during its formative period. He also served as a ruling Elder in the Falling Spring Church in Greenbrier County at the age of 18.
• Personal Characteristics: Josiah Beard was a person of fine mind and good education, which he improved through reading and reflection. He was described as gentle in manners but possessing a strong will. He also kept well informed on current events through reading newspapers and magazines. He was known to be very intelligent and well informed.
• Military Service: During the Civil War, despite being over seventy years of age, Josiah Beard was taken prisoner by Federal troops. He was so angered by something that was said that he challenged the entire squad to single combat.
• Religious Involvement: He was a ruling elder in the Falling Spring Church in Greenbrier County.
• Residence: Josiah Beard lived on Locust Creek.
• Family Details:
  • His eldest son, William T. Beard, was well-educated and became an honored and influential citizen. His wife was Mary, the only daughter of Richard McNeel.
  • Henry Moffett Beard was a Lieutenant in the Confederate service and became a prosperous farmer.
  • Samuel J. Beard resided in Missouri for a long time.
  • Joel Early Beard died in the Confederate service.
• Additional context:
  • Josiah’s sister, Elizabeth Beard, married George W. Poage.
  • Josiah's brother, Samuel Beard, was married to a sister of Rebecca Walkup.
  • His daughter, Margaret Jane Beard, was married to Captain William L. McNeel.
  • His daughter, Miriam Nancy, was married to Isaac McNeel.
  • His daughter-in-law, Mrs. Grace Clark Price was one of the publishers of the book "Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County".
  • His grandson Thomas Summers is Prosecuting Attorney for Pocahontas County and another grandson Harvey Winters McNeel is a physician at Hillsboro.
• Josiah Beard's wife Rachel Poage was the eldest daughter of Major William Poage of Marlins Bottom.

In summary, Josiah Beard was a prominent figure in Pocahontas County, known for his service as the first clerk, his strong character, his religious devotion, and his family's contributions to the community. He was well-educated and intelligent and actively involved in both local government and the church.