The John Henry Beard Jr. Family

The John Henry Beard Jr. Family

Continuing the remarkable tradition — another generation with twelve children who lived through America's transformation

John Henry Beard Jr. and Mary Elizabeth Bowders continued the family's extraordinary legacy by raising twelve children during the Industrial Revolution and into the modern era. Their children witnessed America transform from a rural agricultural nation into a global superpower.

John Henry Beard Jr. & Mary Elizabeth Bowders

(1862–1918) & (1866–1941)
Buried at State Line Union Cemetery, Franklin County, Pennsylvania

Married circa 1884 in Franklin County, Pennsylvania

Their Twelve Children

Born between 1885-1910, they witnessed America's transformation into a modern nation

Click to read Harvey's story

Harvey Cleveland Beard

(October 18, 1885 – November 15, 1966)
1st Child

Named after President Grover Cleveland

•

Real estate businessman • Lived in Hagerstown 30 years

Click to read Bessie's story

Bessie V. Beard Garman

(November 25, 1887 – May 23, 1988)
2nd Child

Fairchild Aircraft cafeteria worker • Lived to age 100

•

Witnessed the entire 20th century transformation

Remarkable longevity - WWII defense worker
Click to read Laura's story

Laura C. Beard Emmert

(February 12, 1890 – March 20, 1987)
3rd Child

Married Emmert • Lived to age 97

•

Witnessed America's industrial transformation

Click to read Charles' story

Charles Walter Beard

(1892 – May 1, 1917)
4th Child

Tragically killed by train near Greencastle station

•

Was enlisting for military service when accident occurred

Fatal railroad accident at age 27
Click to read Rhoda's story

Rhoda Ellen Beard Parmer

(July 2, 1894 – February 1, 1938)
5th Child

Member of Otterbein United Brethren Church

•

Mother of Harold and Woodrow, step-mother of John D. and Charles

Click to read Allen's story

Allen John Beard

(September 22, 1897 – May 3, 1987)
6th Child • Son

⭐ Continued Beard lineage

•

Father of 12 children - the pattern continues

Primary continuation of the Beard family line
Click to read Hazel's story

Hazel J. Beard Barkdoll

(May 18, 1900 – October 25, 1983)
7th Child

Married Albert F. Barkdoll • Mother of 4 children

•

11 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren

Click to read David's story

David C. Beard

(April 10, 1902 – July 19, 1990)
8th Child

Married to Orvetta E. Beard

•

Grandfather of Richard, Rebecca Jane, and Linda Susan

Click to read Alton's story

Alton Parker Beard

(March 3, 1904 – August 9, 1964)
9th Child

Named after Judge Alton B. Parker

•

Buried at Arlington National Cemetery

Click to read Benjamin's story

Benjamin Franklin Beard

(October 1, 1905 – June 1983)
10th Child

Named after Benjamin Franklin

•

Witnessed America's rise to superpower status

Click to read Fern's story

Fern Viola Beard Tresler

(April 28, 1908 – August 29, 1992)
11th Child

Married Frank M. Tresler Sr. • Trinity United Church member

•

Mother of 3, grandmother/great-grandmother of many

Click to read Walter's story

Walter McCullian Beard

(May 1, 1910 – April 12, 1997)
12th Child

Construction worker • Gardening enthusiast

•

Married to Goldie • Father of 4, grandfather of many

John Henry Jr. & Mary Elizabeth's Legacy

12 Children
25 Years Span
101 Bessie's Age
7 Lived Past 80

Witnesses to American History

John Henry Jr.'s children lived through extraordinary times — from horse-and-buggy days to space travel, from the Spanish-American War to the Moon landing. Their remarkable longevity allowed them to witness and participate in America's transformation into a modern superpower.

×

John Henry Beard Jr.: A Life Through History

John Henry Beard Jr.: A Life Through History

1862 – 1918: Fifty-Six Years of American Transformation

From the Civil War era to the end of World War I, John Henry Beard Jr. lived through America's transformation from a divided nation to an emerging world power. Here are the major events that shaped his remarkable life.

🌟 John Henry Beard Jr. (1862–1918)

Born in the shadow of the Civil War, he lived to see America become a modern industrial nation and father of twelve children who would witness the 20th century.

Civil War & Reconstruction

1862 – 1877 • John's Birth & Early Childhood
1862
John Henry Beard Jr. is Born
Born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, during the height of the Civil War, as America fights to preserve the Union.
Birth Year
September 1862
Battle of Antietam
The bloodiest single day in American history occurs just miles from John's birthplace in Franklin County, with over 23,000 casualties.
John is an infant
1863
Battle of Gettysburg
The war's turning point occurs in nearby Pennsylvania, with Confederate forces retreating through Franklin County where John lives.
John is 1 year old
1865
Civil War Ends
Lee surrenders at Appomattox, ending the Civil War. President Lincoln is assassinated five days later, shocking the nation.
John is 3 years old
1869
Transcontinental Railroad Completed
The golden spike is driven at Promontory Summit, Utah, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific coasts by rail.
John is 7 years old
1876
America's Centennial
The nation celebrates its 100th birthday with the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, showcasing American industrial progress.
John is 14 years old

The Gilded Age

1878 – 1900 • John's Young Adulthood
1879
Edison Invents the Light Bulb
Thomas Edison creates the first practical incandescent light bulb, beginning the age of electric lighting.
John is 17 years old
circa 1884
John Marries Mary Elizabeth Bowders
John begins his family life in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, during America's industrial expansion.
John is 22 years old
1885-1910
John & Mary Raise 12 Children
Through America's Gilded Age and Progressive Era, John and Mary welcome twelve children who will live through the entire 20th century.
John is 23-48 years old
1886
Statue of Liberty Dedicated
France's gift to America is dedicated in New York Harbor, symbolizing freedom and opportunity.
John is 24 years old
1893
World's Columbian Exposition
Chicago hosts the World's Fair, showcasing American innovation and the "White City" of electric lights.
John is 31 years old
1898
Spanish-American War
America emerges as a world power after defeating Spain, gaining territories in the Pacific and Caribbean.
John is 36 years old

The Progressive Era

1900 – 1918 • John's Final Years
1901
President McKinley Assassinated
Theodore Roosevelt becomes president at age 42, ushering in the Progressive Era of reform.
John is 39 years old
1903
Wright Brothers' First Flight
Orville and Wilbur Wright achieve powered flight at Kitty Hawk, beginning the age of aviation.
John is 41 years old
1906
San Francisco Earthquake
A devastating earthquake and fire destroy much of San Francisco, but the city's rapid rebuilding showcases American resilience.
John is 44 years old
1908
Model T Ford Introduced
Henry Ford's assembly line revolutionizes manufacturing, making automobiles affordable for ordinary Americans.
John is 46 years old
1912
Titanic Sinks
The "unsinkable" ship's tragic sinking shocks the world and marks the end of the Gilded Age's unbounded optimism.
John is 50 years old
1914
World War I Begins
The Great War erupts in Europe. America initially remains neutral while John's children come of age.
John is 52 years old
1917
America Enters World War I
The United States joins the Allies, with "doughboys" heading to France as John's own children reach military age.
John is 55 years old
1918
John Henry Beard Jr. Passes Away
After 56 years, John Henry Beard Jr. passes away, having witnessed America's transformation from a war-torn nation to an emerging world power. His twelve children will carry the family legacy into the modern era.
John is 56 years old
November 11, 1918
World War I Ends
The Armistice is signed months after John's death, ending the "war to end all wars" and beginning America's emergence as a global superpower.
Months after John's passing
2025
John's Legacy Lives On
More than a century after his passing, John Henry Beard Jr.'s descendants continue to honor his memory and preserve the family history he began in Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
His family continues his story
Share Your Beard Family Memories

Share Your Beard Family Memories

Help us preserve the legacy of John Henry Beard Jr.'s family

Do you have photos, documents, or stories about the Beard family? We'd love to hear from you! Your contributions help keep our family history alive for future generations.

📁
Upload Family Photos or Documents
Accepted formats: JPG, PNG, PDF, DOC. Max size: 10MB per file.

📧 How it works:

Your submission will be sent directly to Ryan Miner, our Beard family chronicler, for review. Ryan will carefully preserve your contributions and may reach out to you if he needs clarification. Thank you for helping preserve the Beard family legacy!

Explore the Beard Generations

Explore the Beard Generations

Johan Wilhem Barth1st Hanß Philips Barth2nd Johann Wendell Barth3rd Georg Barth4th Nichlaus Beard (Bard)5th John P. Beard6th Frederick Beard Sr.7th David Beard8th John Henry Beard Sr.9th John Henry Beard Jr.10th Allen John Beard11th