Descendants of George William Beard

Generation No. 1

1. GEORGE WILLIAM¹ BEARD¹ was born February 06, 1862 in Lebanon, Penn, and died Bet. May 23, 1903 - 1904 in Pottstown Hospital, Pottstown, Penn. He married FRANCES E. MCNEAL February 21, 1884 in Hummelstown, Penn², daughter of PHILIP MCNEAL and MARY HILL. She was born October 12, 1868 in Lower Paxton Twp, Dauphin Co, Pennsylvania², and died February 27, 1950 in Pennsylvania.

Notes for GEORGE WILLIAM BEARD:

George was a locomotive engineer for the Reading Company and was killed in 1904 by the explosion of the boiler of his engine.

More About GEORGE WILLIAM BEARD:

Burial: Bet. May 28, 1903 - 1904, Charles Evans Cemetery, Berks co, Reading, Penn

Frances E. McNeal, Great-GrandAunt of Marilyn Zelner Carter (See McNeal family data for more details)

OBIT= Berks Co & vicinity. (died 27 Feb 1950)

Mrs. Frances E. Beard, 81, known as the "mother' of the movement which brought about the reconstruction of the Belt Line Bridge of the Reading Company over Lancaster Avenue near the Kurtz House, died yesterday in St. Joseph's Hospital. She was admitted to the hospital Sunday night from her home, 317 East Lancaster Ave, Shillington.

For years, she was active in various civic projects in the Eighteenth Ward, where she lived until moving to Shillington. She was president of the Southwest Civic Association and was active in the Pennsylvania War Mothers' Association of Treading Chapter of the Gold Star Mothers for a number of years and was honorary president of the Service Mothers of Reading.

The Belt Line Bridge was rebuilt and sidewalks provided while she was president of the Southwest Civic Association. Because of her interest in this project, she was given the honor of cutting the ribbon which was stretched across the highway during the bridge dedication exercises on November 2, 1939.

During the last war, she was active in aiding local boys in the service and those stationed here. She took a prominent part in all USO activities.

She was the daughter of the late Philip D. and Mary McNeal. Her husband preceded her in death 46 years. Mrs. Beard was a member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church of this city and other organizations.

Surviving are two daughters, Catharine Beard, and Theda, wife of Ezra Buzzard, both of Shillington; also one grandchild. She was the last of her immediate family. Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. in the Kindt Memorial Home, Shillington, the Rev. Dr. W.R. Siegart officiating. Burial in Charles Evans Cemetery.

Editorial from Reading Pennsylvania newspaper:

"MOTHER" BEARD IS DEAD!

There can be but a few persons who may never have heard of "Mother" Beard. For the benefit of those few, we must record that this remarkable woman, whose passing we mourn, was Mrs. Frances Beard, 46 years a widow, who died yesterday at the age of 81 years.

Mrs. Beard was a most unusual woman. Her husband, a locomotive engineer for the Reading Company, was killed in 1904 by the explosion of the boiler of his engine. A year later, she lost the first of her sons tragically enough by drowning. Two other sons preceded her in death.

Despite her bereavements, Mrs. Beard plunged into civic work and war work with a vigor that put many younger women to shame. Eighteenth Ward residents revere her memory for the labor she put into having the Belt Line Railroad Bridge rebuilt. Men and women of the armed services of Uncle Sam worshipped her for her labors with and for the USO. She was active in the Pennsylvania War Mothers Association, president of the Reading Chapter of Told Star Mothers for a number of years and also, for some time, president of the Southwest Civic Association.

City officials will remember her for her interest in public affairs which first came to their attention with the scientific assessment of the city in 1929. Mrs. Beard attended a great many of the revaluation hearings at which a new assessment was set up for the municipality.

Mrs. Beard was a doughty campaigner and not easily discouraged, as many of our public officials will remember. She not only prodded public officials, groups of taxpayers, and other interests, but she got into the hair of newspapermen as well. As the sophisticates put it, she learned her way around. Before long, she made trips to Harrisburg and Washing to speak in favor of legislation, largely for her boys...the soldiers and the war veterans.

While she could become very enthusiastic and eloquent about the things closest to her heart, she never lost the dignity of her widowhood and the attributes associated with the fair sex. She never lost her poise and was at home in national gatherings just as much as in our own city council chamber.

Reading and suburban Reading will long remember and cherish the name of the woman who brought cheer into the hearts of many bereaved homes who set the example for service and who managed to raise a family of which only two daughters now remain, and still actively lead and participate in civic affairs."

More About FRANCES E. MCNEAL:

Baptism (LDS): October 10, 1897, By Rev. M. J. Firey, DD.²

Burial: Charles Evans Cemetery , Berks co, Reading, Penn

Christening: October 10, 1897, Pennsylvania

Marriage Notes for GEORGE BEARD and FRANCES MCNEAL:

Per 1889 Beard/McNeal family Bible........ Frances E. McNeal of Churchville, Pa, united on 21st day Feb 1884 in Hummelstown, Pa. Witnesses Mrs. J. D. Killian, Signed, J. D. Killian, Pastor, U.B. Church, Hummelson, Pa.

Children of GEORGE BEARD and FRANCES MCNEAL are:

1. PHILIP CHARLES² BEARD, b. January 25, 1885, Hummelstown, Penn; d. September 03, 1942, at his home in Pennsylvania.
2. CATHERINE "KATIE" OLIVIA BEARD, b. July 21, 1886, Hummelstown, Penn; d. August 08, 1958, Community General Hospital, Shillington, Penn.
   
   Notes for CATHERINE "KATIE" OLIVIA BEARD:
   
   Obit......Aug 8, 1959........
   
   Catherine O. Beard, 72, of 317 E. Lancaster Ave, Shillington, died yesterday in Community General Hospital.
   
   Miss Beard, who owned and operated a corset shop at 25 N. 6th St., was born in Hummelstown and was the daughter of the late George W. and Frances McNeal Beard. A member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church and a resident of Shillington for the last 13 years, she is survived by a sister, Theda B., wife of Ezra Y. Buzzard. Shillington, and a niece, Marjorie E. Beard of Shillington.
   
   Services will be held Tuesday at 2 pm in the R W Gosnell Funeral Home, Shillington. The Rev. John Ziegler, Jr., officiating. Burial will be in the Charles Evans Cemetery
   
   More About CATHERINE "KATIE" OLIVIA BEARD: Burial: August 12, 1958, Charles Evans Cemetery Berks Co., Reading, Penn Christening: April 08, 1900, BY R.W. HUFFORD, DD.
3. ALLEN RAY BEARD³, b. October 02, 1889, Palo Alto, Schuylkill co., Pennsylvania³; d. July 10, 1903, Reading, Penn.
   
   Notes for ALLEN RAY BEARD:
   
   Newspaper clipping dated July 11, 1903.... "YOUNG SWIMMER'S NECK BROKEN. Collided with an obstruction in the canal while taking a dive into 10 feet of water. Allen R. Beard, who was drowned in the canal at the Lebanon Valley Bridge on Friday afternoon, was a son of George and Frances Beard, 520 North 8th. He was 14 years of age and was employed in the office of the Western Union Telegraph office.
   
   Young Beard was an excellent swimmer. His neck was broken when he was taken out of the water. The Lebanon Valley Bridge is being rebuilt. It is believed that some old railroad sills have dropped into the canal and that young Beard struck one of these.
   
   At the point where he met his death, the water is 10 feet deep. There were a score of other swimmers present when he took the dive that caused his death. They tried to rescue him but were unsuccessful. He was taken out by Harry Rhodes, an instructor at the Giles Swimming School. Deceased was off duty this week on vacation and he went to the place to swim with several companions. He told his parents at the dinner table that he intended to spend the afternoon bathing at the point where he met his death.
   
   He had many friends and was an active member of the P. & R.Y.M.C.A. He was vice president of the bible class there and was a member of St. Mathews' Lutheran Church and Sunday school. He is survived by his parents and these brothers & sisters: Philip, Ralph, Katie, and Edith Beard. The remains were taken to his home by Funeral Director Theo. c. Auman. Coroner Moyer will hold an inquest."
   
   More About ALLEN RAY BEARD: Burial: July 1903, Charles Evans Cemetery , Berks Co., Reading, Penn
   
   Christening: October 21, 1900, BY R.W. HUFFORD, DD.
4. RALPH WILLIAM BEARD³, b. April 17, 1891, Palo Alto, Penn; d. July 15, 1948, Allentown Hospital, Allentown, Penn; m. FRANCES SEASER OR SLASER, August 28, 1925, Spring City, Penn.
   
   Notes for RALPH WILLIAM BEARD:
   
   OBIT- ALLENTOWN, PENN, JULY 1945.
   
   Ralph W. Beard, superintendents of the Ironton Railroad, a joint subsidiary of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Co, and the Reading Co., died yesterday in Allentown Hospital. He was 57.
   
   A resident of Allentown for the past two years, Mrs. Beard had held the post with the railroad since his discharge from the service after the last war, in which he served as a lieu tenant colonel. He had charge of transporting invasion bound troops through Southampton, England on D-Day. He was also a veteran of the First World War.
   
   Mr. Beard began his railroad career at the age of 13 as an office boy with the Reading Co. He later was advanced to trainmaster at Norristown, and then yardmaster at Reading. He also served in the latter capacity in Coatesville, Birdsboro, and Pottstown.
   
   Mr. Beard was a member of the Lehigh Valley Traffic Club, the Reading Traffic Club, the New York Railroad Club, the American Legion, the Masonic Lodge, and Christ Lutheran Church here. Surviving are his wife, Florence, his mother, and two sisters. Funeral services will be held here Monday. Burial will be in Zion Cemetery, Spring City, Penn.
   
   Data from Beard Family Bible... "Ralph Wm Beard married Florence Seaser (or Slaser) on 28 Aug 1925 in Spring City, Penn."
   
   More About RALPH WILLIAM BEARD: Burial: July 19, 1948, Zion Cemetery, Spring City, Penn Christening: October 21, 1900, BY R.W. HUFFORD, DD.
5. THEDA EMILY BEARD⁴,⁵, b. September 19, 1893, Pottsville, Penn; d. March 1973, Community General Hospital, Reading, Penn; m. EZRA YOCUM BUZZARD⁶, January 28, 1933, New York⁷; b. April 06, 1876, Newberry, Pennsylvania8; d. October 24, 1960, Residence at 317 E. Lancaster Ave, Shillington, Penn.
Notes for THEDA EMILY BEARD:

OBIT: Services for Mrs. Theda Beard Buzzard, 79 of 317 E. Lancaster Ave, Shillington, who died Thursday at 9:05 p.m. in the Community General Hospital where she was admitted earlier, will be held Monday at 10 a.m.

The Rev. Elton P. Ricards Jr, will officiate in the Iredale Funeral Home, Shillington. Burial will be made in Charles Evans Cemetery.

Born in Pottsville, she was a daughter of the late George and Frances McNeal Beard. Her husband, Ezra Y. Buzzard died in 1960.

Before retiring in 1964, Mrs. Buzzard had been proprietor of the former Beard Corset Shop, 25 N. 5th St., for 29 years. Mrs. Buzzard was a member of Incarnation Lutheran Church, and Reading Court, Supreme Council of Amaranth.

A past president and member of the auxiliary to Gregg Post No. 12, American Legion, sh e was also a member of the Salvation Army Auxiliary.

Data from Beard Family Bible... 'Theda Emily Beard married Ezra Y. Bussard in the city of New York on 28 Jan 1933."

Theda was my 1st cousin 2x removed and the sister to my Great-great aunt.

8/04...data per newly found "cousins" Robert & Cathy Rieker of Quakertown, Penn.... "Ezra's second wife, Theda Beard is buried in Charles Evans Cemetery, Reading, Penn."

More About THEDA EMILY BEARD: Burial: Charles Evans Cemetery, Berks co, Reading, Penn

Christening: October 21, 1900, BY R.W. HUFFORD, DD.

Notes for EZRA YOCUM BUZZARD: Ezra was the husband of my 1st cousin 2x removed.

Seen in 1880 Census for 7th Ward, Williamsport, Lycoming, Penn as age 4, father Samuel, parents both born Penn. (Family Search)

Data obtained via RAOGK volunteer Hazel Sheehan of Lycoming Co. Penn (4/2004)....

1930 Berks Co. Census
Ezra Y. Buzzard in Reading, Penn, North 5th St. in the home of Hugh P. Shellabear.
Hugh P. Shellabear age 38
Lois E. (wife) age 26
William H. (son) age 2
Jean I. (dau) age 1
Ezra Y. Buzzard (father-in-law) age 53
Lucy Buzzard (sister) age 18
** So Lois Buzzard Shellabear and Lucy Buzzard were daughters of Ezra.

1920 Census Penn, 7th ward, Williamsport, Lycoming Co, Penn
E.Y. Buzzard age 43
Mary E. (wife) age 43
Thomas (son) age 19
Lois (dau) age age 16
Mable (dau) age 14
Lucy (dau) age 8
Samanath (mother) age 76

1910 Census in Lycoming Co, Penn. 7th ward.
Ezra Buzzard age 39
Mary (wife) age 34
Thomas (son) age 9
Lois (daughter) age 6
Mable (daughter) age 5
Separate house, same page
Samantha Buzzard (head) age 66
Peter (brother-in-law) age 70

1900 Census, 7th ward, Williamsport, Lycoming Co. Penn
Samuel Buzzard age 58 - May 1842
Samantha (wife) age 57 - May 1843
Ezra Y, (son) age 24 - Apr 1876
Mary E. (dau-in-law) age 24 - feb 1876
Peter (brother) age 61 - Mar 1839

1880 Census, 7th Ward, Williamsport, Lycoming Co, Penn
Samuel Buzzard age 39
Mary S. (wife) age 36 (prob. Samantha)
Inez M. (dau) age 11
Ezra Y. (son) age 4

1870 Census, Wilkins Twp, Allegheny Co, Penn
Samuel Buzzard age 29 Coal MIner
Mary (wife) age 28
Jeremiah (son) age 10
Eleanora (dau) age 8
Laura (dau) age 3

*** not known what happened to wife Mary, and children Thomas, Lois, and Mable. or to his sister Inez

In the Williamsport City Directory, Ezra Buzzard is listed for 1889-1892

WWI Registration Card.
Ezra Yocum Buzzard, age 42, b/6 April, 1876
Blue Eyes, Black Hair
Occupation; RR Clerk - Employed P & R Railroad Co.
Place of Employment: Newberry Junction, Newberry, Penn
Wife: Mary Buzzard.

OBIT.... Ezra Y. Buzzard died yesterday at his residence at 317 E. Lancaster Ave, Shillington. Born in Williamsport, a son of the late Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Buzzard, he was employed as a traveling accountant by the Reading Co., prior to his retirement in 1949.

Buzzard was a member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church and of Williamsport Lodge, I.O.O.F.

Surviving are his widow, Theda (Beard) Buzzard; a daughter, Mable, wife of Fred Rieker of Quakertown; 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. from the Gosnell Funeral Home, Shillington with the Rev. John J. Ziegler Jr. officiating. Burial will be in the Laureldale Cemetery.

8/04...data per newly found 'Cousin's" Robert & Cathy Rieker of Quakertown, Penn... "Ezra Buzzard & his first wife Mary Ella are both buried in the Laureldale, Penn, Cemetery. As you enter the cemetery, take the road to the left and they are on the right near the road, on the opposite side of the stone Dr.

More About EZRA YOCUM BUZZARD:
Burial: October 28, 1960, Laureldale Cemetery, Muhlenberg Twp, Berks Co, Penn
Occupation: Reading RR Co. Auditor

Generation No. 2

1. MARJORIE E.³ BEARD, d. August 1993, Reading, Pennsylvania.
   
   Notes for MARJORIE E. BEARD:
   
   I had a large packet of documents, data, dates, names, clippings, certificates, photos, etcetera pertaining to the Beard/McNeal/Buzzard family. My mom corresponded with Marjorie as did I after my mom died. About 1993, the letters from Marjorie stopped coming. At the same time, I attempted to send the packet of family items to her, and it returned with occupant unknown. In 2001, with the help of my computer, I was able to locate the attorney that had handled her estate as she had died in August of 1993 and he provided me with a copy of her will . I contacted all her listed relatives, but none showed any interest in the items in my possession. Her will mentioned a donation to the Trinity Lutheran Church (of which she had been an active member) in Reading, Pennsylvania. I contacted Deaconess Deborah Matern Graf, who said she would be happy to accept the historical items. Not knowing at the time how deeply involved I would become in researching our ancestry, I very innocently sent the papers to Deaconess Graf.
   
   Then, in March of 2002, I discovered the Zelner/Judd/McNeal/Birkholm/Simmons/Jinkins/Beard family history papers started by my Mom in the 1970's. Suddenly, that packet became a very valuable source of info which I desperately needed. I contacted Deaconess Graf and she forwarded me to Tim Breitenstein, the church history caretaker, to see if I could at least get copies of the packet's papers.
   
   To make a long story short....the Trinity Lutheran personnel have lost/or cannot find the packet. I have corresponded several times with Tim and other people, but to no avail. So, at this time, many details are missing. I do, however, have the big (and very old) Beard family bible which give me some basic details. Hopefully, someday, perhaps the missing packet will be found...one can only hope...Marilyn 2/03
   
   5/04....update.,.. Thru some fantastic research by a RAOGK (Random Acts of Genealogy Kindness) in Pennsylvania, she was able to track Ezra Buzzard's line to a newspaper Obit for Frederick H. Rieker and listed a Mabel Buzzard Rieker as surviving in Quakerstown, Penn. I ran the Rieker name thru the White Pages search site and came up with several that included a Robert Rieker of 153 Hickon Rd, Quakertown, Pen 18951. When I called their number, it was a big surprise for both sides as I finally located the long-lost cousins on my Buzzard/Beard side.

Endnotes

1. source....Gayle Jinkins Dorman, Date of Import: Aug 18, 2004.
2. Beard family bible.
3. source....Gayle Jinkins Dorman, Date of Import: Aug 18, 2004.
4. Family bible data per Marilyn Zelner Carter.
5. source....Gayle Jinkins Dorman, Date of Import: Aug 18, 2004.
6. Per 1880 Census, 7th Ward, Williamsport, Lycoming, Penn, Additional data obtained by RAOGK volunteer Hazel Sheehan in Lycoming Co, Penn. Also 1930 Berks Co, Census, 1910 Lycoming Co, Census, 1889-1892 Williamsport City Directory, and on the WWI registration card.
7. source....Gayle Jinkins Dorman, Date of Import: Aug 18, 2004.
8. Personal Knowledge of Robert & Cathy Rieker of Quakerstown, Pennsylvania.
9. source....Gayle Jinkins Dorman, Date of Import: Aug 18, 2004.

Submitted by: Marilyn.