U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: ------------------------------------------------------------------- Beard, Samuel C. (1831-1905) ------------------------------------------------------------------- Men of West Virginia, Volume II Biographical Publishing Company George Richmond, Pres.: C. R. Arnold, Sec'y and Treas. Chicago, Illinois, 1903 Pages 597-600 S. C. BEARD, M. D., a prominent physician and well known citizen of Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, West Virginia, was born on a farm north of that city some four miles, on October 3, 1831, and is a son of Christopher and Miriam (McNeel) Beard, both natives of Virginia. In tracing the early history of the ancestors of Dr. Beard on both paternal and maternal sides, the biographer finds material for many pages of interesting matter, for the Beards and McNeels, with their forebears, have been prominently identified with the settlement and development of Greenbrier and adjacent counties from early days. John Beard, the great-grandfather of Dr. Beard, was of Scotch-Irish extraction, and made his first home in America in Pennsylvania, but later removed to Augusta County, Virginia, and from there to Greenbrier County, his advent antedating the Revolutionary War period. He was a man of bold, adventurous spirit, and his courage was frequently needed in his contests with the Indians, his success in subduing them and regaining his property when they stole it making him famous as an Indian fighter. He married a member of the Wallace family and they reared a family, their son Samuel being the grandfather of our subject. Samuel Beard became a prominent man in Greenbrier County, where he was born after the family removed from Augusta County. He was a large farmer and twice served as high sheriff of Greenbrier County, under the law making the senior magistrate occupy that office. He married Margaret Walkup, a native of Lexington, Virginia. She lived to a great age, and Samuel himself attained the age of 80 years, dying in 1848. They reared a family of five children. Christopher Beard, the father of Dr. Beard, was born April 1, 1798, in Greenbrier County, and through life followed agricultural pursuits. He was of a quiet, thrifty nature and took no very active interest in public matters beyond performing his duties as a citizen. He died August 2, 1840, after a brief illness, at the age of 42. His widow survived until 1888, dying at the age of 82 years. She was a daughter of Abraham McNeel and his wife, who was a Miss Bridger. Abraham McNeel was born in Pocahontas County, Virginia, now West Virginia, and died there at the age of 55 years, having been married three times. Abraham McNeel was a son of John McNeel, who was born in Ireland and came to America as an immigrant to Maryland. It is related of John McNeel that on one occasion, in a slight altercation, he struck a fellow workman with a hand spike, and, thinking that he had unwittingly struck a fatal blow, started into the woods of Pocahontas County and hid himself in those wilds for some two years. By chance he met a Maryland acquaintance, who gave him the glad news that his supposed victim was not only alive and well but had helped him in "log-rolling" that very day. Mr. McNeel then returned to Maryland and there married Martha Davis, a lady of Welsh extraction. She was a zealous Methodist, a convert of Wesley, founder of the faith, and it was through her influence that her husband later erected the first log cabin for religious worship west of the Alleghany Mountains. After their marriage John McNeel and his wife moved to Pocahontas County and made their home in the woods near this early church, which in later years became the home of the noted Methodist divine, Bishop Asbury. At the time of settlement, the McNeels had no near neighbors and the Indians were still very troublesome. It is related as an example of the heroism of Mrs. McNeel that upon one occasion, while Mr. McNeel was on the border fighting Indians, a little babe was born, which died in its lonely mother's arms, and that it was her sad necessity to dig its shallow little grave and lay it to rest under the big trees, with no one to assist or comfort her. The spot hallowed by that lonely little tomb has been the burying ground of the McNeel family ever since, and it is situated near Hillsboro. Mr. McNeel became a very wealthy man for that time and prominent in local affairs. Dr. Beard was the older of the two sons born to his parents, his brother, John Abraham, dying September 10, 1861. The latter had served as lieutenant of a company in the Confederate Army until disabled by illness, and at his death his command met and passed resolutions of regret and expressed their admiration of his character. Dr. Beard spent his early years on a farm and attended the Lewisburg schools. In 1853 he graduated at the University of Virginia and secured his medical degree, later taking post-graduate courses and attending college lectures. He followed his profession at Blue Sulphur Springs, Greenbrier County, for seven years, but when the war broke out he returned to his mother to protect her property and to operate her farm. Although never officially connected with the army, Dr. Beard saw so much experience during the progress of the war, and so frequently gave his services, that he really was one of the most valued physicians and surgeons of the Confederate Army in that part of the State. He continued his private practice, which was of the most arduous description, covering so large a territory but was never too tired or too busy to fail to respond when he could help or alleviate the pain of a soldier, for whom he always entertained the deepest sympathy. He always carried the countersign and no face was more welcome to the lads in gray than was that of this kind, helpful, skilled physician, although his services were freely rendered. On December 12, 1855, Dr. Beard was united in marriage to Estaline M. Hamilton, who was born near Blue Sulphur Springs, Virginia, now West Virginia, and is a daughter of Jacob and Delilah (Jarrett) Hamilton. Jacob Hamilton was a native of Greenbrier County and was born and reared on the farm where he died in April, 1877, aged 82 years, his wife having passed away in 1851. Jacob Hamilton was a son of William Hamilton, who in the early Revolutionary period came alone to Western Virginia, his only tool being an axe. He cleared a spot of ground and built a cabin and lived alone in the wilderness until other settlers came and then removed to Muddy Creek, Greenbrier County. His first neighbor there was Col. John Stewart, whom he met when out hunting, and these two headed the line of settlers in Greenbrier County, long prior to the Indian massacre. Mr. Hamilton was a brave Indian fighter and appears in history as such. Dr. and Mrs. Beard have had a family of seven children, namely: Dr. Walter C., of Alderson, Monroe County, West Virginia; Lillian H., who lives at home; Delilah, who died at the age of 20 months; Margaret, who died at the age of 12 years; Philip, who died at the age of 23 years; Samuel, who resides on the old homestead; and Emma W., who lives at home. Dr. Beard and family belong to the Methodist Church. He is a valued member of the West Virginia Medical Association. His early practice entailed a daily ride, on some days of 60 miles, and still absorbs his whole time. He says he has never found time for a vacation. He is well known through many counties and enjoys warm friends in all. In politics he has always been identified with the Democratic party. ------------------------------------------------------------------- REGISTER OF DEATHS, Greenbrier County, WV (Page 33, Line No. 29) FULL-NAME: Dr. Sam'l C. Beard BIRTH-PLACE: Lewisburg DEATH-DATE: August 26, 1905 AGE-AT-DEATH: 73y-10m-23d DEATH-PLACE: Lewisburg INFORMANT: J. A. Handley (of Lewisburg) ------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Greenbrier County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/greenbrier/bios.html -------------------------------------------------------------------