SECOND GENERATION

9. William M. Beard was born in Aug 1843 in Tennessee. He appeared on the census on 11 Jun 1880 in Saticoy Township, Ventura County, CA.⁽⁴⁸⁾ He appeared on the census on 17 Jun 1900 in Santa Paula, Ventura County, CA.⁽⁴⁹⁾ He died on 18 Aug 1902 in Ventura County, California.⁽⁵⁰⁾

In confederate pension application, Texas, #20897 approved September 17, 1900, William Beard verified Alexander Beard's civil war service, adding the following:

"My name is William Beard, an 57 years old, residence and post-office address is Santa Paula, California, was acquainted with A. Beard. He was my oldest brother, knew him from childhood. I served with him in Company I, 17th Regiment, Texas volunteers, for 3 years. He enlisted in 1862, at Belton, Bell County, Texas, and served four years. I was acquainted with his wife, Mary Ann Beard, from the time of her marriage with Alexander Beard in 1848 up to 1870, since which time I have not seen her and only know of her by letters received from her. W. Beard"

Mr. Beard Enlisted in Company I, 17th Texas Infantry, on October 18, 1861, at Houston, under Captain Hartgraw.

According to the 1900 census, William was divorced from Martha and was a constable for the city of Santa Paula.



From the Ventura Daily Democrat, Tuesday, August 19, 1902, p. 3:

DEATH OF EX-CONSTABLE BEARD

After a lingering illness, William Beard, a well known and respected citizen of Santa Paula, was released from suffering, passing away at the County hospital, yesterday (Aug. 18, 1902) at the age of 59 years.

Funeral arrangements have not as yet been completed.

He was married to Martha U. Tompkins (daughter of John G. Tompkins and Mary L. Woodruff) in 1872. Martha U. Tompkins was born on 2 May 1850 in Galveston County, Texas. She appeared on the census on 25 Apr 1910 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.⁽⁵¹⁾ She appeared on the census on 5 Jan 1920 in Spokane, Washington.⁽⁵²⁾ She appeared on the census on 9 Apr 1930 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.⁽⁵³⁾ She died on 28 Mar 1935 in Los Angeles County, California.⁽⁵⁴⁾ She was cremated on 30 Mar 1935 in Los Angeles Crematory, Los Angeles County, California. William M. Beard and Martha U. Tompkins had the following children:

+43 i. Mahulda Jane "Janie" Beard.
+44 ii. Franklin Beard.
45 iii. Charles Augustus Beard was born on 5 Jul 1877 in Santa Paula, Ventura County, CA.⁽⁵⁵⁾ He appeared on the census on 19 Jun 1900 in Township #3, Kern County, CA. ⁽⁵⁶⁾ He appeared on the census on 22 Apr 1910 in Precinct #11, Crook County, Wyoming.⁽⁵⁷⁾ He died on 1 Sep 1933 in Lancaster, Los Angeles County, California. ⁽⁵⁸⁾ He was buried in Lancaster Cemetery, Los Angeles County, California. He was a cowboy, at cattle ranches.


Per death certificate, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.