Mary E. Beard 1848-1912

BEARD

Posted By: Kathy Weaver (email)
Date: 2/5/2020 at 14:36:54

Villisca Review
Villisca, Iowa
Thursday, April 25, 1912, page 4

Mrs. A. G. Beard died at her home in the southwest part of town Saturday morning, April 10, 1912, at nine o’clock, after an illness of 12 weeks. Her illness and death was due to a complication of diseases of the heart and stomach.

Mary Eliza Ashmore was born in Sciota County, Ohio, May 2, 1848 and was there for 63 years, 11 months, and 18 days old at the time of her death. She was married to Asa G. Beard, February 19, 1867 at Hillsboro, Ohio. They came to Illinois in 1868 and to Iowa in October 1872, and have lived in Villisca ever since with the exception of a few years in Clarinda at different times.

Mrs. Beard was the mother of 13 children, seven of whom are living. They are Bert and Lon of Villisca, Harry of Omaha, Leslie and Claude of Clarinda, and Mrs. Ada Craig and Miss Edith Beard of Villisca. She is also survived by her husband, two brothers, Asa Ashmore of Creston and Charles Ashmore of Hillsboro, Ohio, one sister, Mrs. Sadie Knotts living in Ohio, 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Besides her own children she has had the care and rearing of two of her grandchildren.

Mrs. Beard suffered much throughout all the weeks of her illness but as always cheerful and jovial and always enjoyed a visit by her friends. She was a member of the Methodist Church, having joined in 1867, the first year of her married life, and has lived in the Christian faith until her death. In the last days of her sickness, she realized that her time was exceedingly short and talked to each member of the family regarding their future life. She requested her friends to tell the people of the church that she was saved and that she was happy. She was a true and noble wife, a kind and loving mother, and an obliging neighbor. Her life was devoted to her husband, children, grandchildren, and their memories of her will be inspirations for the better things of life. The floral offerings were beautiful. Some who sent for flowers were disappointed by not getting them, but the act was fully appreciated by the family.
The funeral services were held at the home Sunday afternoon at three o’clock by Rev. J. W. Taylor. The interment was in the Villisca Cemetery. The five sons of the deceased and a nephew, Austin Ashmore, of Creston acted as pall bearers.