The late Mr. John Beard, whose death occurred at Jarratt on March 31st was probably the last survivor of the pioneers who settled in this district in 1831 and 1832, at least those who were old enough at that time to remember their coming.

Mr Beard was born in December, 1818, and was therefore thirteen years old when he came to Canada, with his parents, and in his ninety seventh year when he died.

They were six weeks crossing the ocean, but the journey by land, by way of Toronto and Holland Landing took even longer, and when they arrived at their future home in Medonte it was on the 5th of June, 1832, it was just three month from the day they had sailed from England.

Orillia was then an Indian village, with only a few white people on the outskirts.

When the McKenzie rebellion broke out in 1837, Mr. Beard went to Toronto and joined the force under Col. Thorne. Following this, he got a position as Sheriff’s Officer, which he held for several years. During his term of office the trial of the Markham gang took place. He used to recall standing guard while the blacksmith riveted the shackles on the prisoners.

Maggie Morrow, then of Reach, and in her twelfth year, and afterward Mrs. Hiram Bernhardt, was the most important witness in this famous trial. The court house was then on Church street, Toronto. Shortly after this trial, Mr. Beard decided to return to farming, and bought and cleared a farm on the eleventh concession of Medonte. Later on he returned to the old homestead, where he lived for the remainder of his active life, and where he died.

Mr. Beard was twice married. His first wife died in 1847, leaving one son. His second wife, Miss Elizabeth Martin, of Markham, predeceased him by twelve. He is survived by four sons and five daughters- John and James of Auburn, N.Y.; Mrs F? Rix, Orillia; Mrs. JJ Rix of Wetaskiwin; Mrs. Rosser, Toronto; Mrs. W. J. Rix, Jarratt, Miss Beard, at home; Albert of Carley; and Arthur on the homestead.

Mr. Beard was a member of the Church of England and a staunch Conservative. He was ambitious and energetic. He was a good type of the pioneers who opened up this district to civilisation. He had a retentive memory, and to the end could clearly recall and relate incidents of his boyhood.

He could distinctly remember the accession, coronation, and marriage of Queen Victoria. He lived during the reigns of six British sovereigns.

Though the roads were in bad condition, the funeral was largely attended. The service was conducted by Rev. W. J. Carson, who spoke impressively from John 3. 16. Al of his children were able to attend except Mrs. J.J. Rix of Wetaskiwin.

Others from a distance were Mr. And Mrs. W. H. Anderson, and Miss Anderson, of Galt, and Messrs. Harvie and Gordon Rosser of Toronto, Mrs. S.S, Clarke, of Calgary a favourite niece, had visited him before his death. The pallbearers were his four sons and Messrs. W. J. Rix of Jarratt, and Matthew Baird.

Mrs. J. W. Beard, whose death occured on Tuesday, September 23, was one of our few remaining pioneer settlers. She was born in the Township of Markham upwards of seventy years ago. She was the daughter of the late Moses and Catherine Martin, and was married in the forties to Mr. J. W. Beard, who survives her, with three sons and five daughters- John of Auburn, N.Y.; Albert and Arthur of Jarratt's Corners; Mrs,R. Rix Orillia; Mrs. John Rix, Wetaskiwin; Mrs J. Ross(er), of Toronto, Mrs W Rix, Jarratt's Corners, and Miss Louise, who lives with here parents. Mrs. Beard lived all her married life in Medonte. She had thirteen brothers and sisters, of whon seven survive her; Moses Martin of Woodstock; Jacob of Toronto; John of Rapid City, N. W. T.; Robert who is in Michigan; Mrs Thonton of Oshawa; Mrs. Bronshop of London; Mrs Dietz, who is in Illinois. The funeral, to St Georges Fairvalley, was very largely attended. The service was conducted by the Rev. Canon Greene, of Orillia, and by the Rev.J Creighton, of Cartwright, who had ministered to the congregation of which Mrs. Beard was a member at the time he was a curate to the Rev. T. B. Reid, about forty years ago. Mrs. Beard had been a great sufferer from asthma, and death came as a release to one who had an assured hope of a happy hereafter.

On December 28, 1904, he was married to Mary Ellen Thompson of Craighurst. She predeceased him on November 1, 1932.

On August 10 1938, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Susan Graham. She died in the summer of 1943.

Until 1944, he farmed on the Beard homestead at Jarratt. Then he gave up farming and went to Wetaskiwin , Alberta, were he was united in marriage to Mrs. Bertha Ellis on October 29,1944.

She survived him along with his four sons and three daughters. They are, Mrs. C. L. Simmerson (Gertrude) and Mrs. H. C. Thompson (Edna) of Orillia; Mrs. Percy Oakley (Ethel) of Foxmead, Rix Beard of Carley, and William, Hilton, and James of Jarratt.

There is one remaining member of his family, his brother, Mr. Albert Beard of Carley.

The funeral was held from the Doolittle funeral home on Monday, December 19. Internment was made in the family plot at St. George’s cemetery, Fairvalley, Medonte. The pallbearers were Percy Brimage, George Bloomfield, James Cook, Milford Beard, Norman Teskey and Matthew Biard.

The death of Mary Ellen Thompson, beloved wife of Mr Arthur Beard occoured at her home in, Jarratt, on Tuesday, November 1st.
Mrs. Beard was born at Craighurst on Oct 11, 1882 and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Logan Thompson.
Her mother was one of the daughters of the late Thomas Rix one of the well known and highly respected pioneers.
Twenty Eight years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Beard were married, and besides her husband she leaves four sons and three daughters, William, Hilton, James, and Gertrude, at home; Mr. Rix Beard, Toronto; Mrs. Percy Oakley (Ethel), of Lovering, and Mrs. Harry Thompson (Edna) of Gamebridge.
The funeral was held on Thursday afternoon to St. Georges Fairvally, where servce was conducted by the Rev. W. J. Province.
The pallbearers were her four sons and two brothers, Mr. Thos. Thopmson of Toronto, and Mr. George Thompson of Dalston. One sister Mrs Wellington Walker of East Palistine Ohio, also attended the funeral.

Will dated April 21, 1881
Value $2401.24
Executor Chisthopher Shire, Twp. of Medonte farmer --and-- my son Joseph Beard, Medonte, Carpenter.
My son John Beard, Oro W 1/2 Lot 1 in the 11 Conc of Oro, subject to right of my wife Jane Beard having use of 2 rooms in my present house and $52. per year.
To John- old team of horses ( Bess and Charlie)
To my daughter Matilda Beard - Canadian Sewing Machine, my melodeon and bedding and bedstead used by her.
My children
Sarah Shire, wife of C. Shire, Medonte
Mary Luck wife of Samual Luck of Mara
Joseph Beard Medonte
Charlotte Tudhope wife of George Tudhope, Oro
Matilda Beard