John J. Beard was born in Johnson County, Ind., December 15, 1858. He is a son of John W. and Jane (Sutor) Beard. The father was born January 16, 1813, and while he was yet an infant, his parents emigrated westward from North Carolina, and located in what is now Clark Township, Johnson County, before the State of Indiana was admitted to the Union. Our subject was reared in Johnson County, and his youth was spent on the farm, and farming has been his life pursuit. He received a common school education, and on June 14, 1885, he was married to Nancy A. Boucher, daughter of William and Mary (Coffen) Boucher. This union was blessed by two children (twins) viz: Ora and Oda, born April 13, 1886. The mother of these children was born September 23, 1867. She is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. Mr. Beard is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. In politics, he is a republican, casting his first presidential vote for Garfield. He owns 460 acres of good land, well improved.