Jesse M. Beard, farmer, was born December 1, 1844, and is a son of William and Mary J. (Tucker) Beard; the former was of Irish, and the latter was of English descent. Our subject’s early life was spent on the farm. He received a common school education in the county schools, and then attended college at Franklin, one term of three months. On the 8th day of March, 1863, he was united in marriage to Miss Frances A. Webb, daughter of Zachariah and Nancy A. (Huff) Webb, the former of English descent. The latter was born in Ohio, April 22, 1813. This union was blessed with the following children: Birdellah A., born January 16, 1864; Laura B., born February 21, 1866; Emma E., born October 27, 1869, and Carrie O., born April 3, 1871. The mother of these children was born February 19, 1846. Mr. and Mrs. Beard are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. In politics, Mr. Beard is a republican, casting his first presidential vote for Lincoln. He owns 212 acres of good land, 140 acres of which are in a good state of cultivation.