Ellsworth M. Beard, a member of the Toledo bar since 1890, his entire professional career being characterized
by steady progress, was born in Morrow county, Ohio, February 17, 1862, his parents being Philander C. and Lucetta
(Manville) Beard, both of whom were natives of Ohio and spent their lives in this state. The father at the time
of his death was the oldest Toledo attorney and had been a distinguished representative of the Ohio bar for almost
a half century. He was born in Morrow county, this state, March 4, 1829, his parents being Reuben and Eliza Beard,
who on removing from the east settled in Ohio, just after the opening of the great Northwest Territory. They were
representatives of the best type of American citizenship and while, living the circumscribed life of the very early
pioneer they still found time for mental improvement. Philander C. Beard spent his youthful days in the log cabins
of that period and experienced all of the hardships and privations incident to frontier life. His parents gave
him every opportunity possible, however, to attend the district schools and as the result of his perseverance and
determinations he worked his way steadily upward until he was qualified to teach. He then devoted several years
to the profession in Morrow and surrounding counties and still ambitious for further educational training became
a student in Oberlin College. When a year had passed he resumed the work of teaching, and becoming imbued with
a desire to enter the legal profession he devoted his leisure hours while teaching to the study of law, so that
he was admitted to the bar in 1852. In the meantime he had had some experience in the work of the courts, having
been elected justice of the peace for Bennington township in 1850. For a number of years Mr. Beard continued in
the active practice of law in Morrow, Knox and Delaware counties, there remaining until 1878, when he came to Toledo
and later with his son, Ellsworth M., organized the law firm of Beard & Beard.
It was but natural that a man of Philander C. Beard's early training and environment should become a lover of liberty
and a stanch opponent of slavery. For many years in antebellum days he was one of the strong abolitionists of this
part of the country and his home became one of the stations for the famous underground railroad whereby many a
slave was assisted on his way to freedom and liberty in Canada. Mr. Beard was equally zealous in behalf of the
temperance cause, realizing how many of the human race are practically slaves to the alcohol habit. He became a
most earnest worker in the cause of temperance and did everything in his power to further the movement, making
speeches against the liquor traffic throughout northwestern Ohio He did this even at a time when it was extremely
unpopular and had its effect upon law practice but as the spirit of temperance grew and developed his attitude
upon the question brought to him the support of many in a professional way. His life was ever characterized by
the principles of Christianity and he held membership in the Washington Street Congregational church from 1884
until his death, which occurred in 1910. He ever sought to follow the example of Him who came not to be ministered
unto but to minister and his Christian exampled remains as an inspiration and a benediction to many who knew him.
In early manhood Philander C. Beard was united in marriage to Miss Lucetta Manville, who departed this life on
January 28, 1914. They were the parents of eight children, two of whom have passed away, while those living are:
Reuben A., a minister, who is now pastor of the First Congregational church of Fargo, North Dakota; Mrs. Loma McCune
of Toledo; Vernon V., living in New York city; Charles, a resident of Pennsylvania; Roland A., located in Tulsa,
Oklahoma; and Ellsworth M. Ellsworth M. Beard has membership in the Lucas County and Ohio State Bar associations,
and merits in notable degree the respect and confidence of his colleagues and contemporaries.
On the 12th of July, 1892, Ellsworth M. Beard was Married to Miss Lillian E. Donnelly, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Bernard Donnelly of Toledo. Mr. and Mrs. Beard have three living children: William E. who is in the purchasing
department of The Toledo Chevrolet Compan; Mrs. Dorothy Aiken; and Ruth, now a student in Scott high school. In
politics Mr. Beard is a republican and he belongs to the National Union but his chief activity outside of his profession
is in connection with the church. He belongs to the Washington Congregational church and was assistant superintendent
of the Marion Lawrance Sunday school under Marion Lawrance for some twenty five years.
Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio
BY: John M. Killits, A.M., LL.D.
S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
Chicago and Toledo
Lucas County, Ohio Biographies
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