Richard Beard, of Trussville, Alabama, was born April 9, 1903, at Nashville, Tennessee, son of Richard and Lillian (Yeargin) Beard; grandson of Richard and Maria (Droomgoole) Beard of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and of Thomas B. and Lady (Williams) Yeargin of Nashville, Tennessee. Subject's grandfather, Richard Beard, served as a Captain in the Confederate Army.

Mr. Beard attended Albert Lee Hill Grammar School, Nashville, Tennessee, Tennessee Peabody Demonstration School, Nashville, and Fitzgerald and Clarke Military Academy, Tullahoma, Tennessee. He graduated from Washington and Lee University in 1925 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce. From 1926 to 1938 he worked with Cherokee Mills of Nashville at their Birmingham branch. In 1938 he located at Trussville, Alabama, operating Glendale Mills and Supply Co. and Glendale Farms. From 1947 to 1956 he served as councilman for Trussville. He was elected to the office of Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Industries for the term of 1967-1971. He was a Democrat and Presbyterian.

Married: September 21, 1926, Columbus, Georgia, Mary Emma, daughter of Allen Anderson and Susan Emma Pope of Columbus, Georgia. Children: 1. Richard, J. m. Joann Nicholas; 2. Edward Ewing m. Ann Harrison.

Richard Beard died on November 10, 1972.

Authorities:
Alabama Department of Archives and History, Official and Statistical Register, 1967, 43.
ADAH Surname Clippings File.